2014 Spring ENG: 2301 pg. 1
WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Fairbanks Campus
School of Languages and Literature
English 2301
Wayland Baptist University Mission Statement: Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students
in an academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for professional
success, and service to God and humankind.
Course Name: ENGL 2301 English Literature
Term and Year: Spring 2014
Full Name of Instructor: Alyson Johns-Robinson
Contact Information:
Phone: 907-385-1084
E-mail: alyson.johns-robinson@wayland.wbu.edu
Office hours are by appointment: My policy is to be available for my students. If you need to meet with
me before class, after class, or at another location such as the Wayland office, I am able to do so. Please
feel free to call me between 9:30 am (after my first cup of coffee) and 10:30 pm. I do not check my e-mail
regularly. If you have question, please call or text me.
Class Meeting Time and Location:
Location: Feb. 24-May 17th North Pole Baptist Church
Thursday: 6:00 pm (18:00 hours)-10:00 pm (22:00 hours).
Catalog Description: Selected studies in important works of English literature beginning with
Beowulf
Prerequisite: English 1302
Required Textbook and Resources:




Computer and Word
The Norton Anthology English Literature (Ninth Edition) ISBN-13: 9780393919609
Diana Hacker, A Writer’s Reference, 7th Edition + Writing in the Disciplines.
ISBN:9780312601430
Please use the correct edition of the text book. Students who do not have the correct edition
will lose participation points.
Optional Materials:
Beowulf: Barron Graphic Classic: ISBN 13-978-0764144493
Course Outcome Competencies:
Upon the conclusion of this course, students actively engaged in learning will be able to:
1. Discuss a representative selection of canonical British literary works.
2. Analyze these works’ themes.
3. Differentiate the cultural and historical contexts (periods) in which the works were written.
4. Demonstrate comprehension of limited scholarship on an assigned literary work.
5. Articulate this comprehension in a research essay.
The more the student puts in the course, the higher his or her outcome competencies will be.
2014 Spring ENG: 2301 pg. 2
Self-Initiation: Students must expect some individual initiation in their own learning process. The
professor is available to guide you, provide lectures, and walk you through the course. Students should
expect to engage is some outside research if needed as research is a part of academic writing. The
Professor will assist students with any difficulties; however, students are the main motivator in their
learning process.
Attendance Requirements: As stated in the Wayland Catalog, students enrolled at one of the University’s
external campuses should make every effort to attend all class meetings. All absences must be explained
to the instructor, who will then determine whether the omitted work may be made up. When a student
reaches that number of absences considered by the instructor to be excessive, three, the instructor will so
advise the student and file an unsatisfactory progress report with the campus executive director. Any
student who misses 25 percent or more of the regularly scheduled class meetings may receive a grade of F
in the course. Additional attendance policies for each course, as defined by the instructor in the course
syllabus, are considered a part of the University’s attendance policy.
Any student, who does not miss any class, except for documented TDY, will receive a 15 point bonus on
his or her final grade.
The instructor encourages students to establish a “study buddy” so that if a student does miss class, the
student does not get behind.
Life happens and if there are any extenuating circumstances, please speak to the instructor (please
remember that communication is your responsibility and explaining issues after the fact prevents any
assistance). Homework assignments, especially Blackboard assignments, are expected to be turned in
regardless of absence.
Disability Statement: “In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is the
policy of Wayland Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded from
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or
activity in the university. The Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as the coordinator of students
with a disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806) 2913765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for accommodations.”
Course Requirements and Grading Criteria:
Grading
Grading will be done on a points scale:
900-1000 A
800-900 B
Grading Rubric
Participation:
Presentations:
Response Papers:
700-800 C
600-700 D
Below 600 F
100 points
300 total
225 total
Research/Textual analysis paper:
Final:
300 points
75 points
*Late assignments will receive a 10% point deduction per day on the assignment grade. Late assignments
4 days late will not be accepted with the exception of a documented military TDY or exercise. If there are
extenuating circumstances, please speak to me. My ESP is broken.
** The more a student devotes to his or her learning, the more the student learns and is able to apply his or
her knowledge to the world at large and his or her academic career.
2014 Spring ENG: 2301 pg 3
Discussion: Because of the nature of the class, students are encouraged to engage actively in class
discussion and dialogue and support their analyses. Participation is defined as contributing to class
discussion, asking questions, debating ethically and professionally with your peers in both smaller groups
and at the classroom level-not just showing up to class. When engaging in class discussion, the professor
expects students to respect the views of others. Every student (and culture) has the right to be treated
with dignity. The instructor believes that all appropriate analyses are valid if they can be supported by
the text and research and do not violate another person’s dignity or esteem. The instructor’s philosophy is
that the classroom is a platform where students learn to debate and discuss differing opinions and research
regardless of the professor’s point-of-view. Both class discussion and smaller group discussions will be a
part of the semester so that students who do better in smaller groups have the same opportunity to excel as
others.
Extra Credit: There is no out-of-class extra credit. Some group work is counted as extra credit and
cannot be made up. If a student finds a Blackboard error, that student will earn +.25 points on his or her
final grade.
Written Assignments/Response Papers: A Response/Literary Analysis/Textual Analysis/ paper is the
student’s response to the weekly assigned reading. All assignments are expected to be submitted in MLA
citation format as assigned and are at least 350 words. If a student is provided an “opinion” assignment,
the opinion is not graded; however, the ability to defend and provide logical, and sometimes scientific,
support for the opinion is expected and graded. Written Assignments are submitted via Blackboard
through SafeAssign and are not graded unless they are submitted via SafeAssign. Late assignments will
receive a 10% point deduction per day (not a 24 hour period) on the assignment grade. After an
assignment is 4 days late, said assignment is not accepted. Do not e-mail me your papers, I will not grade
them.
Reading Assignments: Reading assignments are paramount to textual analysis. Students are expected to
read the assigned work before class as indicated on syllabus and engage in active reading. Reading
assignments are usually limited to 40 pages. Students should be prepared to discuss styles, argue
positions, critique and analyze readings. The instructor believes that all opinions, views and literary
analysis are valid and important to the class and each student deserves the right to be treated with
dignity and respect regardless of differing opinions. Whilst engaging in class discussion, students are
expected to respect differing views and opinion of classmates.
Research Paper: A 12-15 page research paper will be due at the end of the semester. Topics must be
approved.
Presentations: There will be group presentations during the semester. The professor will provide some
time in class to work together; however, the professor expects student initiative.
Tests, Quizzes and In-Class Work: There will be a midterm and quizzes based upon readings,
vocabulary and lectures, however, there will be NO FINAL EXAM. The Research paper will act in
lieu of a final. At times, there will be unannounced quizzes . Quizzes cannot be made up. s. Students will
be doing in-class work and should be prepared by bringing the correct book to class each night.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated. Students will be expected to sign a form regarding
plagiarism. A student who engages in plagiarism will be automatically given an F for the course.
2014 Spring ENG: 2301 pg 4
Literary Writing : Papers written in any English class are written in SAE as if they were to be submitted
to a literary academic journal. The instructor will provide more information on the expectations of literary
writing. Therefore, directions for each essay assignment are provided so that the student can achieve the
goal of literary writing.
Professor/Student Meetings and Communication and Philosophy: If a student needs to speak to the
instructor, the instructor is available. Please note: student/instructor meetings and discussions are
confidential. Because of the hours of class, many times students need to meet before class or after. Please
respect the confidentiality of your fellow students. If you cannot meet either before class or after, I am
available by phone from 9:30 am (after my coffee) until around 10:30 pm. Please feel free to call at home.
I usually arrive an hour before class and can meet with any student during that time and am willing to stay
after class.
Technology
The instructor will be using technology on a weekly basis.
Do not bring your laptop to class. If you do happen to bring your laptop, please leave it OFF.
Turn off your cell phone and do not text your friends during class or you will be asked to leave.
Please keep your cell phone off the desk/table, do not pull it out during class, or leave it in your lap.
*If there are extenuating circumstances please speak to the instructor before or after class.
Research Requirements
Response Papers:
Optional: 1-2 JSTOR Articles, Project Muse or EBCOHOST Peer-Reviewed Articles
Optional: 1-2 Books
NO INTERNET SITES OR SOURCES MAY BE USED FOR ANY RESEARCH OR ASSIGNMENTS
Presentation and Research Paper Requirements:
3-5 JSTOR Articles, Project Muse or EBCOHOST Peer-Reviewed Articles
2-3 Books
NO INTERNET SOURCES MAY BE USED FOR ANY RESEARCH OR ASSIGNMENTS
Tentative Schedule (based upon the 9th Norton Edition) and Journal Readings:
The reading schedule is designed to introduce the student to English Literature.A variety of genres will be scheduled
throughout the semester. Poems (p), drama (d) and apologia/essays (a) are scheduled to explore the wide range of
topics and social elements. Students will be exposed to some literary theory. Drama will be read and viewed.
Week 1: Feb. 27
Lecture: Early Christian Writing and Allegory
Homework Assigned at the end of class
Bede Ecclesiastical History pg. 29-32
Dream of the Rood (p) pg. 32-36
The Wanderer (p) pg. 107
Journal Article
Write Response Paper
Week 2: March 6
Lecture: Epics and Warrior Society Response Paper Due
Homework Assigned at the end of class
2014 Spring ENG: 2301 pg 5
Beowulf (lines 1-835) pg. 36 and graphic novel
Chaucer’s Prologue (lines 1-860) pg. 193
Journal Article: Meeham: Son of Sam Son of Cain pg. 1-6
Cucalain’s Boyhood Deeds pg. 112-116
Write Response Paper
Week 3: March 13 Movie Tristian and Ysolt
Early Irish History: The Archetype of Heroes: Response Paper Due
Begin Group Work on Characterization of Pilgrims
Homework Assigned at the end of class
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight pg. 135-161 188 (note, longer read in 2 sections)
Death of Tristian and Ysolt (on-line under Reading Assignments)
Finish Group work
Spring Break March 17-21. No Homework Assigned
Week 4: March 27
Group Work Presentation Due
Lecture Hagiography:
Homework Assigned at the end of class
Julian of Norwich pg. 290-293
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight pg. 162-188
Book of Margery Kemp pg. 294
Journal Article
Write a Response Paper
Week 5April 3
Lecture: Drama and Humanism: Response Paper Due
2nd Shepherd’s Play pg. 300
Homework Assigned at the end of class
Sir Thomas Malory, Morte d’Arthur pg. 328-343
Week 6: April 10
Lecture: Of Kings and Knaves: Mid-term
Homework Assigned at the end of class
The 16th c. pg. 349-372
Lady Jane Grey (on-line in Reading Assignments)
Elizabeth I pg. 392-398
Write a Response Paper
Week 7 April 17
Lecture: Renaissance and English Drama: Response Paper Due
Homework Assigned at the end of class
Shakespeare Sonnets: pg. 539 (p)1, 65, 97, 105, 116, 130, 146, 147
Marlowe: Dr. Faust (d) Act 1-5
Aemila Lanyer: (a) readings pg. 700-705
2014 Spring ENG: 2301 pg 6
Week 8: April 24
Lecture: The Religious and Political Background of England: Response Paper Due
Movie: King Lear
Homework Assigned at the end of class
Marlowe: Dr. Faust Act 6-13
Journal Article
Begin Group Work of John Milton Paradise Lost
Begin Reading John Milton Paradise Lost Book I: 800-841
Week 9: May 1
Science and Philosophy of the Renaissance: Response Paper Due
Group Work Milton Paradise Lost
Homework Assigned at the end of class
John Donne: (p) A Valediction Forbidding Mourning pg. 679 Elegy 16 and 19 pg. 684-686
John Milton, Areopagitica pg. 786-795
Continue Paradise Lost: Book 5 pg. 870-875 and . Book 10 pg. 911-930
Week 10 May 8
Group Presentation of Paradise Lost
Homework Assigned at the end of class
Hobbs (a) From Leviathan pg. 726-729
Thomas Gray, (p) Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard pg. 1395
Mary Wollenstonecraft (a) A Vindication on the Rights of Women pg. 1506-1524
Virgina Woolfe, (a) A Room of One’s Own (on-line reading)
Journal Article
Week 11: May15
Group Presentations of Paradise Lost continued
Research Paper Due
Discuss Week 10 readings