SYLLABUS
Instructor: M. Melissa Elston, M.A.
Course title and number
Term
Meeting times and
location
English 203, Introduction to Literature: ENGL 203.519
Spring 2011
MWF 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m., BLOC 108
Course Description and Prerequisites
Catalog Description: (3-0). Credit 3. Exploration of literature by genre and/or theme; literary
analysis and interpretation; intensive writing about literature.
Inquiry: This section of English 203 is taught as an Inquiry Course—that is, a course
emphasizing Inquiry and Research Skills
Prerequisite: English 104
English 203 is an Inquiry-based (I) course offered by the department of English that provides an
introduction to literary study on the undergraduate level. “I” courses endeavor to promote learning through
inquiry—that is, to shape the undergraduate educational experience around student-initiated investigations
into topics relevant to each discipline studied. In English 203, you will be initiated into beginning-level
literary study from the perspective of a practitioner of English as a discipline.
In English, our definition of “inquiry” is bound to ways of reading and writing. It requires a certain base of
knowledge about genres and periods of literature as a starting point. It also relies on theory and close
reading to form and investigate questions about texts. Furthermore, inquiry in English as a discipline means
inquiring into what others have said about a text or topic in order to make a contribution to a body of
knowledge—to join in a conversation about or discourse on a subject that is important to literary study.
The purpose is to further knowledge about literature and the products of society and individual creative
efforts.
As a sophomore-level I-course, English 203 will introduce you to the tools used for inquiry in English
Literary Studies—many of which will readily transfer to your other college-level courses, contributing to
your overall success as a student at Texas A&M University. The essential ingredients for inquiry in English
Literary Studies are
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Acts of writing, reading and discovery,
Consideration of genre, context and audience,
Critical thinking,
Ability to analyze texts and to apply ideas or concepts to texts,
Ability to conduct research and incorporate research in support of an argumentative thesis, and
Ability to address the critical conversation in the context of an original argument.
Inquiry-Based Student Learning Outcomes
Reading, writing, research and dialogue are the tools of inquiry in English. All of the assignments you
complete in this class will guide you toward the fulfillment of certain inquiry-based learning outcomes. In
this class, you will
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Read, analyze, interpret and identify literary texts in various genres, by various authors;
Demonstrate knowledge of models of research that facilitate investigation into scholarly discourse
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on a literary topic;
Respond critically to a work of literature or scholarship, including situating a work of literature
within a specific context;
Engage with themes and ideas found in literature through writing and class discussions;
Participate in an in-class scholarly dialogue;
Participate in a scholarly community.
Practice writing as an activity for inquiry, reflection, and learning;
Write papers that demonstrate audience awareness;
Formulate a viable research question and a text-based argument derived from that question;
Develop a thesis statement that announces the topic, limits the scope, and forecasts your purpose in
writing;
Support a thesis using sources of appropriate authority, accuracy, and currency
Recognize, critically analyze, evaluate, and synthesize primary and secondary sources, including print
and electronic sources;
Integrate sources (peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed) in a documented paper that is more than a
collation of the ideas of others
Properly acknowledge the use of other writers’ words and ideas;
Demonstrate competency in grammar, diction, and usage, and
Demonstrate personal integrity by practicing scholastic honesty, academic integrity, and the ethics
of communication;
As an introduction to the essential ingredients for inquiry in English, English 203 will require you to do
several of the following activities:
 Complete a minimum of three to four major writing assignments totaling at least 20 pages;
 Complete an assignment sequence leading to the development of critical, writing and research skills.
 Formulate original research questions;
 Engage in regular critical textual analysis;
 Read, summarize, and respond to scholarly arguments;
 Formulate class discussion questions;
 Apply one or more critical perspective(s) to a literary text;
 Participate in collaborative learning;
 Present the results of original research or original critical analysis to your peers;
 Consider societal and cultural questions represented in literary texts.
While no literary background beyond traditional secondary-school study is assumed, good composition skills
are expected. The prerequisite for this course is credit for English 104 or its equivalent.
Course Requirements
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Prerequisite: English 104 (While students have multiple options for meeting this requirement,
English 203 instructors will expect students to have the skills listed under student learning
outcomes on the English 104 standard syllabus)
The University views class attendance as the responsibility of an individual student. Attendance is
essential to complete the course successfully. University rules related to excused and unexcused
absences are located on-line at http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule07.
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Formal papers include a minimum of 20 pages of formal writing completed outside of class.
Research assignments in English 203 will use a variety of materials, print and electronic. Printed
sources must be consulted and integrated into the paper. Instructors may require you to submit
copies of your sources with final drafts. You must complete all required work in the sequence outlined on this
syllabus to receive a passing grade.
Reading assignments and peer review require critical reading. You will also need to read your own
work with a critical eye.
Daily writing will be a part of your course. You are expected to participate in collaborative activities
and class discussion, and to write during or after every class.
Instructor Information
Office hours
M. Melissa Elston, M.A.
(432) 258-5109
elstonmm@tamu.edu
Monday 2:15-4 p.m., Friday 10-11:15 a.m., or by appointment
Office location
Blocker 233C (second floor, just past the Writing Programs Office on the right)
Name
Telephone
Email address
Textbook and/or Resource Material
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Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Melville, trans. ISBN: 0199537372
Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Kennedy and Gioia,
eds. ISBN: 0205727581
The current Brazos Valley Reads selection:
o The Farming of Bones, by Edwidge Danticat. ISBN: 0140280499
A writing handbook and a standard college-level dictionary:
o Recommended: The Writer's Harbrace Handbook, by Cheryl Glenn, Loretta Gray.
ISBN: 0495900672
o Recommended: The New American Webster Handy College Dictionary, The American
Heritage Dictionary, Webster’s II: New Riverside University Dictionary
TAMU Neo Email Account
Four standard-sized file folders
Turnitin.com
Turnitin is an Internet-based service that allows students and instructors to check papers for plagiarism.
When you submit a paper to Turnitin, the program checks it against online sources and a database that
includes books, journals, and online paper-selling services. Then the program sends a report to your
instructor, highlighting any passages that appear in other sources. If you’ve done your own work, the
instructor will be the only person with access to your paper. You maintain the intellectual property rights to
your work. Additional information about Turnitin is available online: <http://itsinfo.tamu.edu/turnitin/>
Grading Policies
Grades
Grades are not negotiable. Your final course grade will be based on your work in the course. If you are
concerned about a grade, see me during regular office hours or make an appointment if you cannot meet
during office hours.
Essay 1 (4 pages min.)
Essay 2 (4 pages min.)
15%
15%
Essay 3 (6 pages min.)
Essay 4 (Research Paper, 6 pages min.)
Essays total
20%
20%
70%
Quizzes/Informal Writing
Oral Presentations
Other Assignments total
15%
15%
30%
Schedule of Due Dates
Essay 1
Essay 2
Essay 3
Essay 4
Wednesday, February 23
Monday, March 21 (I will also accept this
essay early – on the Friday before Spring
Break.)
Monday, April 18
Submit on or before our official “finals”
date/time ____________________
Grading Scale
F: 0-59, D: 60-69, C: 70-79, B: 80-89, A: 90-100
Attendance:
According to TAMU Student Rule #7, students are expected to attend class and to complete all
assignments. You must complete all required work in English 203 in the sequence outlined on this syllabus to receive a
passing grade.
You are expected to meet class according to the times published in the fall/spring /summer schedule of
classes. To have credit for attendance, students who arrive in class after attendance is checked must provide
evidence to substantiate their late arrival.
Authorized Absences:
According to TAMU Student Rules, students are expected to attend class and to complete all assignments.
You are responsible for providing evidence to substantiate “authorized absences.” In cases of injury or
illness less than three days, you must submit confirmation of your visit to a health care professional
(including the date and time of visit) in order to qualify the absence as excused. In cases of injury or illness
three days or more, you must submit a medical confirmation note that includes the date and time of the
illness and a medical professional’s confirmation of needed absence.
If you know in advance that you will miss a class, you are responsible for informing me. Attendance will be
taken and the number of absences will be entered on the final roster. Excessive unexcused absences (more
than three) will be reported to your college advising office, and your final average in this course will be
docked half a letter grade per day after the third unexcused absence. For excessive excused absences (fall and
spring terms, three weeks or more; summer term, five class meetings), I will recommend that you see your
academic advisor to review the option outlined in TAMU Student Rule 7.6.
Late Papers
You are required to submit essays to me electronically via Moodle/Turnitin on due dates listed on this
syllabus. Late submission of assignments (major or minor) will result in a deduction of 10 per cent of the
total points per day. Papers submitted outside of class (for example, left under the door or left in the wrong
office) will receive a grade of zero if they are lost, and will have points deducted for late submission if they
are late.
Short reading quizzes (1-2 questions) will be given periodically during the first five minutes of class and
cannot be made up in cases of tardiness or unexcused absence. In the case of an authorized absence, you are
responsible for promptly making up the reading quiz during my office hours (or at another time by
appointment).
Recycled Papers
You may not turn in assignments submitted for credit in other courses. If you were enrolled in English 203
and Q-dropped or withdrew, you may not turn in assignments written for your previous section. No credit
will be given for any assignment that is recycled from another section of this course or from another course.
Incompletes
In order to qualify for an incomplete, you must have completed at least 60% of the course work. See
Student Rules for more information on the grade of I.
Mid-Semester Grades
Grades reported at mid-semester will be based on at least one writing assignment, homework, quizzes, and
in-class assignments. This is not 50% of your grade.
Peer Review Makeup
Writing classes function on the basis of community; therefore, the entire class’ experience depends upon the
participation of each person. If you come to class on peer workshop days without a completed draft, you
will not be prepared to participate in peer review and will not receive the benefit of peer editing, which is
mandatory and difficult to make up outside of class. For your drafts to be eligible for grading, arrange for
peer feedback with your group members outside of class time. Peer review done by students who are not in
your section is unacceptable.
Email and Fax
I do not discuss grades on e-mail or the phone. Unless otherwise specified, assignments attached to e-mail
messages will not be accepted. The English Department does not accept faxed papers or faxed excuses for
missing class.
The University Writing Center (UWC)
The UWC offers undergraduate students one-on-one help at any stage of the writing process. Located on
the second floor of the Sterling C. Evans Library, the UWC also offers online assistance and computer
based lessons. See their web page
<http://www.writingcenter.tamu.edu/> for details and hours of operation.
English 1302 (for ENGL 203)
If you have taken English 1302 through a community college in Texas or completed dual credit for English
through a Texas high school, check with your academic advisor to be sure you are properly enrolled. The
Texas Common Course Numbering System makes English 1302 an equivalent for TAMU English 203,
regardless of course content. If you have credit for English 1302, you are repeating the course if you stay in
English 203. To date, the Registrar has not let the department substitute English 203 for any other courses
after students learn they have unknowingly repeated the course.
Grades
Grades are not negotiable. Your final course grade will be based on your work in the course. If you are
concerned about a grade, see your instructor during office hours.
Handouts
The handouts used in this course are copyrighted. “Handouts,” include all materials generated for this class,
which include but are not limited to exams, quizzes, syllabi, in-class materials, sample papers, and peer
critique sheets. Because these materials are copyrighted, you do not have the right to copy handouts, unless
I expressly grant permission.
Course Topics, Calendar of Activities, Major Assignment Dates
Note: This calendar and assigned readings list are a rough guide and subject to change at the
instructor’s discretion. Additional course readings may be included (or substituted) as the
semester progresses.
Week
Topic
Required Reading *
Jan. 19-21
Introduction, How to Read Rhetorically
[Sign up to present a myth]
Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Book I
Selections from Tanakh (handout)
Jan. 24-28
Mythology and Rhetoric
Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Book II plus
your group’s assigned myth(s)
“Jigsaw” Short Group
Presentations
Friday:
 The Rape of Proserpine
 Diana and Actaeon
 Arachne
 Pyramus and Thisbe
Jan. 31-Feb.4
Monday:
 Niobe
 Daedalus and Icarus
 Orpheus and Eurydice
 Pygmalion
Poetry, Archetype and Myth:
Feb. 7-11
Feb. 14-18
Chapter 20, “Myth and Narrative”
(Backpack Literature, pp. 381396, 564-578).
“Eurydice,” by H.D. (handout)
“Musee des Beaux Arts,” by W.H.
Auden (Backpack Literature,
p. 589)
“Be Daedalus,” by Nanina Alba
Poetry: Introduction -- How to Read a
Poem
Chapter 9, “Reading a Poem
Poetry: Tone and Voice,
Understanding Voice as Ethos
Chapter 10, “Listening to a Voice.”
(Backpack Literature, 397420), with close attention to
Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz”
and Blake’s “The Chimney
Sweeper.”
“Siren Song,” by Margaret Atwood.
(Backpack Literature, pp. 476,
585)
“First Love: A Quiz,” by A.E. Stallings.
(Backpack Literature, p. 547)
“El monte y el rio/The Mountain and
the River,” by Pablo Neruda.
Poetry: Structure and Form, Rhythm
Poems as assigned.
(handout)
“Do Not Go Gentle into That Good
Night,” by Dylan Thomas.
(Backpack Literature, p. 529)
“Dream Boogie,” by Langston Hughes.
(Backpack Literature, p. 511)
“Black Stacey” and other spoken-word
performances, by Saul
Williams. (videos online, will
provide link)
Feb. 21-25
Feb. 21: PEER REVIEW
Feb. 23: Paper #1 due
Poetry: Imagery and Pathos
Chapters 13-14. (Backpack Literature,
pp. 441-482.
“Daddy,” by Sylvia Plath. (Backpack
Literature, 637-639)
Night, by Elie Wiesel. (excerpt,
handout)
Figurative Language, Allusions
“The Names,” by Billy Collins.
(Backpack Literature, 434435)
“American Style Love,” by Javier R.
Martinez. (handout)
Feb. 28-March 4
Drama: Introduction
Relationship between Drama and
Poetry
Sophocles’ Oedipus the King.
(Backpack Literature, pp. 722763)
Classical Theatre
March 7-11
The Modern Stage
[March 9: Peer Review]
[Optional: Turn in Essay #2 early on
Friday, March 11]
Teatro indigena by Donald
Frischmann, and From All to
All: A Tzotzil Tragicomedy, by
Sna Jtz’ibajom, A.C., and
Martin Gomez Ramirez.
Transcribed by Francisco
Alvarez Q. (handout)
SPRING BREAK
March 21-25
Novel: Introduction – Brief History of
the Novel
[Essay #2 due on Monday,
March 21]
The Farming of Bones
March 28-April 1
Novel – Brazos Valley Reads
The Farming of Bones
April 4-8*
Novel – Brazos Valley Reads
The Farming of Bones
April 11-15
Brazos Valley Reads (conclusion)
Short Fiction: Introduction – Brief
History of the Short Story,
Character and Narration
[Note: This week, Edwidge Danticat
will be in town to discuss The
Farming of Bones on April 14, 7 pm,
Bryan Civic Auditorium. Extra
credit given for attendance.]
The Farming of Bones
[April 13: Peer Review]
”A Rose for Emily,” by William
Faulkner (Backpack
Literature, pp. 33-41)
April 18-20*
Short Fiction: Tone and Style
[Essay #3 due Monday, April 18]
April 25-29
Short Fiction: Elements of Setting
May 2-3
Final Oral Presentations
[Note: Instead of Peer Review, you
will have individual conferences
with me about your papers.]
FINALS
[Essay #4 due on Finals Day]
“A Very Short Story,” by Ernest
Hemingway (handout)
“The Things They Carried,” by Tim
O’Brien. (Backpack Literature,
340-355)
“Mademoiselle Fifi,” by Guy de
Maupassant. (handout)
“A Pair of Tickets,” by Amy Tan.
(Backpack Literature, 119135)
“This is What it Means to Say
Phoenix, Arizona,” by
Sherman Alexie. (Backpack
Literature, pp. 247-257)
Policy on In-Class Electronics Usage
Students are expected (and encouraged!) to utilize technology as an inquiry tool during study and
research time. However, all cell phones, portable music devices, laptops and the like must be
turned off during class time and are to be placed under the desk or in an otherwise out-of-sight
location, in order to minimize distractions. Students who fail to respect this policy will politely be
asked to leave the classroom.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides
comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this
legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that
provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability
requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call
845-1637. For additional information, please visit http://disability.tamu.edu
Academic Integrity
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.”
Any apparent scholastic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism) will be promptly reported to the Aggie Honor
System Office. You are responsible for understanding how to use sources in an ethical fashion.
You are also responsible for understanding the difference in quoting and paraphrasing. If you have
questions about using and documenting sources, please consult your handbook or ask your
instructor. Papers that fail to attribute sources properly will receive a grade of 0 and will be
reported to the Aggie Honor System Office. For additional information, please visit: http://www.tamu.edu/
aggiehonor