Introduction to Narrative: English 105-14
Fall 2012
Ms. Christine Tobin
T/Th 2:00-3:15 (Bryan 121) cmtobin2@uncg.edu
Mailbox: MHRA 3114
Office: Curry 335-D
Office Hours: M/W 11:00-1:00
(Other hours by appointment)
I. Course Information
A. Description
How do we make sense of the world and of ourselves? How do we observe events or participate in experiences? Reading, writing, and sharing narratives is one way we attempt to order, recount, and make meaning of these questions. By focusing on critical reading and analysis of novels, short stories, and narrative poems, with attention to historical, cultural, and literary backgrounds, Introduction to Narrative cultivates the tools we need to navigate different narrative structures. Throughout the semester, we will consider the large question of what narrative is, how it operates, and from what it is constructed.
B. Learning Goals
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
--Identify and understand varied characteristics of literature;
--Apply techniques of literary analysis to texts;
--Use literary study to develop skills in careful reading and clear writing;
--Demonstrate understanding of the diverse social and historical contexts in which literary texts have been written and interpreted.
C. Materials
*Bragg, Rick. All Over but the Shoutin’. New York: Vintage, 1998. Print.
(ISBN: 978-0-6797-7402-0)
*Cisnerso, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. New York: Vintage, 1991. Print.
(ISBN: 978-0-6797-3477-2)
*Satrapi, Marjane. The Complete Persepolis. New York: Pantheon, 2007. Print.
(ISBN: 978-0-3757-1483-2)
Sparks, Summar, Tammy Lancaster & Scott Thomas Gibson, eds. Lenses: Literary Terms
and Theory. Plymouth, MI: Hayden-McNeil, 2012. Print.

(ISBN: 978-0-7380-5105-5)
Readings on Blackboard, as assigned. [You are expected to print and bring a copy to class.]
*Any edition of these books will be fine. I encourage you to find used and/or paperback copies to keep, rather than rent.
D. Other Requirements
Printed copies of reading assignments on Blackboard.
Access to Blackboard, UNCG email, a Word-compatible program, and a printer.
Paper for notes and discussion.
II. Class Policies
A. Decorum
Be respectful of yourself, your peers, me, and our learning environment. This means 1) active participation in class; 2) having course materials with you; 3) completing reading and writing assignments on time and 4) not introducing distractions during class time: these include (but are not limited to) talking, texting, laptop use, arriving late or leaving early, and loud or repetitive noises.
B. Electronics
You do not need a laptop during class. However, if you choose to bring a laptop, be aware that they may be used in class only to take notes pertaining to our class or to view documents on our Blackboard website. Any student who uses a laptop for any nonclassroom activity during class time will not be allowed to use a laptop in class again. To be perfectly clear: one violation means no laptop.
Turn off all electronic devices and store them away; don’t just put them on vibrate. That means no texting or checking messages during class ever. If you are using electronics during class, you will either be marked absent or asked to leave.
C. Attendance
Students are allowed three absences without a grade penalty. For every absence beyond those allowed, students will be penalized one-half letter grade. Students who miss six classes on a two-day schedule will fail the course.
You are, by state law, allowed two excused absences due to religious holidays, which do not count toward your total. If you plan to miss class because of religious holidays, you must notify me at least 24 hours in advance of your absence.

E. Email policy
An email is probably the most efficient way to get in touch with me; be aware, however, that I do not check mail after 9:00 pm. Also, I teach much of the day Tuesday and
Thursday, so I cannot frequently check or return emails during that time. I will return emails within 24 hours. If you do not hear back from me in 24 hours, please resend the original email. Please sign emails with your name and section number.
III. Assignments
A. Grading
20% Blackboard posts & terminology quizzes
20% Exam 1
20% Close readings (2)
30% Exam 2
10% Participation
Participation grade: Students should pay attention and contribute to class.
Excellent or very good participation is characterized by daily asking and answering questions, showing respect to others, and completing work in a professional manner. Good participation will be sufficiently free of problem behaviors and show an interest in learning the material, although the student might tend toward silence and moderate effort. Fair to poor participation is characterized by tardiness, distraction, carelessness, and a lack of serious scholarly inquiry. Participation is assessed holistically throughout the semester.
Concerned or motivated students should ask the instructor several times during the semester how to improve their participation.
B. Course Guidelines
1) Late assignments will not be accepted, nor can exams be rescheduled. If you are absent on a due date, the assignment still needs to be turned in. Please make arrangements with me beforehand if you know you will be absent.
2) Papers should follow MLA formatting, particularly
Stapled! (if hard copy is required)
Titled
Double spaced
One inch ruled margins
Size 12 Times New Roman
Pages numbered
C. Plagiarism
Name, course #, assignment, and date in upper left hand corner of 1 st page

“Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example, cheating, plagiarism, misuse of academic resources, falsification, and facilitating academic dishonesty. If knowledge is to be gained and properly evaluated, it must be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations are incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall not be tolerated” (from UNCG’s Academic Integrity Policy). To ensure that you understand the university’s policy on academic integrity, review the guidelines and list of violations at
<http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu>. I expect you to abide by the Academic Integrity
Policy.
Violations of academic integrity will be reported to university officials and may result in consequences for the course ranging in severity from re-doing an assignment (such as in a case of spontaneous or unintended plagiarism of materials), failing an assignment, or failing the course (such as purposefully presenting another’s work as your own on exams or essays).
D. Student Services
1) Office of Disability Services
Students with documentation of special needs should arrange to see me about accommodations as soon as possible. If you believe you could benefit from such accommodations, you must first register with the Office of Disability Services on campus before such accommodations can be made. The office is located on the second floor of the Elliott University Center (EUC) in Suite 215, and the office is open 8am to
5pm, Monday - Friday. Telephone: 334-5440; e-mail: ods@uncg.edu.
2) The Writing Center
The Writing Center is located in 3211 of the MHRA building. They can help you at any stage of the writing process, from prewriting to polishing. Please schedule an appointment with them at any point during the semester if you need outside help with your writing. For more information visit www.uncg.edu/eng/writingcenter/ .
Each visit to the Writing Center will be counted as a point extra credit added to your final grade (max of four).
3) The Learning Assistance Center
The Learning Assistance Center offers free services to the entire UNCG undergraduate community and is located in McIver Hall, rooms 101-104, and 150. For help with study skills, contact Erin Farrior, Academic Skills specialist. Telephone: 334-3878; e-mail: lac@uncg.edu
.

Calendar is subject to change. Updates will be listed on Blackboard.
Assignments are listed on the day they are due.
BB: reading is posted on Blackboard under Course Documents; print & bring to class
Introduction to narrative Assignment due
August 21 Syllabus, first day writing
August 23
Active reading
August 28
August 30
Lenses: Chapter 1 & “Fiction” section of Chapter 3
BB: “Girl” (Kincaid)
Lenses: Chapter 2 & 8
BB: “A Good Man is Hard to Find” (O’Connor)
Lenses: Chapter 4
BB: “Sonny’s Blues” (Baldwin)
Place & time
September 4 Lenses: Chapter 5 & “The Yellow Wallpaper” (Gilman)
BB Discussion post due
September 6
September 11
The House on Mango Street (Cisneros)
--through “Papa who wakes up tired in the dark”
Lenses: Chapter 7 & 9 finish Mango Street
September 13
Narrators & characters
Mango Street discussion continued
BB Discussion post due
September 18
September 20
September 25
Style as narrative
September 27
BB: “Me and My Baby View the Eclipse” and selections from Fair and Tender Ladies (Smith)
BB: “Hills Like White Elephants” (Hemingway)
Close Reading 1 due
BB: “Barn Burning” (Faulkner)
October 2
October 4
October 9
BB: “Harrison Bergeron” (Vonnegut) & “There Will Come
Soft Rains” (Bradbury)
BB Discussion post due
In-class writing & review
Exam 1
Lenses: Chapter 6 & “Poetry” section of Chapter 3
BB: selection of narrative poems

October 11
October 16
October 18
Truth & fact
October 23
October 25
October 30
November 1
November 6
November 8
November 13
November 15
November 20
November 22
November 27
November 29
Final exams
December 4
December 8
BB: selection of narrative poems
BB Discussion post due
No class – Fall break
BB: selections from The Things They Carried (O’Brien)
O’Brien discussion continued
BB: selections from The Way to Rainy Mountain (Momaday)
BB Discussion post due
All Over but the Shoutin’ prologue & section 1
“The Widow’s Mite” (Bragg)
Bragg section 2 “Lies to my mother”
Bragg section 3 “Getting even with life”
BB Discussion post due
Persepolis (book 1)
Persepolis continued
BB Discussion post due
Persepolis continued
Close Reading 2 due
Persepolis (book 2)
No class – Thanksgiving
Persepolis continued
In-class writing assignment; wrap up
Reading day
Exam 2 @ 3:30-6:30