Syllabus, English 240, Summer 2013

7/30/2019 Syllabus, English 240, Summer 2013

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Mrs. Sarena Lee-Schott,

Chair and Associate Professor

English Department

Prairie State College

English 240-IN1: Introduction to Fiction (Online Section)

Contact Information

Phone:(708) 709-3665 Email: [email protected] Office Location: Room 2225 Office Hours: During the summer semester, my office hours are by appointment only.

I nteractive Table of Contents

About the Professor

Course Description and Instructional Materials

Course Policies and Expectations

List of Assignments with Point Scale and Grade Descriptions

Course Schedule of Reading and Assignments by ModuleModule 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4Module 5

Module 6

Module 7Module 8
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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ABOUT THE PROFESSOR

I am a native of Chicago--and a Sox fan. Please don't hold that against me. I became a Cubs fan-in-law [by way of marriage] in July 2008. Oh, and go Bears!!!

I attended Chicago State University, where I received a BA in English with a concentration inProfessional and Technical Writing in 2001. In 2004, I completed an MA in Writing Theory andPedagogy at DePaul University.

Prior to coming to Prairie State College as a fulltime instructor, and before I began teaching, Iworked in purchasing and finance at Provident Hospital of Cook County for thirteen years. I

worked fulltime while pursuing my BA and MA, so I understand what it is like to be a working

student with a variety responsibilities.

I previously taught at ITT Technical Institute, Trinity Christian College, Truman College, and

Moraine Valley Community College. I joined Prairie State College as adjunct (part-time) faculty

in 2005 and became a full-time professor at PSC in 2006. In January 2009, I was awarded tenure,and I became Coordinator of the Learning Communities program in 2011 and Chair of the

English Department in 2012.

Some of my faves include: my husband and son, trying different ethnic foods, different genresof music, and traveling to places with warm climates. Some of my non-faves include: cold

weather, snow, and horror movies.

I look forward to working with you! Good luck, and have a great semester!

All Best,

Prof. Lee-Schott


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COURSE DESCRIPTION

AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is an introduction to fiction with special emphasis on understanding and appreciation

of short stories and novels. The primary focus is on developing or refining student's' abilities toread critically, to learn about the principal literary elements of fiction, and to improve writing

skills through the use of literature as subject matter. Writing activities include both short and

longer forms of traditional academic writing including critical reader-response writing, essays,

and exams.

Although this is an online course, my expectations for the quality of your work will be as high as

if we were meeting in a traditional classroom. Please feel free to contact me if, at any point, you

are experiencing challenges with functioning in the learning environment. Meanwhile, whileenrolled in this course, there are certain learning outcomes to which I expect you to adhere and

which I require you to demonstrate.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:

Giovannis Room by James Baldwin The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh The Seagull Reader: Stories, Second Edition by Joseph Kelly, editor For each module, I have posted links to videos, website, and e-handouts, and students are

expected to use these resources as well as to read the assigned short stories and novels.

For this class, you are responsible for ensuring that you have:

Data storage deviceother than hard drive [floppy disk, USB drive] Reliable Internet connection: Please remember that it is your responsibility to completeall assignments by the specified due dates. Special consideration will not be given for late

assignments as a result of loss of Internet connection, issues with computer hardware, etc.

If you experience issues with your connection, or you do not have a computer at your

place of residence, consider one of the following free alternative resources:

o PSC computer labs located in the Student Success Center, Learning AchievementCenter, and the library

o Governors State Universityo Local public libraries

RECOMMENDED TEXT: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th Edition, Modern Language

Association, ISBN 978-1603290241


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COURSE POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS

College-wide Learn ing Outcomes:These outcomes, developed by the faculty at Prairie State

College, include basic skills needed by all students across disciplines. Thus, in addition to

fulfilling requirements of specific courses, PSC students will work towards developing and

refining general skills that are beneficial in all courses.

1. Communication: Students will demonstrate skills for effective verbal and non verbalcommunication. In this course, students are expected to:

Actively read all assigned material, including literature and other supporting resources.Active [or close] reading means that you evolve from appreciating the text to makingyour own observations and posing your of questions about what you read.

Interact in all discussion boards by sharing your own ideas, as well as by reading andresponding to the ideas of others.

Complete all discussion questions for assigned readings by providing thorough,thoughtful answers.

Exhibit the ability to write papers, which demonstrate writing and interpretation skills. Write a researched position paper, using MLA style and secondary sources, to make an

argument about a piece of literature.

Utilize computer literacy skills while functioning in the online learning environment. Inthis course, utilization defined as: possessing access to the internet on a consistent basis,utilizing Blackboard and PSC student email, and incorporating any other hardware,

software, or online resources needed to be successful in the course.

Apply the basic rules and conventions of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics whilecompleting all written work.

2. Computer Literacy: Students will effectively apply computer-based technologies toaccess, manipulate, use, and present information. In this course, students are expected to: Successfully send and receive email messages, including file attachments. Effectively use search engines to obtain information. Demonstrate intermediate-level word processing skills: character formatting, paragraph

formatting, and page formatting.

Format a research paper, including: citations, page numbering, headers and footers, and stylesheets.

3. Discipline-Specific Knowing: Student will demonstrate the ability to organizeinformation; identify and apply the terminology, techniques, and skills; and transfer

learning within the specific discipline. In this course, students are expected to:

To understand basic elements of fiction and critical approaches to literature To explore works in which these elements are developed and these approaches can be

used to understand and interpret assigned readings.

Develop or improve the ability to appreciate and to discuss literature in small and largegroups.


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4. Problem Solving: Students will locate and identify information, determine whatproblems exist, develop solutions, evaluate results, and extend results to new situations.

In this course, students are expected to:

Provide a synthesized analysis of information presented in assigned readings. Use observation, experience, reflection, and reasoning to develop understandings of

literal and implicit information presented in assigned readings. Respond to assigned readings by sharing thoughts, reactions, and questions about them.

5. Professionalism: Students will identify and practice standards and shared expectationsof the academic environment, as well as the workplace. In this course, students are

expected to:

Maintain consistence attendance while enrolled in the course. Attendance is triggered byyour consistent participation. In this course, participation is defined as timely completion ofessays, assignments, and tests and by your CONSISTENT participation in discussion boards.

You are able to earn a total of 160 participation points this semester.

Demonstrate integrity in the completion and submission of all assignments. If you areunaware of PSC statement on academic honesty, please visit and review:

http://www.prairiestate.edu/c_student/acadhonest.html.

Display courtesy and regard for one another. Absolute agreement is NEVER required, butrespect is ALWAYS required. Always be sure to demonstrate proper netiquette.

6. Social and Cultural Awareness: Students will demonstrate awareness of the diversity ofthe global community and practice appropriate behaviors towards others. In this course,

students are expected to:

Develop their understanding of the differences between themselves and people fromother countries or other backgrounds

Demonstrate awareness of the problems that different societies and communities face andconsciousness of the difficulties and hardships of society.

Identify stereotypes and differences. Have knowledge of why differences and commonalities exist.

Awareness will be developed as a result of review and discussion of assigned readings andillustrated in class discussions and writing assignments.

Poli cy on Late Assignments:

Some assignments can be submitted late. Late deadlines for selected assignments are postedin D2L.

When assignments are submitted late, students will incur an eleven percent grade deductionpenalty, which means that eleven percent will be deducted from the final grades of

assignments submitted late.
http://www.prairiestate.edu/c_student/acadhonest.htmlhttp://www.prairiestate.edu/c_student/acadhonest.htmlhttp://www.prairiestate.edu/c_student/acadhonest.html


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LIST OF ASSIGNMENTS WITH POINT SCALE

AND GRADE DESCRIPTIONS

Test Email Quizzes (7)

Discussions (7) Essay Exams (3) Final Comprehensive Exam

10 points 232 points

140 points 750 points 300 points

Total Points: 1432 pointsPoint Scale:

A.1288.8 to 1432 pointsB.1145.6 to 1288.87 points

C.1002.4 to 1145.5 points

D.859.2 to 1002.3 points

F. 0 to 859.1 points

Grade What does this letter grade mean?

A has achieved outstanding mastery of course materialsB exceeds average and acceptable mastery of course material

C has achieved average and acceptable mastery of course material

D has achieved minimal of mastery of course materialF. has not achieved mastery of course materials

FW. A student who receives an FW has, prior to the end of the semester, discontinued

participation in this course. Current federal regulations and PSC board policy

require that students who walk away from a course must receive this grade


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COURSESCHEDULEOFREADINGSANDASSIGNMENTS

BYMODULE

All assignments in this course must be submitted by 11:59 pm on each deadline date.

Module # Readings and Instructional Materials Whats Due?

Module 1

May 28 to

June 2

For Module 1, become acquainted with the course by readingthe syllabus, reviewing our course site in Desire2Learn

(D2L), and using the tips and resources for success in

English 240, which are posted in the Syllabus submenu in

Content.

Also, please be sure to read and watch all links to required

coursework that have been posted in D2L for this module.

Due May 31:

Module 1 DiscussionInitial Post

Due June 2:

Test Email Quiz: Elements of Fiction Module 1 Discussion

Responses to Classmates

Module 2

June 2 toJune 9

Read:

Sherman Alexie, What You Pawn I Will Redeem

James Baldwin, Sonnys Blues Raymond Carver, Cathedral Louise Erdrich, Im a Mad Dog Biting Myself for

Sympathy

William Faulkner, A Rose for Emily Nathaniel Hawthorn, Young Goodman Brown



Due June 7:


Due June 9:

Module 2 DiscussionResponses to Classmates

Module 2 Quiz

Module 3

June 10 to

June 16

Read:

Ernest Hemingway, Hills Like White Elephants O. Henry, The Furnished Room D. H. Lawrence, The Horse Dealers Daughter Herman Melville, Bartleby, the Scrivener Joyce Carol Oates, Where Are You Going, Where

Have You Been?

Tim OBrien, The Things They CarriedAlso, please be sure to read and watch all links to required


Due June 14:


Due June 16:


Module 3 Quiz

Module 4

June 17 to

June 23

Read:

Katherine Anne Porter, The Jilting of GrannyWeatherall

Leslie Marmon Silko, Yellow Woman John Steinbeck, The Chrysanthemums John Updike, A & P Alice Walker, Everyday Use Eudora Welty, A Worn Path



Due June 21:


Due June 23:

Essay Exam 1


Module 4 Quiz


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Module 5

June 24 to

June 30

Read:

James Baldwin, Giovannis Room (Yes, I expect you toread the entire book this week.)



Due June 28:


Due June 30:


Module 5 QuizModule 6

July 1 to

July 7

Read:

Vanessa Diffenbaugh, The Language of Flowers, PartOne and Part Two



Due July 5:


Due July 7:

Essay Exam 2 Module 6 Discussion



July 8 to

July 14

Read:

Vanessa Diffenbaugh, The Language of Flowers, PartThree and Part Four

Also, please be sure to read and watch all links torequired coursework that have been posted in D2L

for this module.

Due July 12: Module 7 Discussion

Initial Post

Due July 14:

Essay Exam 3 Module 7 Discussion



July 15 to

July 18

There are no readings or instructional materials assignment

during this module.

Due July 18:

Final ComprehensiveExam

Documents

Syllabus, English 240, Summer 2013