English 385-1
Flannery O'Connor
University of Wisconsin, SP, Spring 2015
Professor: Dr. G. Christopher Williams
Office Hours: 2:00-2:50 PM MW or by appointment
Office: CCC 423
Office Phone: 346-2769
E-mail: cwilliam@uwsp.edu
Class Time: 12:35-1:50 PM MW
Classroom: CCC 106
Catalogue Description: 3 cr. Close, critical study of one or more masters of literature. Subtitle will designate
author(s). May repeat with different subtitle.
Course Goals and Objectives:
The primary goal of this course is to read and analyze the fiction of Flannery O'Connor. We will be interested in
examining his aesthetics and effect on 20th century literature.
A secondary goal of this course is to effectively interpret literary texts especially O'Connor’s texts. An emphasis on
critical reading is paramount and participation in discussion of the works that we are reading is crucial to success in
the course.
The course will focus on developing interpretive skills and learning how to formulate a reasonable literary analysis.
A research paper one of O'Connor’s works will be required.
Texts:
O'Connor, Flannery. Collected Works. (rental)
  
Grading Formula:
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3
Thesis Proposal
Analytical Paper
Final Research Paper
In Class Writing
Attendance & Participation
100 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
20 pts.
50 pts.
200 pts.
50-100 pts.
50 pts.
Grading Scale:
93-100% = A
87-89% = B+
83-86% = B
77-79% = C+
73-76% = C
67-69% = D+
63-66% = D
59% and below = F
90-92%=A80-82% = B70-72% = C60-62% = D-
Classroom Regulations:
1. Make-up work. Daily work and exams cannot be made up. If you choose to not attend and miss a daily
writing, you will receive no points for that assignment. Missing one or two of these writings will probably have
no significant effect on your final grade but missing many of them will. Regular attendance is encouraged.
Likewise, your presence is expected on exam days and exams may not be made up. (Note to commuters: exceptions
may be made for severe or inclement weather conditions that create unsafe driving conditions)
2. Exams. Essay exams will be given in class and will be open book. Bring your book, since quotation from it will
be required for justifying your answers. No cell phones or other electronic devices will be allowed during the
exam period. Blue books will be provided on the date of the exam. As noted, exams may not be made up. Plan to
attend.
3. Cell Phones and Texting Devices. Leave them off and in your bag during class. Texting during class is not
participating in class and will lead to a loss of attendance and participation points.
4. Research Essay. This is the most important assignment in the course, and must be written in the assigned
sequence. You cannot receive a grade on a later stage until you have submitted all of the work previously
assigned.
To write this paper you need to do the following:
A. Read and take notes in the library (on your own).
B. Research using both the library and the internet to familiarize yourself with research on your topic and text.
Journals and books are preferred sources of research. Internet sources are largely used for general reference and
are generally not preferred.
C. Develop a thesis proposal that introduces your argument and some of the research that you will use to frame
the argument and/or be opposing in your argument.
D. Write and submit a 5 page rough draft of the paper focusing on the primary source of your research with an
MLA formatted works cited page,
E. Revise and expand the earlier analytical paper to 8-10 pages based on feedback from me. Your research
should be used to help ground your argument (discussing in the introduction how your claims and ultimately
thesis fit into prior discussions of this text—this is the most common use of research in literary arguments) and
be used to flesh out claims made in the body. Critical apparatus and structures may also be used to enhance the
argument—talk to me early on (proposal stage) to clarify how you plan to do so. Turn in this final draft (8-10
pages) with a works cited page (not included in page count).
5. Plagiarism. Students in this course are responsible for reading and understanding the English Department’s
Statement on Plagiarism. While inadvertent plagiarism can be easily corrected, intentional plagiarism is a serious
academic offense with potentially grave consequences. With the rise of internet usage, incidents of plagiarism have
risen. At the same time, internet tools have made plagiarism easier to identify. Don’t take chances. Do your own
work.
6. Schedule. The following schedule is subject to change at my discretion. If you have been absent, please make
sure to always check with me or with your fellow students regarding possible schedule changes for the next day that
you will be attending. While you may have been absent, you are still responsible for being prepared for class when
you return.
5. Attendance. Attendance is taken at each class. You are allowed three absences without penalty. Save
these for days when you need them. Any absence following the first three absences may result in loss of up to
25 attendance points per absence and lost points for daily work. In addition to attendance, these 50 points are
also considered participation points. As long as you attend and contribute to discussion regularly, these points
are yours. Plan on coming prepared to discuss the readings.
7. Students With Special Needs. If there is anything I can do to help you to make the best of your opportunities
in higher education, please let me know. If any special equipment, interpreters, or books on tape that would aid
you in pursuing your interests in the course, I will do my best to help make those things available to you.
MONDAY
1- Week of
Jan. 20
2 - Week of
Jan. 27
3 - Week of
Feb. 3
4 - Week of
Feb. 10
5 - Week of
Feb. 17
6 - Week of
Feb. 24
7 - Week of
Mar. 3
8 - Week of
Mar. 10
9 - Week of
Mar. 17
10 - Week
of Mar. 24
11 - Week
of Mar. 31
12 - Week
of
Apr.
7
13 - Week
of
Apr.
14
14 - Week
of Apr. 21
15 – Week
OF Apr. 28
16 –Week
of May 5th
WEDNESDAY
Introduction to the syllabus
“Good Man”
“The River”
“Life You Save”
“Artificial Nigger”
“Fiction Writer and His Country,” “The Church
and the Fiction Writer”
“Some Aspects of the Grotesque,” “The Regional
Writer”
“Late Encounter”
“Good Country People”
“Displaced Person”
Exam #1
Wise Blood, Ch. 1-3
Wise Blood, Ch. 4-6
Wise Blood, Ch. 7-11
Spring Break
Spring Break
Discussion of Final Paper
Wise Blood, Ch. 12-14
“Everything that Rises”
“Lame Shall Enter First”
Thesis Proposal Due
Exam #2
“Enduring Chill”
“Revelation”
Analytical Paper Due
“Parker's Back”
Violent Bear It Away, Ch. 1-2
Violent Bear It Away, Ch. 3-6
Violent Bear It Away, Ch. 7-9
Violent Bear It Away, Ch. 10-12
“Temple of the Holy Ghost”
May 11-15 Finals Week—Final Exam & Final Draft Due—Mon, May 11th 10:15-12:15