Fall 2009
Introduction to Literature, ENGL 201-01
Tues./Thurs. (H-211), 1:30-2:50pm
Instructor Name: Dr. Karen Gaffney
Office Location: S-347A
Mailbox: Somerset, 3rd floor
Email Address: kgaffney@raritanval.edu (Email is the best way to reach me.)
Office phone: 908-526-1200 ext. 8293
Office hours: Mondays 1:30-2:30pm, Tuesdays 10:30-11:30am, Wednesdays 1:30-2:30pm, and
Thursdays 10:30-11:30am and by appointment
Website: http://www.raritanval.edu/faculty/engl/full-time/gaffney/index.html
This course will introduce students to the study of literature by focusing on the notion of the
literary canon. The canon is the body of literature considered to be the “great books,” the
“classics,” the literature that English majors and English graduate students should be familiar
with. However, what does that really mean? How does the canon reflect a dominant world view?
What kinds of texts are generally accepted into the canon? How has that changed over the years?
Who decides what is in the canon? How do these decisions impact the kind of education that
students get? Why should students care about the canon? This course will provide a theoretical
framework in which students can explore these questions and strengthen their close reading skills
at the same time. The course will focus primarily on 20th (and early 21st) century American texts
in order to establish a framework, but the texts will vary considerably in their relationship with
the canon, based on genre, content, and level of experimentation. We will conclude the course
with students putting together an anthology of poems (including song lyrics) that they identify
and situate in the context of the canon.
Required Texts (all in paperback, available at the college bookstore):
 The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway
 Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston
 Housekeeping, Marilynne Robinson
 Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, Alison Bechdel
Note about Required Books:
It’s important that you are fully aware of the college’s textbook refund policy and textbook
buyback policy. It seems that many students do not write in their books because they think it will
lower the amount of money they would get for them. The only time writing in a textbook (or
highlighting it) affects the price is if the student is looking for a full refund, and that can only
happen if the student returns the book within five working days of buying the book or if the
student drops the class within the first 10 days of the semester. However, if a student actually
takes the course and wants to return the book at the end of the course, the student couldn't get a
full refund anyway. In that case, the student would participate in a “textbook buyback,” and the
student would get the same amount whether the book was written in or not. The only problem
would be if there was very severe damage to the book.
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Handouts:
There will be a couple of additional readings that will be provided to you in class as handouts,
and they are designated as such on the syllabus. You should hang onto these for the semester.
Other Learning Materials:
 Multiple ways to back up your work on a computer because computer problems are not an
appropriate excuse for handing a paper in late.
 A notebook (any kind) for class notes
 A folder for each of the following (total of 2):
 Syllabus, assignments, and other handouts
 Your Response Portfolio (graded response papers)
Assignments:
 Discussion Questions: For most Tuesdays you have assigned reading (and some Thursdays),
you also have to turn in typed discussion questions related to the reading. You don’t need to
provide any answers, just the questions. The schedule section of the syllabus will clarify
exactly when they are due, and there are usually two due per reading. The majority of your
questions should have a direct reference to the text. Your questions can either be something
you’re confused about in the readings that has a factual answer or open-ended with no single
right answer. These questions may be used for discussion, and they will be collected and
graded “pass/fail.” Late discussion questions will not be accepted; they need to be brought to
class. If you are absent, email them to me on the day they are due.
 Response Papers: For most weeks of the semester, there is a response paper due in class,
usually on a Thursday. Your response papers should be word-processed, 1-2 pages, double
spaced. Your responses should focus on one specific issue. Do not focus just on summary
(although a little bit of summary might help get you going). Instead, analyze a particular
issue that catches your attention. You should incorporate at least one quote from at least one
text into your paper. Focus on proving a point and backing it up with support from the text.
You are welcome to use the first person. Your responses can be informal, but they should
still abide by the standards of college-level academic English. Response papers will receive
full letter grades of A, B, C, D, and F. A missed response will count as a 0. Late responses
will only be accepted in case of an emergency. Keep graded responses in your Response
Portfolio. If you are absent, email me your response paper on the day it is due.
 Response Portfolio: You should keep your graded response papers in a folder that becomes
your Response Portfolio. There are a total of 9 response papers due. I will drop the lowest
one and count your best 8. The portfolio will be collected at the end of the semester, and the
grade will be based not only on your individual response paper grades but also on your
improvement. Assuming you handed in the response paper on time, you can revise up to 3 of
the response papers. The revision grade totally replaces the original grade. Also, when you
submit your Response Portfolio, it should include one final extra response where you reflect
on the progression of your response papers. Read through all of your response papers, and
try to be specific in reflecting on what you learned during the semester.
 Mid-term Exam: You will be able to use your books and other assigned readings for the
exam. More information will be provided.
 Final Exam: You will be able to use your books and other assigned readings for the exam.
More information will be provided.
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
Anthology Assignment and Final Essay: You will be asked to identify a poem or song of
your choice, and we’ll compile them into the Class Anthology. This will be the focus of
your final essay. Details to follow.
Grading Policy:
 Response Portfolio: 30%
 Mid-term exam: 15%
 Final exam: 15%
 Anthology Assignment: 10%
 Final Essay: 15%
 Class participation, discussion questions, and any other misc. assignments, quizzes, etc.: 15%
Attendance Policy:
 Attendance is required, and it means arriving to class on time, remaining for the duration of
class, being prepared with your textbook(s), and staying awake.
 For every three times you arrive late and/or leave early, an absence will be counted.
 You are allowed up to 2 absences before your final grade is lowered. The College’s policy
states, “A student is entitled, without question, to absences amounting to the equivalent of one
week’s class time.” For every absence after 2, your final grade may be lowered.
 Exceptions to the attendance policy may be made for documented emergencies.
 In accordance with college policy, if you miss 1/5 of the semester (6 classes), then you may
be withdrawn from the course. After Nov. 6, 2009, you cannot withdraw yourself from a
course, and you cannot be administratively withdrawn. Reaching 6 or more absences after the
withdrawal deadline will likely result in failure of the course.
 The college-wide withdrawal and refund schedule is available online.
Make-up Policy:
 Make-up exams will only be given if you have a documented emergency.
 My website (see address on the top of the first page) serves as a back up for major handouts
distributed in class (particularly the syllabus and other major assignments). These materials are
distributed in class, but if you are absent or lose the handout, you are responsible for getting it
from the website.
 If you are absent when a homework assignment is due, drop it off or email it to me on the
day it’s due so that it is not counted late. Exceptions will be made in the case of an emergency.
 Missed quizzes cannot be made up.
Classroom Etiquette:
Please be respectful. As stated in the Student handbook, the College has a code of Campus
Conduct. It states: “A student who disrupts any College class by engaging in conduct that
renders it difficult or impossible to maintain the learning environment of the class shall be
subject to any of the disciplinary actions noted below. Faculty members have the authority to
take whatever summary actions may be necessary to maintain order and proper conduct in the
classroom and to maintain the effective cooperation of the class in fulfilling the objectives of the
course. Classroom dismissals must be reported in writing to the Dean of Academic and Student
Services. Sanctions for campus conduct violations are as follows: Sanctions for conduct
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violations, either in the classroom or on campus, may result in probation, suspension, or the
imposition of such lesser penalties as are appropriate.” See the RVCC Student Handbook for
more information.
Cell Phone Policy:
 Cell phones, beepers, etc. should be turned off for the duration of class (not just to vibrate,
but with the sound completely off).
 If you are found using your cell phone to talk to someone, listen to someone, listen to your
voicemail, receive text messages, send text messages, check to see if you received a voicemail
or text message, etc. during class, it will count as an absence.
 If you have a personal situation where you need to keep your phone on to receive an
emergency call, let me know at the beginning of class.
Plagiarism Policy:
Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. See the RVCC
Student Handbook (Rules and Regulations section) for details about academic dishonesty.
Use of SparkNotes, Cliff Notes, etc.
I strongly encourage you to avoid using study aides for the novels. You need to be able to read
and understand the material on your own and through class discussion; that is a crucial part of
the learning process, which includes reading, writing, and discussion. There will be ample
opportunity for you to ask questions about anything you find confusing.
RVCC email:
 Every student automatically receives an RVCC email account through the website the
Lion’s Den. You must access this email account; otherwise, you will miss crucial college
information, like your grades. If I need to reach you, I will email you at your RVCC account, so
please check it frequently. Don’t forget that passwords need to be updated periodically.
 You should have received a G-number as well as information about your password when
you enrolled. If you do not have this information, visit the MIS office at S-112 (near the
elevators in Somerset, on the first floor) as soon as possible.
Academic Support Center:
 The Academic Support Center offers free drop-in tutoring and supports services for most
disciplines offered by RVCC.
 Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-8:00pm; Friday: 9:00am-2:00pm; Saturday: 10:00am-2:00pm
 The Academic Support Center is located on the Lower Level of Somerset, room S020, and
their extension number is 8393. You can find more information about them in your RVCC
Student Handbook and their website at http://www.raritanval.edu/studentserv/asc/index.html
Statement for Students with Learning Disabilities:
If you have a documented learning disability, you may be entitled to accommodations such as
extended time on exams. Please see me confidentially to make arrangements.
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Class preparation and participation:
 Come to every class prepared. Most of your preparation will focus on reading the assigned
material carefully. Taking notes (including annotating the text) as you read will be a big help to
you for in-class discussion of the material, for the exams, and for brainstorming about your
essays. It is essential that you do the assigned reading for the course. If you don’t, you’re not
going to learn nearly as much as you should, you won’t be able to participate effectively in
class discussion, and you won’t be able to help your peers sufficiently in small group exercises
that we will do frequently. Pop quizzes may be given.
 Participate in class. Participation involves paying attention in class, contributing to the
discussion, and listening to your peers. Come to class ready to share your ideas, and don’t be
afraid to ask questions.
Daily schedule:
 The following schedule is a general guideline, and it is subject to change. Small assignments
may be added.
 Please bring the reading with you.
Thurs.,
Sept. 3


Introduction to the course and each other
Receive handouts to be read for next week
Tues.,
Sept. 8


Read for today:
“Multiculturalism and the Canon Wars: The Politics of Literature”
(handout)
2 Discussion Questions due on reading

Thurs.,
Sept. 10





Read for today:
“Canon” (handout)
“Reading to Live” (book review of The Whole Five Feet: What the Great
Books Taught Me About Life, Death, and Pretty Much Everything Else)
(handout)
“Students Get New Assignment: Pick Books You Like” (hadout)
2 Discussion Questions due on “Canon”; 1 Discussion Question due on
each of the other 2 readings
Tues.,
Sept. 15



Read for today:
First half of The Sun Also Rises (to the end of Chapter 12)
2 Discussion Questions due on reading
Thurs.,
Sept. 17

Response paper #1 due on some aspect of the first half of The Sun Also
Rises (see description of criteria for response papers in early part of
syllabus)
Continue discussion of Tuesday’s readings

5
Tues.,
Sept. 22



Read for today:
Finish The Sun Also Rises
2 Discussion Questions due on reading
Thurs.,
Sept. 24


Response paper #2 due on some aspect of the second half of The Sun Also
Rises
Continue discussion of Tuesday’s readings
Tues.,
Sept. 29



Read for today:
First half of Their Eyes Were Watching God (to the end of Chapter 10)
2 Discussion Questions due on reading
Thurs.,
Oct. 1


Response paper #3 due on some aspect of the first half of Their Eyes Were
Watching God
Continue discussion of Tuesday’s readings
Tues.,
Oct. 6


Read for today:
Finish Their Eyes Were Watching God
Thurs.,
Oct. 8

Response paper #4 due on some aspect of the second half of Their Eyes
Were Watching God
Continue discussion of Tuesday’s readings

Tues.,
Oct. 13

Prepare for Midterm Exam (bring all readings assigned so far) and create
exam questions in class
Thurs.,
Oct. 15
Tues.,
Oct. 20

Midterm Exam (bring all readings assigned so far)



Read for today:
First half of Housekeeping (to the end of Chapter 6)
2 Discussion Questions due on reading
Thurs.,
Oct. 22


Response paper #5 due on some aspect of the first half of Housekeeping
Continue discussion of Tuesday’s readings
Tues.,
Oct. 27



Read for today:
Finish Housekeeping
2 Discussion Questions due on reading
Thurs.,
Oct. 29

Response paper #6 due on some aspect of the second half of
Housekeeping
Continue discussion of Tuesday’s readings

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Tues.,
Nov. 3





Election Day! Don’t forget to vote!
Read for today:
First half of Fun Home (to the end of Chapter 4)
2 Discussion Questions due on reading
Anthology Assignment due
Thurs.,
Nov. 5


Response paper #7 due on some aspect of the first half of Fun Home
Continue discussion of Tuesday’s readings
Tues.,
Nov. 10




Read for today:
Finish Fun Home
2 Discussion Questions due on reading
Bring small empty binder to receive Class Anthology
Thurs.,
Nov. 12


Response paper #8 due on some aspect of the second half of Fun Home
Continue discussion of Tuesday’s readings
Tues.,
Nov. 17

First day of student presentations of Anthology selection (see assignment
for details)
Thurs.,
Nov. 19
Tues.,
Nov. 24

Second day of student presentations of Anthology selection

Third day of student presentations of Anthology selection
Thurs.,
Nov. 26
Tues.,
Dec. 1

Happy Thanksgiving!

Watch Adaptation in class
Thurs.,
Dec. 3
Tues.,
Dec. 8

Finish watching Adaptation in class



Response paper #9 due on Adaptation
Continue discussion of Adaptation
Review for Final Exam
Thurs.,
Dec. 10



Informal (and very brief) sharing of final papers
Final essay due
Response Portfolio due
TBA
Final Exam (bring all assigned reading from the entire course)
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