Course Description

NOTE: Credit is not allowed for both ENG 220 and ENG 221 or ENG 222.

Required Texts:

Homer. The Odyssey. Translated by Fitzgerald. Farrer, Straus, and Girous: 1998. ISBN 9780374525743. $11.08

Sophocles. Antigone. Trans. Paul Woodruff. Hacket Publishing Co.; Indianapolis, 2001. ISBN 0-87220-571-1 $5.95

Dante, Alighieri. The Inferno. Translated by Ciardi. Signet; 2009. ISBN 9780451531391. $5.35

Shakespeare, Wm. Hamlet. Norton Critical Edition: New York, 1992. ISBN 0393956636 or ISBN-13: 978-0393956634

Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Translated by Corngold. Modern Library; 2013. ISBN 9780812985146. $9.85

OR: Can buy used: Mack, Maynard, et.al., eds. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces Expanded edition in one volume. ISBN 0-393-97143-0 pbk. With this will still need Antigone (though not Hamlet)

All other texts on Library Reserve

Course Purpose: To introduce students to some of the principal authors of “Western” literature from the beginnings to the present; to familiarize them in detail with some significant texts of this literature; to deepen their understanding of the relationship between these texts and the history of the cultures that produced them; to enhance their ability to read critically and analytically, moving from facts to reasoned judgments, recognizing especially inter-relationships between imaginative works and ideas. At the end of this course students will be able to demonstrate their ability to speak and write about literature in an effective and perceptive way that persuades the listener through critically reasoned interpretation. (fulfills GER Lit requirement and Global Knowledge co req. See Rules and Regs for Objectives, Outcomes and Assessments.)

Course Requirements:

One paper of at least 1000 words. Paper is worth 25%

The Midterm exam is 25% and the Final is 25%. Two Quizzes are 5% each. Assignments/Responses are 15% all together.

Reading assignments are listed in the syllabus and you will be reminded before each class. The readings average thirty to forty pages with some longer and some shorter.

Your writing assignments will be evaluated according to the standards for content, organization, format, grammar and mechanics as defined in “Writing Standards”. Please turn in the first paper with the second. All will be returned to you.

Attendance: Class attendance is necessary. After three absences your grade will be affected. Keep up with the assignments and come to class prepared to discuss them; otherwise, you will fall behind and the effect will expand past recovery. (see Rules and Regs link for specific University regulations)

Disabilities: Students with disabilities or special needs will be accommodated in accordance with University policy. (see Rules and Regs link)

Academic Honesty: By continuing in this course, you confirm you will abide by the University's policy. (see Rules and Regs link)

Writing Assignments

Responses:

Ten short Responses on the texts we read. The Response is your reaction to these texts or discussions we have done in class. You can react according to your own experience or to something you have read or seen, as long as it has to do with what we are studying. If you wish, you can use the Study Questions as a guide if you can't think of anything of your own to write. If you use a text, you may choose which one(s) you wish to respond to; I would also suggest that you use these Responses as beginning work on your papers, where you can propose and ask questions. Each Response is worth one point on your final grade. Some Responses will be worth two points each for a total of 15 points.

For Each Paper:

In an essay of at least 1000 words, respond to the appropriate assignment as given. Use and demonstrate what you have learned in ENG 101: substantial content, unity, tight organization, proper syntax, correct mechanics, and accurate spelling. Use a handbook such as Writing, a College Handbook for advice about style and format; literature papers follow MLA. Ask questions if you do not understand, consult the Writing Standards (on Vista) for the rubric of grading.
Each paper should be substantial: do not argue for a proposition that is immediately obvious to any casual reader of the text or texts with which you are concerned. Do not simple repeat class discussions, except as a point of departure. State a precise thesis about your topic then support that thesis with specific details from the literature, including at least three or four exact quotations (which are not included as part of your 1000 words). The thesis should assert a specific proposal, not just rephrase the assignment (If the assignment is to compare X and Y, a good thesis would NOT be that "X and are comparable"). When comparing two items, you will probably want to emphasize either similarities or differences but your essay should contain both and then make a point about the comparison.
Give each paper a title, and perhaps a subtitle, that describes the paper's specific contents. The reader should know from your title which authors, texts, and/or characters your paper contains.
Organize each essay, and each paragraph, into units of attention as well as units of information. Arrange each unit to create expectation and fulfill it through an orderly progression of statements with a signal at the end that a conclusion has been reached. Both paragraphs and sentences within the paragraphs should have definite, obvious places that can be seen from their content. You might try looking at groups of paragraphs and at sentences within paragraphs in various orders to be sure you have the best and most logical progression and then go back and make sure each paragraph or sentence reflects the reason for your final order.
Document all your evidence, including material from your Norton text, and any other sources (including Web sites, and other quick fixes such as Cliff's Notes) with parenthetical page references. Remember that ideas and paraphrased information must be documented the same as work for word quotations. Plagiarism will be prosecuted fully.
Provide a Bibliography or List of Works Cited for all out of class writing, remembering that the format for bibliographical entries differs from the format for footnoting. See Simon and Schuster's Handbook for Writers; again MLA is the style used for literature papers.
Papers should be typed and one and a half. Leave a good margin on all sides for comments. Staple or clip; number your pages after the first.
Late papers will be penalized one-third letter grade for each day they are late.
Remember to turn in previous paper with the second paper.

You may choose one of the following topics; note you may decide on a topic yourself but it must be cleared with me. You may write a Paper on texts from either the first half of the course, up to an including Dante's Inferno (see prompts in section one below), or, from the second half of the course from Shakespeare's Hamlet to Kafka's Metamorphosis.(see prompts in section two below). Section three has more open prompts and you may use one of these for a text in either the first half of the course or the second half. There will be a sign up sheet for you to indicate in which half of the semester you will do your Paper.

Introduce a specific thesis about that topic, and then support that thesis with plentiful evidence from the appropriate literature. Document that evidence clearly and accurately. Organize your findings into an argument that has a clear and logical structure. Review the instructions above and remember, if you are not sure, first send your thesis to me by e-mail or ask after class.

Similarities and differences between the flood in Gilgamesh and the flood in Genesis

Similarities and differences between the Biblical creation narrative and the Ban Gu creation narrative or any other creation narrative that you wish to examine

Similarities and differences between the heroism of any two of the following: Gilgamesh , Odysseus, Antigone, or Aeneus.

The relationship between humanity and divinity in two of the following: Gilgamesh, The Bible, Homer, Antigone, or The Aeneid.

A comparison of heroes as wanderers; Odysseus, Aeneas, or Dante

The meaning of metamorphosis in Dante and Ovid or in other works we have read.

Using Dante’s theology, place a character from a work we have read, from contemporary life, or from another well known work, in a specific part of Dante’s Inferno, or in a hell of your own devising.

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The character of Hamlet and any previous depictions of heroes

Direct a scene from Hamlet: describe as accurately as possible your ideal handling of, for example, the opening scene, the closet scene.

A “Confession” written in the manner of Rousseau

Memory and time in Proust

The attitude of Tolstoy and Ilyich toward death and dying

Your interpretation of Kafka’s Metamorphosis

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The status of women in two of the works we have read, or a study of gender roles in works we have read.

The function(s) of love or time in two works.

An examination of a story we have read as seen in modern manifestations

Reinterpret one of the works we have read into another form

A topic of your choice (to be cleared with the teacher).