English 105, Section 08
Introduction to Narrative: The Story as Journey
TR 9:30-10:45, FERG 100
Claudia McQuistion, Instructor
Office 328, McIver
Office Hours: TR 3:30-5:00
E-mail: c_mcquis@uncg.edu
Course Description
ENG 105 is designed to help you become a more fluent reader of narrative texts. We’ll
study a variety of literary techniques and approaches as we consult work from different time
periods and cultural backgrounds, paying close attention to European and American
traditions. In addition to examining the conventions and craft of these texts, we’ll also
explore the statements they make about the journeys we take in our own lives, and how that
is represented through narrative. This course will give you the tools and vocabulary you
may need in order to appreciate the revelations and insight that this kind of literature offers.
English 104-110 Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):
1. Demonstrate the reading skill required for the student of literary texts. (LG3)
2. Identify and/or describe some of the varied characteristics of literary texts. (LG3)
3. Demonstrate orally, in writing, or by some other means, a fundamental ability to
use some of the techniques and/or methods of literary analysis. (LG 1 and LG 3)
4. Identify and/or describe some of the various social, historical, cultural, and/or
theoretical contexts in which literary texts have been written and interpreted. (LG3)
The SLOs labeled (LG3) relate to UNCG’s Learning Goal #3 for General
Education, which says students will “Describe, interpret, and evaluate the ideas, events, and
expressive traditions that have shaped collective and individual human experience through
inquiry and analysis in the diverse disciplines of the humanities, religions, languages,
histories, and the arts.”
(http://web.uncg.edu/reg/Bulletin/Current/UnivReq/GECProgram.aspx)
Those SLOs labeled (LG1) relate to UNCG’s Learning Goal #1 for General
Education, outlined in the guidelines for English 101.
Required Texts
Course Documents (http://blackboard.uncg.edu/). Required readings that don’t appear in
the textbooks will appear under Course Documents on our course’s Blackboard site. When
assigned, you are required to print these out and bring them to class. Please budget about
ten dollars for this expense.
Abbott, H. Porter. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative, 2nd ed. New York: Cambridge UP,
2008. ISN: 9780521887199
McCarthy, Cormac. The Road. New York: Vintage, 2006. ISBN: 9780307387899
Tatar, Maria, ed. The Classic Fairy Tales. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999. ISBN:
9780393972771
Course Requirements & Policies
1. Attendance: It is essential that you arrive for every class meeting and that you arrive on
time. You may have three absences with no penalty to your grade. More than this will only
be tolerated if there are extreme circumstances (e.g., death in the family, emergency, illness).
In these cases, I will need proof or documentation (e.g., a doctor’s note). If documentation
is not applicable to your situation, set up a brief conference with me within one week of the
absence. I take attendance at the beginning of class, so please notify me at the end of class to
make sure you are not marked absent if you were late.
You are also allowed two excused absences for religious holidays. If you plan to miss class
due to a religious holiday, you must notify me at least 48 hours prior to the absence. For
each unexcused absence after your third absences, you will lose one third of your final letter
grade (e.g, a B+ would turn into a B). If you miss six class classes, I am required to give you
a failing grade for the course. Please keep in mind that notifying me by email of your
absence does not excuse it.
2. Participation: Your participation grade will result from in-class reflections and exercises,
discussion questions, and meaningful contributions to group work and class discussion.
Please be prepared to lead and take part in our conversations. If you find that it’s difficult to
chime in to our discussions, please let me know. All readings and assignments must be
completed the days they are due. This may seem obvious, but it needs to be said: I expect
you to treat your classmates with respect.
It is also expected that you bring the appropriate text(s) to class on the day(s) that we discuss
them, as well as writing materials (pen, notebook, etc.) Cell phones should be out of sight
and turned off during class. Laptops may be used in class only by students who have a
special need for purposes of note-taking or other classroom activities. No student may use a
laptop in class without a prior arrangement with me.
You will need regular access to your UNCG email. Email will be the primary avenue by
which I will communicate with you outside of class. Please be sure to check it routinely.
3. Assignments: This class is primarily focused on developing your skills as a reader of
narrative, so all of the reading and writing assignments will be tailored to this task. Over the
course of the semester, you’ll complete one paper and two exams. You are also responsible
for writing discussion questions for the readings we complete. These questions need to be
posted to Blackboard by 5 PM on the night before the reading is due, as well as brought to
class. Your discussion questions will help inform your participation grade and be used to
steer our conversations. You will also take approximately one short quiz on Blackboard
each week, which you will be notified about via e-mail. All Blackboard quizzes are open
book and must be completed before class on the day the reading is due. There may be
additional pop quizzes if I find that discussion is lagging. Your lowest quiz grade will be
dropped at the end of the semester. Be aware that once a Blackboard quiz is closed, you will
not be able to make it up. I do not accept late quizzes. Please see me if you miss a quiz due
to an illness or emergency.
4. Grading: Your final grade will be determined as follows:
Participation
Quizzes
Essay
First Exam
Second Exam
15%
20%
25%
20%
20%
Your essay must be in MLA format, in 12 point font with 1- inch margins. A header must
appear at the top right-hand corner with your name and page number. Please staple your
final draft. Finally, I expect your essay to be on time. If one is late, I will deduct a third of a
letter grade for each calendar day I do not have it.
If at any point you have questions regarding your progress or an assignment throughout the
semester please do not hesitate to contact me. Drop by during my office hours or e-mail me
to make an appointment. I will make every effort to respond to your message within 48
hours. If I haven’t replied to your message after 48 hours, then please re-send the message.
5. Academic Integrity: “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.” (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. If you intentionally violate the
Academic Integrity Policy by plagiarizing a published source or using the work of your
peers, I will likely catch you. Please talk to me if you’re having difficulties with the
assignment— that’s what I’m here for. That said, any instance of intentional plagiarism will
result in failure of the assignment and may result in failure of the course. A second offense
of any kind will result in failure of the course.
If you violate this policy unintentionally (by failing to use citations properly, for example), I
will choose a penalty on a case-by-case basis. Recommended penalties range from a zero on
the assignment to a failing grade in the course.
6. The 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 8 am
to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. They can be reached at 334-5440, and their e-mail address is
ods@uncg.edu.
7. The Writing Center: The purpose of the Writing Center is to enhance the confidence
and competence of student writers by providing free, individual assistance at any stage of
any writing project. Staff consultants are experienced writers and alert readers, prepared to
offer feedback and suggestions on drafts of papers, help students find answers to their
questions about writing, and provide one-on-one instruction as needed. Located in the
Moore Humanities and Research Building, room 3211.
Though this course has few writing assignments, you may wish to visit the Writing Center
to prepare for your essay and the essay portions of the exams.
8. 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
The calendar represents the tentative schedule for our readings and writing assignments
during the semester. It is subject to some changes, depending on our pace; if these changes
need to be made, I’ll let you know. Otherwise, consult this schedule.
BB= Blackboard
Note: Please complete all readings before the class period for which they have been
assigned.
WEEK 1
Tuesday, January 10
Introduction to class; syllabus
Thursday, January 12
Abbott Chapter 1; Murray, “Where Do You Find Your Stories?” (BB)
WEEK 2
Tuesday, January 17
Gopnik, “Best American Essays: An Introduction” (BB); Dillard, “Total Eclipse”
(BB)
Thursday, January 19
Abbott Chapter 11; Didion, “On Keeping a Notebook” (BB)
WEEK 3
Tuesday, January 24
Charters, “The Elements of Fiction” (BB); Hawthorne, “Young Goodman Brown”
(BB)
Thursday, January 26
Abbott Chapter 2; Lee, “Persimmons” (BB); Hempel, “In the Cemetery Where Al
Jolson is Buried” (BB)
WEEK 4
Tuesday, January 31
Abbott Chapter 5; O’Connor, “A Good Man is Hard to Find” (BB)
Thursday, February 2
Selections from Essential Literary Terms (BB); Frost, “Out, Out— ” (BB); Oates,
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” (BB)
WEEK 5
Tuesday, February 7
Abbott Chapter 6; Olsen, “I Stand Here Ironing” (BB); Holzer, “Love and Other
Catastrophes: A Mix Tape” (BB)
Thursday, February 9
Selections from Essential Literary Terms (BB); Duffy, “Adultery” (BB); Moore, “How
to Become a Writer” (BB)
WEEK 6
Tuesday, February 14
Review for Exam I
Thursday, February 16
Exam I
WEEK 7
Tuesday, February 21
Tatar, “Introduction”; 3-21
Thursday, February 23
Abbott, 46-49, 130-138; Sexton, “Red Riding Hood” (BB); Carter, “The Company of
Wolves” (BB)
WEEK 8
Tuesday, February 28
Tatar 179-197; Bettelheim, “Hansel and Gretel”
Thursday, March 1
Prose, “Hansel and Gretel” (BB); Gluck, “Gretel in Darkness” (BB); Orr, “Two
Lines from the Brothers Grimm” (BB)
WEEK 9
Tuesday, March 6
Class canceled for Spring Break
Thursday, March 8
Class canceled for Spring Break
WEEK 10
Tuesday, March 13
Tatar, 74-90; Zipes, “Breaking the Disney Spell”
Thursday, March 15
Sexton, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves”; Addonizio, “Ever After” (BB)
Essay due
WEEK 11
Tuesday, March 20
Blake, “The Chimney Sweeper” (BB); Levine, “Belle Isle 1949” (BB); Joyce,
“Araby” (BB)
Thursday, March 22
Evans, “Virgins” (BB); Dove, “Adolescence II” (BB); Bishop, “In the Waiting
Room” (BB)
WEEK 12
Tuesday, March 27
The Road, p. 1-75
Thursday, March 29
The Road, p. 75-150
WEEK 13
Tuesday, April 3
The Road, p. 150-225
Thursday, April 5
Finish The Road
WEEK 14
Tuesday, April 10
The Road (film shown in class)
Thursday, April 12
Abbott Chapter 9, finish The Road (in class)
WEEK 15
Tuesday, April 17
Review for Exam II; course evaluations
Thursday, April 19
Exam II
FINAL EXAM
Tuesday, May 1
12:00 pm- 3:00 pm
In class: Exam II returned