Three hours credit

Course Prerequisites: none

This class in World Literature I surveys world literature from its beginning to approximately 1600. You will be reading a great deal and learning facts about the literature. In addition, you will be learning how to research literary topics and how to respond to literature in a variety of ways. Your assignments will consist of two tests, four mini-papers, on-line discussion threads, on-line research, and responses to others’ comments on the literary selections.

Any literature course is a heavily text-based course so be prepared to read and reflect on what you read!

Mack, Maynard, ed. The Norton Anthology: World Masterpieces, Expanded Edition. Vol. 1. New York: Norton, 1995.

Dial-Driver, Emily. Guide to College Writing. Dallas: McGraw-Hill,1999.

Harnack, Andrew, and Eugene Kleppinger. Online! A Reference Guide to Using Internet Sources. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2000.

You will take two tests. Tests will be timed and open book.

Other than the two tests, your grade will be based on research reports, mini-papers, and your reactions to other students’ mini-papers.

In accordance with the Rogers State University mission and the mission of the Department of Communications and Fine Arts, this course leads to the following outcomes:

1. World Literature I is designed for those students aspiring to associate’s or baccalaureate degrees.
2. World Literature I is designed to build and display effective communication skills and creative and critical thinking in an atmosphere of academic freedom which encourages interaction in a positive academic climate.
3. This course is designed to create opportunities for cultural, intellectual, and personal enrichment for students.

The student should be able to demonstrate ability to—

1. use literary terms correctly in relation to world literature selections in essay question answers and in paragraphs/essays
2. describe the genres of world fiction in essay question answers and in paragraphs/essays
3. describe how the genres of literature change from area to area and from era to era in essay question answers and in paragraphs/essays
4. use research techniques to find information on world literature and incorporate that research in essay question answers and in paragraph/essays
5. produce essay question answers, paragraphs, and essays that reveal critical thinking skills in the areas of evaluation and synthesis.

By the end of the semester students will have

Exit Assessment: Students will take an exit assessment of a short 120-minute essay test on literary works, terms, and genres.

All student work will be held to the following academic criteria:

Accuracy of information

Organization and clarity of thoughts

Depth of critical thinking and observation

Satisfaction of defined requirements (deadlines, etc.)

Acceptable writing mechanics

Fidelity of work (no plagiarism, cheating, etc.)

Evidence of creative or innovative thinking

Effective cooperative learning

Grade Composition

Grades will be based on the following:

The Communications and Fine Arts Division has adopted a standard grading scale:

90-100% A

80- 89% B

70-79% C

60-69% D

Sample Essays

The Guide to College Writing includes essays in an appendix. Each of these essays is the equivalent of an "A" or "A-" essay for Composition I and/or Composition II.

Although I furnish you an e-mail address, you may not submit assignments by e-mail. You must submit your assignments in hard copy, properly assembled, etc. You may ask questions by e-mail, of course.

Come to class prepared, having read the material to be discussed, ready to discuss and participate, bringing appropriate supplies, such as texts, paper, pen, etc.

Essays should be typed. Other assignments should be typed or written on the front of loose-leaf notebook paper in ink. (No spiral notebook paper or papers written in pencil will be accepted.)

All assignments should be properly assembled to hand in at the beginning of the class period in which they are due. Do not expect time to finish or to assemble assignments during class.

Failure to comply with these requests will be seen as denoting lack of respect for the class, the instructor, and your classmates.

Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism is representing someone else's ideas or work as your own. To avoid plagiarism, when you use someone else's data, arguments, designs, words, ideas, project, etc., you must make it clear that the work originated with someone else by citing the source. Please review the Student Code of Responsibilities and Conduct published by Rogers State University for a full discussion of "Code of Academic Conduct" and plagiarism penalties.

* NOTE: The contents of Web sites listed are not certified by Rogers State University and/or the instructor and the information may not be accurate. The sites may contain information, presentation, perceptions, and/or attitudes that are not the views of Rogers State University and/or the instructor. In addition, sites and information on sites are subject to change and/or deletion without warning. You should also know that neither Rogers State University nor the instructor of this course intends that you violate the copyright of the web page by downloading the page in its entirety or by using the information in any way that will infringe on the copyright of the person or entity which posted the page.

Assignments turned in late will lose points at 10% per day up to 30%. No late work is accepted more than two weeks after the initial submission date.

World Literature I includes some lecture elements and much discussion. Therefore, it is important that you be in class. You will not receive points for attendance, but you will not do well on the assignments without the benefit of the class discussions. Thus, to achieve a good grade in the class attendance is MANDATORY.

It is your responsibility to be in class on time. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what has happened in class and what is due. Absence is not an excuse for not having assignments or for not being aware of what is due or what is required.

If you are late, you need to inform me after class that you came in. Otherwise, you might not receive credit for your presence. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not receive credit for attendance. It is better to be late than to miss a complete class, but it is better not to be late.

No extra credit will be offered.

• Come to class prepared, having read the material to be discussed, ready to discuss and participate, bringing appropriate supplies, such as texts, paper, pen, etc.

• If you have a paper due, come to class with your paper assembled and stapled for submission.
• Most assignments, including all essays and journal entries, should be typed. Other assignments should be typed or written on the front of loose-leaf notebook paper in ink. (Spiral notebook paper is always unacceptable.)
• Please do not use ANY tobacco products in the classroom; do not wear hats or caps.
• Do not bring pagers or cell phones with audible notifications into the classroom.

If you have special physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities, please let me know immediately so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation to the office of Student Relations, Prep. Hall 110.

Computers are available in the University Preparatory Academy, Thunderbird Library, and Student Support Services. Computers may also be available in BH 205.

The schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

NOTE: Much of the structure and content of this course is based on material in the Paula Berggren (with the Editors) edition of Teaching with The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces (Expanded Edition): A Guide for Instructors, New York: W.W. Norton,1995.

Attending college is analogous to being employed. Success on the job is achieved only with hard work and effort. This is also true of college.

Your employer expects you to be on the job every day, on time, and prepared to work. You are allowed only a specific number of sick days each year after which your pay is "docked." This is also true in classes. Regular and prompt attendance/participation is essential.

Meetings are an essential part of the workplace culture, and everyone is expected to attend regularly and to contribute to the discussion. If you miss an excessive number of meetings and/or do not share information, your employment success is in jeopardy. The same holds true for this class. You are not only expected to attend all of our on-line "meetings," but you are expected to contribute to the discussion. This requires that you come prepared to discuss the assigned material. Failure to do so will put your success in jeopardy.

Your employer requires you to submit all reports on time. Failure to do so will endanger your employer’s business and your success. The same is true for this class. All "reports" (papers, etc.) are due at the scheduled time (see syllabus). If, for a justified reason, you will not be able to meet the time schedule, you must notify me, just as you would contact your employer if you needed an extension. However, as in the workplace, such extensions do not come without a cost. Extensions result in a decrease in your "salary" (grade).

Performance reviews occur periodically in the workplace, and your employer determines the degree of your success during these reviews. Such is the case in this class. The "performance reviews" for this class are papers and other assignments. These reviews require you to show not only your knowledge of the material, but also your ability to use this knowledge. Your "pay" (grade) depends on the quality of your performance.

If you attend class regularly, participate in class discussions, and submit all materials, well prepared and in a timely fashion, you have the potential to excel in this class. I am looking forward to working with you and to learning with you. I am always available if you need assistance.

Good luck! Good writing!

adapted, with permission, from Bremer, Joyce C. "The Responsible Student." Innovation Abstracts 20.17 (4 Sep. 1998): 1.

 

Now that you have read the syllabus and are familiar with the class and its requirements, you should fill out and submit the student contract.

"

Read each statement carefully, sign, and submit this contract. This contract must be on file for you to remain enrolled in the class.

I have read and understood the guidelines and requirements in the syllabus.

I understand that this class is for three hours college credit; this implies three hours of "class meeting." Even though I may not be required to be in "attendance" for that three hours, I understand I have a three-hour participation commitment.

I understand that each hour of college credit usually requires two or more hours per week study time outside of class. I understand that means I have a reading/study/research/writing commitment of six or more hours per week outside the three-hour participation requirement.

I understand that participation is required.

I understand that this class involves deadlines.

I understand literary/academic/periodical selections for this class may contain controversial or "offensive" material; this is the nature of some works.

Name: ___________________________

Date: ___________________________

Signature: ____________________________