English 2343
Syllabus and Guidelines
Fall 2015
Prerequisites: English 1301 and 1302
Instructor: Jennifer Decker
Course CRN: 75312
Time: 8:00am-9:30am MW (Northline) (Pinemont)
Email: Jennifer.decker@hccs.edu
Office Hours: Before and after class and by appointment
Textbooks:
1- Lee A. Jacobs., ed. The Bedford Introduction to Drama
2- Any MLA handbook that explains Documentation (online or electronic is fine)
Other Materials required for class:
Loose leaf paper or spiral notebook
Pens or pencils
Credit Hours- 3
English Literature Student Learning Outcomes
1.
Explain and illustrate stylistic characteristics of representative works
2.
Connect representative works to human and individual values in historical and
social contexts
3.
Demonstrate knowledge of Drama in Literature.
4.
Analyze literary texts in the genre of Drama .
5.
Critique and Interpret representative literary works
6.
Critique Drama in performance.
GRADING SCALE
A (90-100)=Exceptionally fine work; superior in mechanics, style and content
B (80-89) = above average work; superior in one or two of the above areas
C (70-79)= average quality work; good.
D (60-69) = below average work; noticeably weak in mechanics, style or content
F (below 59)= failing work.
Grade Percentages
20%- Essay 1
20% Essay 2
20% In class assignments/quizzes
20% Midterm
20% Play critique (this is your final project.. can be done anytime during the semester).
Extra Credit
Extra Credit (5 points to your in-class average) will be given for one of the following
1)
Printing your own syllabus from the learning web
2)
Completing the class evaluation for my class
Late Work
No late or makeup work will be permitted on the in-class work or the quizzes. Missing
too many classes will affect your overall grade in the class. Essays may be made up, but I
will not accept essays more than 2 weeks late.
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this course. Plagiarism is the intentional use of
someone else’s work as your own. This can include copying a friend’s homework,
copying directly from a secondary source without proper documentation, or copy and
pasting from an internet source. This also includes buying pre-written papers on the
internet. If you plagiarize, you will receive an F on the assignment, and might fail the
course. Plagiarism can also result in expulsion from the college. If you are unclear of the
boundaries of plagiarism, or think you might be plagiarizing unintentionally, please see
me.
My Class policy: I feel that a classroom in which each student feels free to express
himself is a key ingredient in quality learning. I do not force anyone to speak up with
ideas or opinions of the reading, but encourage each student to do so. You will not be
wrong, and your ideas might enlighten the rest of us on something we didn’t notice about
the reading. Completing the assignments given for homework will be key in your success
in the class, whether you are speaking in the open discussions or just listening. My only
requirement is that each person in the class remains respectful of everyone else at all
times. Keep cell phones on silent or vibrate, and leave the room if you must take a call.
No racial slurs, sexist remarks or personal comments are appropriate in our learning
environment. If you come in late, come in quietly and please do not interrupt me if I am
lecturing when you walk in. I am very respectful of my students, and I expect the same in
return. With these policies adhered to, we will have a fun and enriching experience in this
course.
Attendance
According to state law, students are only allowed to miss 6 class hours in order to receive
credit. This equals 4 absences. Absences beyond this may result in your withdrawal from
the course. I have the ability to drop you, and may do so if I see fit, However YOU are
responsible for dropping yourself if you decide not to continue the course. If you decide
to stop coming to class, you may receive an F for the course
Students with disabilities
Any student with a documented disability (physical or otherwise) needs to arrange
reasonable accommodation must contact the Disability Support Services (DSS)
Counselor at the beginning of the semester. 713-718-8420.
Other Student Information
English tutoring is available free of charge in the Learning Center. If you need additional
help with assignments, please take advantage of this.
Course Calendar (subject to change by Instructor)
Week 1
August 24- syllabus /diagnostic writing
August 26- intro to course/Drama/Elements of Drama
HOMEWORK: Get Books
Week 2
August 31 Greek Drama
HOMEWORK: Read Lysistrata by Aristophanes, Prologue to beginning of scene 3
(page 157-169)
Sept 2- quiz, discuss play, Greek Drama
HOMEWORK: Finish Lysistrata by Aristophanes
Week 3
Sept 7 – Labor Day Holiday
Sept 9- quiz, discuss readings intro to Elizabethan theatre and Shakespeare
HOMEWORK: Read Hamlet , by William Shakespeare, Acts I- II (329-350)
Week 4
Sept 14 – quiz, discuss readings, talk about seeing plays and play critique assignment
HOMEWORK: Read Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Act III –IV
Sept 16- quiz, Discuss readings, sound clips and video for Hamlet
HOMEWORK: Read Hamlet , Act V
Week 5
Sept 21- quiz, discuss Readings , Assign Essay 1, Writing about Drama
Homework: work on Essay 1
Sept 23- Activities in Class
Homework: Work on Essay 1
Week 6
Sept 28– Film (for a grade)
Sept 30- ESSAY 1 DUE - finish film (for a grade)
Homework: Read A Doll’s House, by Henrik Ibsen Act I- (pg 685-697)
Week 7
Oct 5- quiz, Discuss Readings, Discuss Turn of the Century Drama
Homework: Finish A Doll’s House, Act II (pg 697-714)
October 7- quiz, discuss readings, Midterm review
Week 8
Oct 12- talk about short plays, writing about drama
Oct 14- Midterm exam
HOMEWORK: Read Raisin in the Sun Act I
Week 9Oct 19 – quiz, discuss play Early to Mid 20th Century Drama, Homework: Read A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, act 2 (1242-1263)
Oct 21- quiz, discuss readings , Assign Essay 2
Homework: Work on Essay 2
Week 10
Oct 26- Film 2 for a grade
Oct 28 film 2 for a grade
HOMEWORK: HOMEWORK: Read How I Learned to Drive
Week 11
Nov 2- quiz, discussion, Talk about Contemporary Drama, in class reading
Nov 4- Essay 2 due- quiz, discussion of reading.
HOMEWORK: Read Ruined by Lynn Nottage, Act I (pg 1815-1830)
Week 12
Nov 9-, quiz, discussion
HOMEWORK: Finish Ruined.
Nov 11– quiz, discussion, talk about final project
Week 13
Nov 16- In class reading of a play for a grade
Nov 18- in class reading of a play for a grade
Week 14
Nov 23- In class activities
Nov 25- THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Week 15
Nov 30- film LATE PAPER DEADLINE (I will not accept late essays after this date. No
exceptions)
Dec 2- film and discussion for a grade Last day of class
Week 16
Dec 7- Final Project due. No late projects after your class time (9:30) on this date.