NORWALK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dr. Rebecca Hussey
ENG102: Literature and Composition
Fall 2022
Basic Course Information
CRN 3155, Section 11
Time and meeting place: Tuesday and Thursday, 11:30-12:50, West 128
My office: W204b
Phone: (203) 857-7334
Email: rhussey@norwalk.edu
Office Hours: On campus: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30-11:30 in West 204b;
Online: Wednesdays 1:30-2:30 (contact me to set up a Teams meeting)
Course Description
This composition course is a continuation of work on skills begun in ENG101. Students
receive further instruction in composition and write frequently in and out of class. The
analytical and critical essays they produce focus on fiction, drama, and poetry. To
prepare for these writing tasks, students learn how to read and appreciate various
literary genres, how to interpret literature, and how to explain and support their ideas
in writing. In addition, students complete a research paper on a literary topic.
Prerequisites: ENG101
Course Objectives
Upon completing ENG102, students will be able to do the following:
 Build upon and refine the writing skills learned in ENG101;
 Write about literature in unified and coherent prose;
 Read literary texts carefully and thoroughly;
 Present and support a claim for interpreting literary works;
 Analyze and interpret literary works;
 Understand how the parts of a literary work combine to create meaning;
 Produce a research paper on a literary topic.
Course Outcomes
Upon completing English 102, students will be able to:
1. Respond to Rhetorical Situations:
* Identify and evaluate the specific audience and purpose in writing
about literature and adapt their writing appropriately;
* Develop effective prose that influences attitudes about a particular
piece of literature;
* Analyze, evaluate, and respond to distinctive genres, such as poetry,
fiction, and drama;
* Recognize and write about the significant relationship between
literature and humanity, including gaining greater awareness of and
sensitivity to diverse perspectives.
2. Use Sources:
* Read, comprehend, and summarize a piece of literature;
* Paraphrase and quote accurately from a piece of literature and/or from
literary criticism;
* Integrate sources and use MLA documentation effectively;
3. Craft logical arguments:
* Generate a controlling idea or thesis;
* Provide clear and logical evidence, support, or illustration for their
assertions;
* Choose appropriate and effective organizing methods, employing
effective transitions;
* Write a focused and sustained argument
4. Apply language conventions:
* Use diction, tone and level of formality appropriate to audience,
purpose, and situation;
* Apply the conventions of standard English grammar, spelling, and
mechanics;
5. Formulate effective writing strategies:
* Develop flexible strategies for generating, revising, editing, and
proofreading writing;
* Reflect on and explain the effectiveness of writing choices regarding the
audience, purpose, and situation.
Required Textbook
The Norton Introduction to Literature, edited by Kelly J. Mays, shorter 13th edition. W.W.
Norton, 2019.
Attendance
Regular attendance is required. Being present in class is part of how you will learn in this
course. Each day, we will discuss our readings as well as work on writing skills that will
help you succeed in your essays. There will be regular reading quizzes that must be
completed in class, and we will complete in-class writing exercises as well. That said,
please stay home if you are sick! Get in touch ASAP if you cannot attend class, and I will
work with you to figure out how to move forward.
Grading Policies
In this course, I will use a grading system called specifications grading. This means all
work in the course will be graded pass/fail, and I will spell out my grading criteria
(specifications) for each assignment. I will assign 3 essays, 10 short writing exercises (to
be completed in and out of class), and daily short reading quizzes. There is also a
revision and reflection assignment for those of you who would like an A in the course.
Your final grade will be determined by how much work you complete at a passing level,
as follows:
To earn an A:
1. Pass Essays #1-3,
2. Pass a Revision and Reflection Assignment,
3. Pass 9 out of 10 writing exercises,
4. Pass 20 out of 22 reading quizzes.
To earn a B:
1. Pass Essays #1-3,
2. Pass 7 out of 10 writing exercises,
3. Pass 18 out of 22 reading quizzes.
To earn a C:
1. Pass 2 of Essays #1-3,
2. Pass 6 out of 10 writing exercises,
3. Pass 15 out of 22 reading quizzes.
To earn a D:
1. Pass 1 of Essays #1-3,
2. Pass 5 out of 10 writing exercises,
3. Pass 12 out of 22 reading quizzes.
A “F” will be awarded if the minimum criteria for a D are not met. I will award half
grades (A-, B+, etc.) if the completed work falls between the above categories.
Notes on assignments
Essays are the most formal writing we do. They must be typed and follow the rules of
MLA format. Writing exercises are shorter, less formal assignments. Essays and writing
exercises can be submitted electronically through email or Blackboard or on paper in
class. Reading quizzes are completed at the beginning of each class. These are
handwritten, so bring pen and paper. Arriving late to class means you missed the quiz
and will not be able to make it up. I do not do make-up quizzes under any
circumstances.
Late Work Policies
All work must be submitted on time. However, you will have three “free passes” to use
to submit late essays or writing exercises (not quizzes). I encourage you to use these
wisely! Without a free pass, I will not take late work for any reason except a
documented emergency.
Revision Policies
If you fail an essay assignment or a writing exercise, you have the option to revise it for
another attempt at passing. The only requirement is that you submit it within two
weeks after getting the assignment back from me. If you miss this two-week window,
you will need to use a free pass to resubmit. Reading quizzes cannot be revised or made
up.
Classroom Behavior
This is a discussion class, so expect to participate in discussions with the full class and in
small groups. Let’s help each other learn by sharing our thoughts, ideas, and
experiences, and treating each other with respect. Your full attention and participation
will make the class more enjoyable and help you learn more! To help us focus, please
turn off all cell phones, unless you need yours on for an emergency, in which case please
let me know before class starts. There will be times when you can use a laptop or tablet
and other times when I will ask you not to use these unless you need one for a
documented disability.
myPath
NCC has many resources that can help you get on and stay on your path to success.
Please visit https://norwalk.edu/current-students/ for a full listing.
Academic Adjustments
Students with Disabilities (including short-term impairments): If you are a student with a
documented disability and you believe you will need academic adjustments (also known
as accommodations) for this class, it is your responsibility to contact Student
AccessAbility Services at nk-accessAbility@norwalk.edu. To avoid any delay in receipt of
academic adjustments, you should contact Student AccessAbility Services as soon as
possible. In response to your request, Student AccessAbility Services may ask you to
provide supporting medical documentation, diagnostic test results or professional
prescriptions to evaluate your request for the academic adjustments. Student
AccessAbility Services may also obtain its own professional determination of whether
specific requested academic adjustments are necessary. Please note that academic
adjustments cannot be provided until approved and a “Letter of Academic Adjustment”
from Student AccessAbility Services has been received by faculty and student. If you
experience a temporary impairment, medical condition, [or are pregnant,] and it
interferes with your schoolwork, email nk-accessAbility@norwalk.edu.
Academic Honesty
Cheating in any form is a serious offense and I will not tolerate it. I will adhere to the
NCC policy on academic dishonesty as outlined in the Student Handbook.
NCC’s Grading System
A (93+) = 4.0
A- (90-92) = 3.7
B+ (87-89) = 3.3
B (83-86) = 3.0
B- (80-82) = 2.7
C+ (77-79) = 2.3
C (73-76) = 2.0
C- (70-72) = 1.7
I = Incomplete
W = Withdrawal (can only be initiated by the student)
N = Never attended
Course Calendar (subject to change)
Week 1:
8/30: Introduction to the course.
9/1: Read p. 1918-1930, The Literature Essay,
Read p. 568-570, Chopin, “Story of an Hour.”
Week 2:
9/6: Read p. 1938-1950, The Writing Process,
p. 146-151, Bambara, “The Lesson.”
9/8: Writing Exercise #1: Reflection #1.
p. 152-162, Munro, “Boys and Girls.”
Week 3:
9/13: Read p. 675-676, Kincaid, “Girl,”
p. 163-167, Updike, “A&P.”
9/15: Writing Exercise #2: MLA Format due.
Read p. 83-90, Ellison, “King of the Bingo Game.”
Week 4:
9/20: Read p. 28-38, Carver, “Cathedral.”
9/22: Writing Exercise #3: Evidence.
Read p. 412-424, Danticat, “A Wall of Fire Rising.”
D+ (67-69) = 1.3
D (63-66) = 1.0
D- (60-62) = 0.7
F (0-59) = 0.0
Week 5:
9/27: Read p. 230-244, Morrison, “Recitatif.”
9/29: Writing Exercise #4: Essay #1 Thesis due.
“Recitatif,” continued.
Week 6:
10/4: Read p. 1930-1934, The Comparative Essay,
Writing Workshop.
10/6: Read p. 1197-1207, “Trifles.”
Essay #1 due Friday, 10/7, by midnight on email (rhussey@norwalk.edu) or Blackboard
Week 7:
10/11: Read p. 1703-1723, A Doll House, Act 1.
10/13: Writing Exercise #5: Quotations due.
Read p. 1723-1738, A Doll’s House, Act 2.
Week 8:
10/18: Read p. 1738-1753, A Doll’s House, Act 3.
10/20: Writing Exercise #6: Organization due.
A Doll’s House wrap-up.
Week 9:
10/25: Writing workshop.
10/27: Writing Exercise #7: Essay #2 Thesis due.
Read p. 845, Ortiz, “My Father’s Song,”
p. 846, Hayden, “Those Winter Sundays,”
p. 857, Roethke, “My Papa’s Waltz.”
Week 10:
11/1: Reading Day, no class
11/3: Read p. 779, Brooks, “We Real Cool,”
p. 1073, Hughes, “Harlem.”
Essay #2 due Friday, 11/4 by midnight on email or Blackboard
Week 11:
11/8: Read p. 879, Jarrell, “The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner,”
p. 913, Owen, “Dulce et Decorum Est,”
p. 1149, Komunyakaa, “Facing It.”
11/10: Writing Exercise #8: Grammar
Read p. 871, Pastan, “Marks,”
p. 911, Bradstreet, “To My Dear and Loving Husband.”
Week 12:
11/15: p. 971, Millay, “What Lips My Lips Have Kissed,”
p. 991, Rich, “Living in Sin.”
11/17: Writing Exercise #9: Essay #3 Brainstorming
Read p. 967, Shakespeare, “My Mistress’s Eyes,”
p. 968, Shakespeare, “Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds.”
Week 13:
11/22: Read p. 956, Trethewey, “Myth,”
p. 962, Swenson, “Women,”
p. 974, Collins, “Sonnet,”
p. 975, Mullen, “Dim Lady.”
Week 14:
11/29: Read p. 955, Thomas, “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night,”
p. 957, Bishop, “Sestina.”
12/1: Writing Exercise #10: Reflection #2 due.
Read p. 765, Moore, “Poetry,”
p. 766, Alvarez, “Poetry Makes Nothing Happen?”
p. 767, Collins, “Introduction to Poetry.”
Week 15:
12/6: Writing Workshop
12/8: Class Wrap-up.
Week 16:
12/13: Essay #3 due.
Revision and Reflection Assignment (A grade only) due by midnight on email or
Blackboard. All final revisions due. All free passes must be used by this date.