LAKES REGION COMMUNITY COLLEGE
379 Belmont Road
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-3207
COURSE OUTLINE/SYLLABUS SHEET

COURSE NO:
LENG2500

COURSE TITLE:
Introduction to Literature

CREDIT HOURS:
3

SEMESTER:
Fall 2012

INSTRUCTOR NAME:
Natalie Murphy

E-MAIL ADDRESS:
namurphy@ccsnh.edu

OFFICE LOCATION:
Rm. 204

CONFERENCE HOURS:
After class

PREREQUISITES:
ENG1200 or permission of instructor

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Various literary types are defined and compared. Representative
examples of short stories, plays, poems and novels are read and critically analyzed.


TEXT/INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
McMahon, Day and Funk. LITERATURE AND THE WRITING PROCESS. 9th ed. Prentice Hall,
2011.

GRADING:
Grading Scale:
A
93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B
BC+
83-86
80-82
77-79
C
73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D
DF
63-66
60-62
0-59
Distribution:
Essays
Tests, Socratic Seminars/Presentations
Assignments/Discussions/Informal Writing
40%
40%
20%
COURSE OUTCOMES/COMPETENCIES:
At the completion of the course the learner will:
1. Define the elements of literature as they apply to the short story, play, poem, and novel.
2. Identify literary terms and techniques as they relate to specific short stories, plays, poems, and a
novel (protagonist, antagonist, plot development, conflict, character development,
foreshadowing, irony, point of view, images, symbolism, theme, etc.)
3. Critically read a series of short stories, poems, plays, and a novel.
4. Compose a critical analysis of a literary work incorporating research as appropriate.
5. Discuss the elements of the short story, poem, play, and novel by applying them to specific
works.
6. Analyze similarities and differences in the genres studied
7. Defend an interpretation of a work, including choice of theme and conflict.
8. Demonstrate the ability to read, comprehend, retain, and write in response to the content of
literature.
Syllabus
Fall 2012
Subject to Change
Critical Essay #1
 Draft 10/8/12
 Final 10/15/12
Critical Essay #2
 Draft 10/29/12
 Final 11/5/12
Critical Essay #3
 Draft 11/19/12
 Final 11/26/12
Critical Essay #4
 Draft 12/10/12
 Final 12/17/12
Week 1
Introduction to Short Fiction
9/10/12
In Class
 Introductions
 Course overview
 Literary response and journals
 Read “Eveline” in class and begin short fiction notes
Homework
 Read Chapter 6 How do I Read Short Fiction
 Read Chapter 7 Writing About Structure
 Read Chapter 8 Writing About Imagery and Symbolism
 Read “Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin– Literary responses and journal
 Read “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell – Literary responses and journal
Week 2
9/17/12
Elements of Short Fiction
In Class
 The elements of short fiction
 Discussion on homework reading
 Critical Essay 1
 Explanation of Socratic Seminar
Homework
 Read Chapter 5 Researched Writing



Week 3
9/24/12
Week 4
10/1/12
Read Chapter 9 Writing About Point of View
Read Chapter 10 Writing About Setting and Atmosphere
Read “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway– Literary responses
and journal
 Read “Hunters in the Snow” by Tobias Wolff – Literary responses and journal
Writing About Literature
In Class
 Socratic Seminar on “Hunters in the Snow”
 Discussion on homework reading
 Writing about literature
Homework
 Read Chapter 11 Writing about Theme
 Read “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D. H. Lawrence – Literary responses and
journal
 Read “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson - Literary responses and journal
Finishing Short Fiction
In Class
 Socratic Seminar on “The Lottery”
 Discussion on homework reading
 Journal check
 Critical essay discussion and notes
Homework
 Study for Short Story Test
 Draft of Critical Essay 1
Week 5
10/8/12
Short Fiction Test
In Class
 Introduce novel
 Short Story Test
 Peer editing on Critical Essays
Homework
 Read poetry handout and activity (list of poems to be read on handout)
 Final of Critical Essay 1
Week 6
10/15/12
Week 7
10/22/12
Introduction to Poetry
In Class
 Hand in Critical Essay 1
 Introduction to poetry and poetic devices
 Homework discussion
 Small group activity
 Introduce Critical Essay 2
Homework
 Read poetry handout and activity (list of poems to be read on handout)
 Begin reading novel and journaling
The Elements of Poetry
In Class
 Poetic devices
 Homework discussion
 Small group activity
Week 8
10/29/12
Week 9
11/5/12
Week 10
11/12/12
Week 11
11/19/12
Homework
 Individual poetry presentations
 Draft of Critical Essay 2
 Continue reading novel and writing journal entries
Poetry Presentations
In Class
 Poetry Presentations
 Peer editing/Conference on Critical Essay 2
 Novel journal checks
Homework
 Continue reading novel and writing journal entries
 Final of Critical Essay 2
 Poetry Test
Poetry Test
In Class
 Hand in Critical Essay 2
 Poetry Test
 Introduce Critical Essay 3
Homework
 Begin Othello by Shakespeare– read up to Act III – Literary responses by Week
11
The Tenth Man
In Class
 Novel discussion
 Small group activity
Homework
 Draft of Critical Essay 3
 Read Othello up to Act III – Literary responses for Week 12
In Class
The Tenth Man
 Introduce Critical Essay 4
 Peer editing/Conference on Critical Essay 3
 Watch The Tenth Man video version
Homework
 Finish Othello – Literary responses for Week 13
 Final of Critical Essay 3
Week 12
11/26/12
Drama
In Class
 Hand in Critical Essay 3
 Watch Othello
 Critical Essay discussion
Homework
 Prepare for Socratic Seminar
Week 13
12/3/12
Othello
In Class
 Socratic Seminar on Othello and drama

Homework
 Draft of Critical Essay 4
Week 14
12/10/12
Drama Test
In Class
. Peer editing/Conference on Critical Essay 4
. Drama Test
Homework
. Final Draft of Critical Essay 4
Week 15
12/17/12
In Class
.
Hand in Critical Essay 4