Professor S. Simon
English 1301
Office : FAC 318 Phone : 713-718-6301 Office Hours : By appointment
Text: The Norton Reader The New McGraw /Hill Handbook
The Great Gatsby
Class Schedule: Notice: This is not the Bible; it is subject to change .
Week 1
Introduction to class; diagnostic exam
Week 2
Review the Idea of Writing
Week 3
Human Nature Readings
: P. Theroux, “Being a Man,” ; Scott Russell Sanders,
“Looking at Women,”; What is a Homosexual?” Andrew Sullivan; In-class reading responses
Week 4
Get Major Assignment #1; Cultural Critique Readings : “Is America Falling
Apart?” Anthony Burgess; “Tight Jeans and Channia Chorris,” Sonia Shah;
“Black Men and Public Space,” Brent Staples; “Get a Knife, Get a Dog, but Get
Rid of Guns,”
Week 5
In-class reading responses; Continue Readings
Major Assignment # 1 Due ;
Week 6
Continue readings; In-class responses; Get Major Assignment #2
Week 7
Prepare for Midterm; Major Assignment #2 Due
Week 8
MIDTERM --- Major Assignment #3
Week 9
Readings from philosophy and Religion : “Salvation,” Langston Hughes;
“Mythology,” Robert Graves; In-class reading responses
Week 10

Watch movie DOGMA
Get Major Assignment #4
Week 11
Understanding Ethics: “That One man’s Profit is Another’s Loss,” Michel de
Montaingne; Lord Chesterfield’s “Letter to His Son,” ;Johnathan Rauch “In
Defense of Prejudice”; in-class response
Week 12
Class supplements of Reading Movies ; Lecture on F. Scott Fitzgerald
Major Essay #5 Due; Take Notes; watch films The Great Gatsby and G
Major Assignment #4 Due
Week 14
Get Major Assignment for Final Exam ( Great Gatsby graded 2x)
Week 15
Turn in Final
Week 16
Final Exam Week
I mentioned on the top of this schedule, this is not the Bible; it is subject to change. However, if dates do not coincide with our actual days in the classroom, I will be aware and acknowledge to you. Please understand, I do not accept late papers . I do give you ample time to complete an assignment. Please have your readings read before you enter class so we can continue smoothly. I ask you to please keep a line of communication open with me, and perhaps, a fellow classmate. These little requests are very important and conducive to the success you will have in the fun, easy and A-making class. Let’s have fun.