Course Syllabus
English 2344--Introduction to Fiction
With a focus on American Indian Literature
___________________________________________________
Contact Information:
Leslie Downs 894-9611 ext. 2430
ldowns@southplainscollege.edu
Communications Bld. office: 103B Levelland Campus
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday 10:00 to 1:00;Friday 10:00 to 12, on line, and by
appointment.
If you have technical difficulties, contact:
Email: blackboard@southplainscollege.edu OR
Phone: 806-716-2180; ask for Brooke Walker bawalker@southplainscollege.edu
Course Description:
Literature of the American Indian introduces students to an important,
indigenous part of American literature. For this class, the term "literature,"
rather than being restricted to the printed medium, also includes oral literature.
Taking such an approach, this class offers a broader view of the literary field,
and will cause us to reconsider our assumptions of "literature," "literary
standards," and "fiction."
We also will discover that literature and the culture which produces it are
dynamically connected. So, we will often cover material that relates to various
tribal histories and cultures in order to better understand the literature.
And finally, we are going to take a look at fiction and the elements that comprise
it from a different perspective than the traditional one long held by Western
literary traditionalists. Hopefully, doing so will give us an even greater
appreciation for literature in general and fiction in particular, and cause us to
realize the dynamic condition of the field of literature, and to other art forms.
The required text for the course:
Bundled Native American Fiction, books 1 & 2. Pearson, 2015.
You may purchase your books through the SPC bookstore
Levelland: 806-894-9611 ex 2399; Reese, 806-894-9611 ex 4609.
They can also be purchased online at www.sp-lev-bookstore.com or at www.spreesebookstore.com
Required Computer and its abilities:
You need a computer that connects to the Internet and allows you to browse the World Wide
Web with appropriate hardware and software resources
Computer Skills Needed:
You should know how to send and open e-mail, how to write a word document and then attach
it to a message (or on the bulletin board), how to click on links I provide for you, how to post
on a bulletin board, and how to check your work through a spell/grammar program before
submitting it.
Knowing how to compose a power point presentation is necessary.
Learning Objectives:
After successfully completing this course, the student, as evaluated by the
instructor:
1. Will be aware of the variety and unique nature of American Indian Literature.
2. Will appreciate the diversity and aesthetic qualities of American Indian
Literature.
3. Will be able to identify major fictional literary elements, structural devices,
and strategies within literary works.
4. Will be able to analyze literary elements within a literary work.
5. Will be able to write essays over literary works in a substantive manner.
6. Will have a better understanding of the structure of traditional essay form.
Course Structure:
Assessments
The assessment tool contains all the quizzes and tests for the semester. I open
them as they become due. Usually, you have about 3 days to take a reading quiz
BEFORE it is due, so do NOT forget to get it done! It usually will close about 2
pm the day it is due. I do not accept late wor.
Turn It In
Turn it In is the tool in which you place longer assignments. This tool checks for
plagiarism from a wide data base from various sources, and is quite
comprehensive. It will show me if you plagiarize! Remember to cite sources that
you use, even if you paraphrase. Go to easybib.com for help with setting up
citations, or ask me. We use MLA style in this class.
Policies
PLEASE PLACE THE ASSIGNMENTS WHERE THEY
ARE SUPPOSED TO BE. FOR INSTANCE, TURN IT IN
ASSIGNMENTS NEEDS TO BE IN THE TURN IT IN
TOOL, ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE ASSIGNMENT TOOL
NEED TO BE PLACED IN THE ASSIGNMENT TOOL,
ETC. INCORRECT PLACEMENT IS AN AUTOMATIC 25
POINT PENALTY!
I will not accept any recycled papers (papers you have
written for another class). You will receive a 0 for the
assignment, and not have a chance to re-submit it.
You must stay current with the class!
I do not
accept late work.
Attendance: After the 5th absence, you will be dropped from the course, unless
there are substantial and documented reasons why you miss. School functions
will NOT count as an absence, but you are still responsible for the work you
miss and must be submitted before the next class period. : In order to do well
in this course, attendance and participation in class are imperative!
Class
attendance records will be kept every class day. Students who are borderline (59,
69, 79, 89) at the end of the semester will be moved up a letter grade if they have
2 or fewer absences. The final will be optional for students who have an A or B
average OR 2 or fewer absences (unless the average is below a C .)
After
five absences, students will be administratively
dropped from the course.
Class Rules:
Violating a class rule at any time during the semester, even the last week of
class, can result in a student's being permanently expelled from class with an F.
Tardiness and leaving class early are not permitted. Both behaviors are
disruptive and rude to the entire class. Tardiness will count as ½ an absence;
2 tardies = 1 absence; tardy means being late 5 minutes or more.
2. If you carry beepers or cell phones, turn them off or on vibrate during
class. You may not leave your phone on your desk or in your lap; they MUST
be put away!
3. All work which students submit for grading—homework exercises,
journals, essays, paragraphs, portfolios, etc. must be free of any other
marks in order to be accepted for grading and/or credit. Any writing,
doodling, marking, or profanities written anywhere on the assignment will
automatically disqualify it as a completed assignment, will not be accepted,
and will not be graded.
4. You should not be talking when I am speaking. You should not be talking
when a classmate is asking a question or presenting an assignment.
5. Drinks must have lids or caps. NO food is allowed!
6. Do not download programs to the computers. Do not change ANY of the
settings on the computers. Only save to the desktop when instructed to do
so.
7. You need to stay on task; you should not be doing anything other than
the assignment.
8. You should not make inappropriate remarks during online writing
sessions, particularly those about classmates or the class.
9. No rude behavior towards me or your classmates will be tolerated.
10. No text messaging AT ALL during class!
11. Do Not get up to sharpen your pencil, throw trash away, get a Kleenex,
or do any other unimportant tasks while class is in process. Do it BEFORE class
begins.
12. If you need to go to the bathroom during class, you MUST place your
phone or any other electronic device on my desk before you leave. Do not
dawdle in the bathroom.
Methods of Evaluation:
Students' work will be evaluated by means of A, B, C, D, or F: Superior, Good,
Average, Poor, or Unacceptable. Numerical grades are assigned for convenience
in averaging grades only. All assignments must be completed and turned in on
the date due before students are eligible to pass the class.
Essays and writing assignments will be evaluated by the following:
1. Accuracy of content;
2. Use of the conventions of standard grammar; major grammatical errors
include sentence fragments, comma splices, run-on/fused sentences,
subject/verb agreement errors, pronoun/antecedent agreement, and
misspelled words (three misspelled words equals one major error).
3. Use of appropriate method of development for the assignment;
4. Use of the principles of unity and coherence; and
5. Use of logical, factual arguments to develop and advance the thesis of
the assignment.
If your home computer problems persist for longer than ONE week, I urge
you to work on a computer either in one of SPC’s labs or in a public library.
If that isn’t possible for you, you should drop the course.
Plagiarism and Cheating:
"Complete honesty is required in the presentation of any and all phases of course
work. This applies to quizzes of whatever length as well as to final examinations, to
daily reports, and to term papers" (SPC General Catalog). Except in extreme cases,
disciplinary action in cases of cheating or plagiarism will be handled by and at the
discretion of the instructor and, if necessary, in consultation with the department
chairperson. Depending on the nature and the severity of the problem, individual
instructors may assign penalties from zero for the assignment to an "F" in the course.
Extreme cases may result in disciplinary action, including expulsion from South Plains
College.
If I catch you cheating, I will drop you from the
course with an F.
Disabilities Statement: Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical,
psychiatric, or learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class
should notify the Special Services Office early in the semester so that the
appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, a
student requesting accommodations must provide acceptable documentation of
his/her disability to the Special Services Coordinator. For more information, call or
visit the Special Services Office in the Student Services building, 806-894-9611 ext.
2529.
Nondiscrimination Statement: It is the policy of this instructor not to discriminate on
the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion,
sexual orientation, or veteran status. In addition to complying with federal and state
equal opportunity laws and regulations, this diversity policy maintains that
harassment based on individual differences to be inconsistent with SPC's
instructional mission and educational goals.
Diversity Statement: In this class, the teacher will establish and support an
environment that values and nurtures individual and group differences and
encourages engagement and interaction. Understanding and respecting multiple
experiences and perspectives will serve to challenge and stimulate all of us to learn
about others, about the larger world and about ourselves. By promoting diversity
and intellectual exchange, we will not only mirror society as it is, but also model
society as it should and can be.
Grading Scale:
All daily work (oral discussion, group work, and discussion
board assignments, assignment tool work) averaged and
the average counts as 1 major grade
All quizzes averaged and the average counts as 1 major
grade
All turn it in assignments averaged and the average counts
as 1 major grade
Final is a major grade
Book report is a major grade
Tips for student success can be found at www.etipsforagrades.com
Good Luck! Let’s have a terrific semester!