Introduction to Literature (ENG 115)
Instructor: Kristin Rieff
Contact: Krieff@smccme.edu
________________________________________________________________________________
COURSE SYLLABUS
Required Text: Literature and its Writers: Charters & Charters
Course Description: This course will introduce students to the genres of poetry, short fiction, and
drama. There will be an emphasis on critical thinking and on the discussion of literature within the
context of its historical & cultural background.
Course Objectives: Students will gain an understanding of current & past trends in literature;
identify similarities & differences in the genres of poetry, short fiction & drama; discuss literature
in its cultural & historical context; construct literary analysis essays and make presentations on
writers upon completion of the course.
Course Requirements: Students will complete 3 literary analysis essays, several in class tests, and
will actively participate in class exercises and discussion. Essays will at least 500 words, typed &
double spaced. An additional essay will serve as a final exam grade; additional instructions for
ALL essays will be given in class.
Attendance
I understand that situations come up to which we must attend, so missing up to 2 classes, over the
course of the entire semester, will not impact your grade. Any additional absences will
dramatically decrease your final grade for the course. Five or more absences will result in a failing
grade. Excessive and consistent tardiness will count against your attendance and participation
grade. Turn off cell phones in class.
Policies
All due dates are clearly marked on the attached schedule. To receive full credit for an assignment,
it must be turned in on time. I will accept late work for lesser credit, but please speak with me to
make arrangements. All assignments must be typed and proofread for grammar and spelling errors.
Any errors will impact your assignment grade.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is unacceptable. Any plagiarized material will earn the student an F on that assignment
and any subsequently plagiarized work may earn the student an F for the course.
*
Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and
employer. For more information, please call 207-741-5798. If you have a disabling condition and
wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable access to the programs and services
offered by SMCC, you must register with the Assistant Dean of Students, Mark Krogman, who can
be reached at 741-5629 (TTD 207-741-5667). Further information about services for students with
disabilities and the accommodation process is available upon request at this number.
Weekly Class Schedule
Subject to Change
Grading Policy

Quizzes

Tests

Essays

Final exam
10% (missing a class means missing a quiz; quizzes can not be made up)
40 %
35%
15%
Jan 13: Intro to course, expectations, Literary elements
HW: Read Popular Mechanics by Carver
Jan 15: Fiction elements, Intro to short story, Carver exercise
HW: Read The Lone Ranger and Tonto... by Alexie, A & P by Updike, Charters p 9-39
Jan 20: Quiz! Discuss readings, Plot & POV
HW: The Cask of Amontillado by Poe, A Rose for Emily by Faulkner, Poe's Art of Transformation
p. 662-665
Jan 22 : Quiz! Discuss readings, Suspense & Plot
HW: Read Charters p 40-56, A Good Man is Hard to Find by O'Connor, Charters 644-648 (on A
Good Man..)
Jan 27: Quiz! Discuss readings, O'Connor character & setting, Introduce fiction essay
HW: Read A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Marquez, Charters 57-79
Jan 29: Quiz! Discuss readings, Continue setting, Introduce style & theme
HW: To Build a Fire by London, Hills like White Elephants by Hemingway
Feb 3: Quiz! Continue style & theme, essay discussion
HW: Read The Necklace by Maupassant, The Story of an Hour by Chopin
Feb 5: Quiz! Narrative arc, Mod fiction - similarities,
HW: Prepare for fiction test & essay
Feb 10: Class Cancelled
Feb 12: Tie together loose ends, prepare for test Short Fiction test.
Feb 17: Short Fiction Test. Fiction Essay DUE.
Feb 19: Fiction Test, cont'd. Fiction Essay due.
HW: Read Charters p 1093-1101, Read opening staging & monologue for Glass Menagerie
Feb 24: Introduction to Drama, the elements of a play, what to read for in Glass Menagerie
HW: Read Scenes I-IV in Glass Menagerie
Feb 26: Quiz! Discuss beginning of play, characters & setting
HW: Read remaining scenes of Glass Menagerie
Mar 3: Quiz! Discuss play, themes & symbolism
HW: TBD
Mar 5: Continue Discussion, introduce drama essay.
HW: Prep for test & essay
Mar 10 & 12: Spring Break
Mar 17: Prep for test, Work on essay prep
HW: Finish essay & study for test!
Mar 19: Drama Test & Drama Essay due!
HW: Read Charters p 669-692 (incl Ars Poetica on p 672), 726-735 (incl The Bight on p 733)
Mar 24: Quiz! Introduction to lyric Poetry
HW: Read Bishop p 929-933, Wright p 1023-1026
Mar 26: Quiz! Discuss Bishop & Wright: Tone, Diction, Syntax, Imagery
HW: Read Lee p 815, Hayden p 1047, Heaney p 971
Mar 31: Quiz! Discuss lyric style, continue diction & syntax, introduce poetry essay
HW: Read Brooks p 769, Thomas p 771, review Charters p 748-800 (forms of poetry)
Apr 2: Quiz! Discuss traditional and modern forms of poetry, sonnet & villanelle
HW: Read Hughes p 886-907 & Whitman p 1003-1008
Apr 7: Quiz! Hughes: a poet's style, Whitman: modern poetry
HW: TBD
Apr 9: Wrap up, test & essay prep
HW: study for test!
Apr 14: Poetry Test.
Apr 16: Poetry Test, cont'd. Poetry essay due
HW: Read section 1 of Kafka's Metamorphosis
Apr 21: Metamorphosis!
HW: Read sections 2 & 3 of Kafka's Metamorphosis
Apr 23: Metamorphosis
HW: TBD
Apr 28: Metamorphosis! Set up Final Exam!
HW: Study for Metamorphosis test
Apr 30: Metamorphosis Test.
HW: Begin Final Exam
May 5: Open period
HW: complete final exam essay
May 7: Final exam due.