Acadia University Faculty of Arts
English 1406 H0: Writing and Reading Critically
Regular Session 2008-2009 (Both Terms)
MWF, 11:30 pm-12:20 pm. (Slot 4) Location: BAC 206
Instructor: Dr. Jon Saklofske
Email: jon.saklofske@acadiau.ca
Office: 423 BAC
Office Phone: 585-1442
Office Hours: TBA
Course Description and Objectives:
This course will introduce you to the study of literature in English through close readings,
comparative considerations and an exploration of the form, content and context of a number of
representative literary works. The purpose of this course is to encounter poetry, prose and drama
from various historical periods while exercising and improving skills in comprehension,
composition and independent critical thought.
Required Course Materials:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Carroll, Lewis. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Toronto:
Random House of Canada, 2002. Paperback. ISBN-10: 0375761381 ISBN-13: 9780375761386
Highway, Tomson. The Rez Sisters. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1992. ISBN-10: 092007944X
ISBN-13: 978-0920079447
Mamon, Elaine, Janice Peritz and Melanie Rubens, eds. A Writer’s Resource: A Handbook for
Writing and Research. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2006. 0-07-088823-X
Ondaatje, Michael. Coming Through Slaughter. Vintage, 1998. ISBN-10: 0676971768 ISBN13: 978-0676971767
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein: The Original 1818 Text. 2nd Edition. Eds. D. L. MacDonald and
Kathleen Scherf. Peterborough: Broadview, 2003. Paperback. 9781551113081 /
1551113082
Stott, Jones and Bowers, Eds. The Harbrace Anthology of Literature. 4th Ed. Toronto: Nelson
Thomson, 2006. Paperback. ISBN 0-17-641540-8
Assignments and Evaluation:
Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis. It is essential that you keep up with the
assigned readings and read carefully and critically. Each student will be expected to contribute to
class discussions throughout the term. Please note that the last day to drop full year courses
without academic penalty is January 12, 2009. The final grade will be based on the following
partial grades:
Total:
5%: Essay #1: Due October 1 (900 words/ 3 pages minimum)
10%: Essay #2: Due November 3 (1200 words/ 4 pages minimum)
10%: Essay #3: Written December 1 (approx. 900 Words)
10%: Essay #4: Due Feb. 4 (1200 words/ 4 pages minimum)
10% Essay #5: Due March 11 (1200 words/ 4 pages minimum)
15%: Essay #6: Due April 6 (1500 words/ 5 pages minimum)
10%: Attendance, Participation, Quizzes, Group Work, Presentations.
30%: Cumulative Final Exam (Mandatory, 3 hours)
100%

The essay assignments will be word-processed, double-spaced, and make use of a
12-point font. Each essay should be written in a clear, concise and formal manner
and will consist of a central thesis supported by a well-structured argument. Topics
will be provided for the essay assignments through ACORN (except for the in-class
essay) in the first few weeks of the course. Essays will be evaluated for both content
and style. Please use the MLA format for documentation in your papers, making use
of MLA citation style and including a Works Cited page. Strategies and formatting
guides can be found: in the required text, A Writer’s Resource, in the “Files” section
of the ACORN coursepage and at:
http://libguides.acadiau.ca/content.php?pid=1280&sid=5462

Except for the in-class essay, all essay assignments should be submitted to me
electronically via ACORN.

The In-Class Essay will be handwritten during class time on the scheduled date and
will be closed book (no textbooks, notes, computers or other material allowed).

Final Exam: There will be a mandatory final examination scheduled during the April
examination period. The final exam will be worth 30% of your final grade.

If you are a student with a documented disability who anticipates needing
accommodations in this course, please inform me after you meet with Jill or Suzanne
in Disability/Access Services, in the Student Resource Centre, lower floor of the old
SUB. jill.davies@acadiau.ca 585-1127 or suzanne.robicheau@acadiau.ca 585-1913.
Penalties:
1.
Late Assignments: Papers are due before the end of class on the specified due date.
After class is considered late. It is your responsibility to contact me as soon as
possible regarding late or missed assignments. Late assignments are subject to a
penalty of 1/3 letter grade per day (including weekends) unless you are granted
an extension due to documented medical or compassionate circumstances (i.e a
“B” paper that is handed in two days late would receive a mark of “C+”). As well,
late assignments will be graded, but will include no written commentary. Late essays
not submitted electronically MUST be date stamped and submitted to me via the
English Department Office (Room 415, BAC). I do not accept papers submitted under
my office door.
2. Plagiarism: Please refer to the section entitled "Academic Integrity" in the 20082009 Calendar for Acadia University's policies regarding plagiarism. Note that
penalties for plagiarism include rewriting work, receiving a failing grade for a
particular assignment, failing the course or being dismissed from the university.
Please be aware that faculty members reserve the right to utilise software or websites
to test student assignments for the presence of plagiarised material. Although some
class time will be spent learning how to avoid the pitfalls of plagiarism, when in
doubt, ask me for advice or go to http://library.acadiau.ca/guides/plagiarism/
3. Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. More than 3 unexcused absences per term
will result in a significant deduction from your participation mark.
Please note that I will not accept assignments submitted after the
last day of lectures. ( Thursday, April 9, 2009)
Course Outline
I.
Poetry
1. Form: The Sonnet
2. Content: a. Speaker, Tone, and Irony
b. Figurative Language, Imagery and Symbol
3. Context: Native Canadian Poetry
II.
Drama
1. William Shakespeare. The Tempest
2. Oscar Wilde. The Importance of Being Earnest
3. Tomson Highway. The Rez Sisters
III.
Prose
1. Short Fiction
2. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein
3. Lewis Carroll. Through the Looking Glass
4. Michael Ondaatje. Coming Through Slaughter
Tentative Reading Schedule:
(Readings may be supplemented or modified as the term progresses)
Sept.
3
Introduction
5, 8, 10, 12
Introduction to Poetry
15, 17, 19,
22, 24
Poetic Form: The Sonnet
Sept.
26, 29
October 1: Essay #1 Due
Poetic Content I: Speaker, Tone and Irony
October
1, 3, 6, 8 ,
10
15, 17, 20,
22, 24, 27
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Edmund Spenser “One day I wrote her name upon the strand” (29-30)
Michael Drayton “Since there’s no help, come let us kiss and part” (31)
William Shakespeare “Sonnet 18” (35) and “Sonnet 130” (37)
John Donne, “Holy Sonnet XIV” (44)
William Wordsworth, “The world is too much with us” (111)
Alfred, Lord Tennyson “Ulysses” (161-63)
Robert Browning, “My Last Duchess” (164-5)
Theodore Roethke “My Papa’s Waltz” (259) Group Work
Margaret Atwood “A Women’s Issue” (336-37)
Poetic Content II: Figurative Language, Images and
Symbols
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29, 31
November 3, 5, 7, 10
December
Wallace Stevens “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird”
(http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poem/2018.html#25)
Alden Nowlan “The Bull Moose” (320-21)
Tom Dawe “The Bear” (339-342)
Adrienne Rich “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” (299) Group Work
November 3: Essay #2 Due
Poetic Context: Native Canadian Poetry
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Louise Halfe, “Body Politics “(378)
Louise Halfe “My Ledders” (376-77)
Marilyn Dumont “Letter to Sir John A. MacDonald” (379-380)
Marilyn Dumont “The Devil’s Language” (380-381)
12, 14, 17,
19, 21, 24,
26, 28
Drama I:
1
December 1: In-Class Essay (Essay #3)

William Shakespeare The Tempest (404-463)
o Nov 26, 28: Group Work.
December Holidays
January
5, 7, 9, 12,
14, 16
Drama II:
19, 21, 23,
26, 28
Drama III:
30
February
2, 4, 6, 9,
11, 13
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
Oscar Wilde The Importance of Being Earnest (525-575)
Tomson Highway The Rez Sisters
February 4: Essay #4 Due
Prose: Short Stories
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Herman Melville ‘Bartleby the Scrivener” (910-937)
Charlotte Perkins Gilman “The Yellow Wallpaper” (987-999)
Thomas King “Borders” (1166-1174)
Mid-Term Break (February 16-20)—No Classes
23, 25, 27
Prose: Novel
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March
9, 11, 13,
16, 18, 20
March 11: Essay #5 Due
Prose: Novel

23, 25, 27,
30
April
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
2, 4, 6
1, 3
Lewis Carroll Through the Looking Glass
Prose: Novel

Michael Ondaatje Coming Through Slaughter
6, 8
April 6: Essay #6 Due
Discussion and Review