SUMMER 2015 ENG 115: Introduction to Literature
Associate Professor Robert Vettese
Office: Harborview 303
Phone: 741 – 5698
email: rvettese@smccme.edu
Course Description
This course introduces the student to the literary genres: poetry, drama, fiction,
and essay writing. It emphasizes literature as a reflection of culture. The course
will include discussion of literary terms, close textual analysis, mindful
interpretation and any pertinent historical backgrounds. The method of learning
will be a mix of lecture, discussion, small group assignments, and individual class
work.
Course Objectives
To introduce students to the literary genres of fiction, poetry, drama, and essay.
To enable students to read critically and analytically
To introduce students to literary terms and elements
To make meaningful connections between different texts, genres, and authors
To appreciate the value and perspective of a variety of cultures
Writing Objectives
Show ability to communicate ideas clearly, with a specific purpose and to a
specific audience
Utilize appropriate strategies for varying contexts and logical organization
methods.
Apply revision methods to achieve polished final draft/presentation, using
standard academic format and conventions of grammar.
When necessary, utilize proper MLA and/or APA documentation.
Use critical thinking and listening skills in written and oral communication as a
tool for learning.
Discussion Board Postings
Most weeks you will need to complete some questions concerning the readings
and literary ideas that are discussed. You’ll add 1 new posting to the bulletin
board each week in response to the discussion questions. Also, you’ll reply to 1
posting by a classmate or the instructor. These responses should be well thought
out and reflect your thoughts and ideas concerning the texts.
The discussion postings are worth a total of 100 points. One final point,
presentation (meaning spelling, grammar, etc.) will be graded as well. It is hard to
understand a person's ideas when spelling mistakes get in the way. Discussion
board assignments, like the quizzes, need to be finished by noon on Sunday
each week. For example, Week 1's discussion board assignment needs to be
completed by Sunday, May 31st at noon. This will allow me a few days to grade
the discussion work. You can access your grades for each discussion by clicking
My Grades on the left hand side of the website.
Exams
There are two exams for this course. The first covers the novel Winter's Bone.
The second covers the material from the class and will act as our Final Exam.
Both exams are available online. More information will be posted in the
Assessment folder as the semester continues.
Required Texts
1 40 Short Stories edt. Beverly Lawn SBN-10: 1457604752
2. Proof by David Auburn ISBN 057199976
3. The Trouble With Poetry by Billy Collins ISBN 9780375755217
4. Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell ISBN 9780316066419
Weekly Reading Assessments
There will be a 10 point reading quiz on the assigned reading for each week. The
quizzes should be finished no later than noon of the Sunday of that week. For
example the Week 1 Quiz should be completed by Sunday, MAY 31st at noon.
Late quizzes will not be accepted. Additional information can be found in the
assessments folder.
Course Points and Grading
The course work adds up to a total of 340 points. The breakdown of the different
assignments is as follows: Essay 1 (short stories) -- 50 points, Winter's Bone
Exam -- 50 points, Quizzes -- 90 points, Discussion Board Postings -- 100 points,
Final Exam (Essay 2) -- 50 points. There will be 9 reading quizzes and 10
discussion board assignments (Some of the quizzes and discussion assignments
are combined. This occurs in Week 8 and Week 11).
Disability Services.
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 Disability Services Coordinator, Sandra Lynham, who can be
reached at 741-5923. Further information about services for students with
disabilities and the accommodation process is available upon request at this
number. Course policies about online testing are modified to suit each
individual’s accommodations.
Student printing policy:
This policy identifies the cost per page for black and white as well as color
printing in varying page sizes. Specifics of the policy are outlined below:
Per Page Costs
Each semester students receive a $20 printing credit. The balance resets at the
end of the semester and any remaining credits are removed. The cost varies
depending upon page size and whether printing is done in black and white or
color.
a. There is a $0.10 per page fee for standard 8.5” by 11” black and white
documents.
b. The reverse sides of duplex (double-sided) documents are free.
c. There is a $.50 per page fee for standard 8.5” by 11” color documents.
d. There is a $.20 per page fee for 8.5” by 14” (legal) or 11” by 17” (tabloid)
black and white
documents.
e. There is a $1.00 per page fee for 8.5” by 14” (legal) or 11” by 17”
(tabloid) color documents.
Duplex charges (printing on both sides of a page) work in the following fashion:
One page is $0.10, two pages are $0.10, three pages are $0.20, and four pages
are $0.20, etc. The flipsides are free, but another sheet of paper is $0.10. Please
be aware that a document with any color at all (when printed to a color printer)
will by default be printed in color. You are responsible for setting the print job to
print black and white if you do not need color. For directions, please go to the IT
Help tab in My SMCC.
How does it work?
The College’s pay-for-print system monitors printing on all printers (including
those in general access labs, library printers, the Academic Achievement Center,
Noisy Lounge and technology labs). Students can check the number of pages
they have printed by using the Printing Balance tool available on SMCC
computers (located in the lower right corner of the screen, near the clock).
Departments with work study students who need to print documents for the
department should contact the HelpDesk at 741-5696 to have a special account
set up.
Refunds
Print jobs are eligible for a refund in the event of mechanical or electronic error
on the part of the printer, print server, or software used to submit the job. Jobs
are not eligible for a refund in cases where the job was not set up correctly, was
submitted multiple times, or the student is not satisfied with the result. To request
a refund, please bring the offending print to the IT Department in the basement of
the Ross Technology Center. Refunds will be granted in the form of a credit to
the student’s account.
Why is SMCC charging for printing?
The pay-for-print system is an effort to control escalating printing costs. Charging
for printing helps offset the increasing cost of supplies and encourages students
to conserve resources. To find ways to reduce your printing charges, please go
to the IT Help tab on My SMCC. If you have questions about the pay-for-printing
policy or your printing charges, please contact the HelpDesk at 741-5696 or send
an email to helpdesk@smccme.edu.
Plagiarism
Everything you submit must be your own work. I will assume that everything you
pass in is your own writing unless otherwise properly documented. Anyone who
attempts to submit someone else’s work as his or her own may be subject to an
F on the assignment and possibly in the course. We are here to become strong
readers and strong writers. This takes effort and work. Copying and Pasting
from the internet is fairly easy to check on so please do not put yourself in a
situation where you jeopardize your grade.
Places to go for help:
The Academic Achievement Center at Southern Maine Community College
(located on the second floor of the Campus Center building, next to the Library)
provides professional tutoring by faculty and teaching assistants with a personal
approach to academic success through individual tutoring and other resources.
Also, I am available for individual questions on e-mail, by phone, or during my
office hours.
Reading and Assignment Schedule Summer 2015
NOTE: All of each week’s work is due by Sunday at noon. For example, all of
Week One’s work is due on Sunday, MAY 31 at NOON. No late quizzes or
discussion responses will be accepted.
Summer 2015
Week 1 (5/25- 5/31) - Course Introduction
1. Why Literature by Mario Vargas Llosa found in handout folder
2. Short Story Parts website found
at: http://www.hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/engramja/elements.html
3. The Interlopers by Saki found in handout folder
4. Review the Glossary of Literary Terms in 40 Short Stories pages 583 – 592
5. Week 1 Discussion responses
6. Week 1 Reading Assessment
Week 2 (5/31 - 6/7) Setting and Point of View
1. "A&P" by John Updike (all short stories will be found in "40 Short Stories"
edited by Beverly Lawn unless otherwise noted)
2. "This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona" by
Sherman Alexie (handout)
3. "Until Gwen" by Dennis Lehane found in the handouts folder
4. Reading Quiz
5. Discussion responses
Week 3 (6/7 - 6/14) Character
1. “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather
2. “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver
3. “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker
4. Reading Quiz
5. Discussion responses
Week 4 (6/14 - 6/21) Theme
1. “Bounty" by Diane Cook Handout
2. “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien
3. "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" by Sherman Alexie
4. Reading Quiz
5. Discussion responses
6. Optional - Listen to “The Things They Carried” in the Podcast Folder
Week 5 (6/21 – 6/28) Symbol
1. “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan
2. “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison
3. "A Run of Bad Luck" by E. Annie Proulx - Handout
4. Reading Quiz
5. Discussion responses
Week 6 (6/28 - 7/5) Short Story Essay
1. Short Story Essay assigned and discussed, due Sunday, July 6 by noon
Week 7 (7/5 - 7/12) The Play
1. Proof by David Auburn Act 1
2. Discussion questions
3. Reading quiz
4. Optional – Listen to the Play found in the Podcast Folder
Week 8 (7/12 - 7/21) The Play
1. "Proof" Act 2
2. Proof Discussion and Assessment Assignment
Week 9 (7/21 - 7/26) The Novel
1. “Winter’s Bone” by Daniel Woodrell Pages 3 - 99
2. Reading Quiz
3. Discussion responses
4. “Hillbilly Noir” - Interview with Daniel Woodrell found in the Web Links folder or
in the Handout Folder
Week 10 (7/26 - 8/2) The Novel
1. Winter’s Bone” by Daniel Woodrell Pages 100 - 193
2. “Winter’s Bone” Exam due SundayAugust 3rd by noon
Week 11 (8/2 - 8/9) Poetry – Billy Collins
1. “The Trouble With Poetry” by Billy Collins – Various Poems assigned
2. Poetry Information / Poetry Reading from Ted Talks found at:
http://www.ted.com/talks/billy_collins_everyday_moments_caught_in_time.html
3. Discussion Response and Assessment combination assignment
Week 12 (8/9- 8/14) - ALL WORK THIS WEEK IS DUE ON FRIDAY, AUGUST
14
1. Poetry Discussion
2. Final Exam due FRIDAY AUGUST 14
3. Course Evaluations