Acadia University Faculty of Arts
English 1423 D1: Writing and Reading Critically 2
Regular Session 2009-2010 (Fall Term)
MWF, 1:30 pm-2:20 pm. (Slot 6)
Location: BAC 206
Instructor: Dr. Jon Saklofske
Email: jon.saklofske@acadiau.ca
Office: 423 BAC
Office Phone: 585-1442
Office Hours: 3:00-4:30 MWF
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 enjoy our
encounter with poetry, prose and drama from various historical periods while exercising
and improving our skills in comprehension, composition and independent critical
thought.
Required Course Materials:
1. Babington, Doug, Don LePan & Maureen Okun. The Broadview Guide to Writing. 4th
Edition. Peterborough: Broadview, 2009.
2. Ondaatje, Michael. Coming Through Slaughter. Vintage, 1998.
3. Stott, Jon, Raymond Jones and Rick Bowers, eds. The Harbrace Anthology of Literature.
4th Edition. Toronto: Nelson Thomson, 2006.
Assignments and Evaluation:
Students are expected to attend class, to participate in class discussions, to keep up with
assigned readings, and to read all assigned material carefully and critically. Please note
that the last day to drop first term courses without academic penalty is October 30. Your
final grade will be based on the following partial grades:
10%: Poetry Analysis (600 words minimum) Due Sept 25.
15%: Essay #1: (1200 words/ 4 pages minimum) Due Oct. 16
15%: Essay #2: In-Class Essay Written October 30
20%: Essay #3: (1500 words/ 5 pages minimum) Due Nov. 27
10%: Attendance, Participation, Quizzes, Group Work.
Sub-Total: 70%
+30%: Final Exam
Total:
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, The Broadview Guide to Writing, in the
“Files” section of our ACORN coursepage and at: http://libguides.acadiau.ca/english

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
December 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 beginning of class on the specified due
date. After or during 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 20092010 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 during the
term will result in a significant deduction from your participation mark.
Please note that I will not accept assignments submitted
or completed after the last day of lectures.
(Friday, December 4, 2009)
Course Outline
I.
Poetry
1. Form: The Sonnet
2. Content: a. Speaker, Tone, and Irony
b. Figurative Language, Imagery and Symbol
3. Context: Canadian First Nations Poetry
II.
Drama
1. Oscar Wilde. The Importance of Being Earnest
III.
Prose
1. Short Fiction
2. Michael Ondaatje, Coming through Slaughter
English 1423 D1: Tentative Reading Schedule
(Readings may be supplemented or modified as the term progresses)
Sept.
9
Introduction
11, 14
Introduction to poetry
16, 18, 21
Poetic Form: The Sonnet
23, 25, 28
Poetry Analysis Due September 25 (Electronic submission)
Poetic Content I: Speaker, Tone and Irony
William Shakespeare "Sonnet 55" (35-36)
Percy Shelley "Ozymandias" (137-38)
William Wordsworth "The world is too much with us" (111)
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "Ulysses" (161-163)
Theodore Roethke "My Papa's Waltz" (278-79) (Group Work)
30
October
2, 5
Poetic Content II: Figurative Language, Images and Symbols


Leonard Cohen "A Kite is a Victim" (322-323)
Alden Nowlan "The Bull Moose" (320-321)
7, 9, 14
(No class Oct 12 – Thanksgiving)
Poetic Context: Canadian First Nations Poetry
Alootook Ipellie "Walking both sides of an invisible border"
(372-373)
Marilyn Dumont “Letter to Sir John A. MacDonald” (379-380)
16, 19, 21,
23, 26, 28,
Essay #1 Due October 16
Drama:
Oscar Wilde The Importance of Being Earnest (527-575)
December
30
In-Class Essay
2, 4, 6, 9,
13, 16
Prose: Short Stories
18, 20, 23,
25, 27, 30
Essay #3 Due November 27(Electronic Submission)
Prose: Novel
2, 4
Herman Melville ‘Bartleby the Scrivener” (856-882)
Charlotte Perkins Gilman "The Yellow Wallpaper" (987-999)
Thomas King “Borders” (1087-1095)

Michael Ondaatje, Coming through Slaughter
Discussion and Review