Southern Maine Community College
ENGL 115-08
M&W
Fall 2014
12-1:15 p.m.
Preble Hall 106
Course Description:
The purpose of Introduction to Literature is to give students the opportunity to
read, discuss, and write about literature in a thoughtful and insightful manner. Short
stories, poems, and plays are read and discussed for their inherent interest and for their
artistic merit. The key to success in this course is to develop informed opinions and to
communicate them both verbally and in writing. Students are free to say whatever they
wish about these literary works, but they must have logical and plausible reasons to
support their opinions.
Texts: Portable Literature: Reading, Writing, and Reacting Eighth Edition
The GreatGatsby
Course Objectives:
By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
1. Discern the components of short stories, poems and plays.
2. Develop an appreciation for literature beyond just liking or disliking a literary
piece.
3. Accept the premise that in artistic works there are no “correct” answers but
insightful answers.
4. Write thoughtful and analytical essays about works of literature.
5. Form a thesis and defend it both in writing and in speech.
Grading System
Two Examinations
35 %
Two Analytical Essays
35 %
In-Class Writings & Quizzes
20%
Class Participation and Attendance
10%
Grading Policy
All writing assignments must be done and are due on the dates indicated. Late
papers are penalized ten points per class. Papers are to be typed double spaced. If you are
absent when an assignment is due, please bring it to the next class. All missed in-class
writings must be made up. If you are not satisfied with the grade on an essay, you may
do an alternate assignment to take its place.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend all classes and be on time. However, three
absences are allowed for routine business matters and sickness. Students who miss three
consecutive classes without making contact with the instructor or who miss a total of six
classes will be withdrawn. Your participation grade will be lowered after you have been
late more than twice. Please see me if extraordinary circumstances should occur.
This policy is not meant to be punitive. However, research clearly shows that
regular and on-time attendance are required to be successful in college.
Academic Integrity
Academic honesty is expected of all students. Submitting work which is not
your own or is not properly cited is a violation of college policy and personal integrity.
Plagiarism and or cheating will result in loss of grade or failure in the course.
“Rules of the Road”
No eating in class. Water, however, is allowed.
No cell phones use or texting; please have your phones on vibrate.
No laptop use.
James Dunn
Jdunn@smccme.edu
August
25
Overview
Syllabus
Chap. 1
27
Chap. 1
September
3
Fiction
Plot - pp. 99-102
“A Rose for Emily” pp. 115-123
8
Character - pp. 126-128
“A & P” pp. 131-136
10
Poetry
Understanding Poetry pp. 468-479
Discovering Themes in Poetry pp. 645-671
15
Fiction
Setting pp. 156-159
“The Yellow Wallpaper” pp. 415-427
(Read selected poems.)
17
Point of View - pp. 188-196
“The Cask of Amontillado” pp. 219-225
22
Poetry
Voice pp. 480-508 ( No need to read all the poems in the section.)
Pick out one poem to analyze. What does the poem say to you?
Why did you choose it? Read it aloud.
Do this for all subsequent chapters on poetry.
24
First Analytical Essay ( no sources)
Directions will be given in class.
Chap. 2 Writing Literary Arguments
First Draft is due.
At least two pages.
pp. (Skim)
29
Style, Tone and Language - pp. 241-246
“The Things They Carried” pp. 277-290
1
Poetry
Word Choice, Word Order pp. 509-530
6
Final Draft of First Analytical Essay is due.
Fiction
Symbol, Allegory, and Myth pp. 292-297
“The Lottery” pp. 304-311
8
Fiction
Theme - pp. 344-346
“A Worn Path” pp.360-367
October
15
First Examination – Fiction
Directions for study will be given in class.
20
Poetry
Imagery - pp. 487-503
22
Figures of Speech - pp. 504-535
27
Poetry
Sound - pp. 572-579
Form - pp. 593-618
29
Poetry Project
Directions will be given in class.
Intro to Drama
November
3
“The Glass Menagerie” pp. 1178-1227 Scenes 1-4
5
“The Glass Menagerie” Scenes 5-6
10
“The Glass Menagerie” Scene 7
Poetry Project is due.
12
“The Great Gatsby” - Chap. 1-4
17
“The Great Gatsby” - Chap. 5- 9
19
“The Great Gatsby”
24
“Death of a Salesman” pp. 872-944 Act I
26
Makeup
December
1
“Death of a Salesman”
3
“Death of a Salesman”
8
Final Examination - Poetry and Drama
Directions will be given in class.
10
Act 2
Final Grades and return of Examinations
Return of papers