Please note: your final papers are due at raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com by Thursday of next week.
Please mark FINAL on your final papers. You need to turn in only 3 revised papers with the writing rubric attached at the end of the paper. Please analyze your paper according to the rubric.
9/19/11
We haven't had many meetings in class. Please note that I am taking attendance. You will be required to write a five page paper on Grapes of Wrath (the first half), and it will be due by the first week of October.
I will have you do some in class writing on the book on Literary Theory. By next week, you should have read all of Literary Theory by Jonathan Culler. You should have a copy of Grapes of Wrath and should begin analyzing it. Please complete assignments on time.
The in class essay test on Literary Theory will be on Tuesday and Thursday of next week.
Please plan to attend class.
Online instruction does not replace attendance in class.
8/23/11
We discussed the importance of literary theory. Literary theory borrows ideas from different disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, cultural studies, semiotics, mathematics, science, philosophy, and other disciplines.
Literary theory also arises from the rise of identity politics in American society, which stems from the Civil Rights movement, the rise of feminism, the resistance of postcolonial societies to colonial or imperialistic narratives, and contemporary debates about sexuality and identity.
Some important critical theorists:
Jacques Derrida
Jacques Lacan
Roland Barthes
Theodore Adorno
Herbert Marcuse
Julia Kristeva
There are also literary theorists who support a conventional approach to the study of literature. They believe that there is a literary canon, which is comprised of classics that every cultured person should have read. They also equate literature with high culture and with the cultural capital of a nation.
They believe that the rise of literary theory has led to the decline of the appreciation of classical literature. These literary critics tend to emphasize the style of a literary text and believe that literature is a restrictred type of expression not accessible to the masses.
One of the questions we will explore as we study literary theory is the question: what defines literature?
Some literary theorists believe that literature is special use of language where conventional uses of language no longer apply. Therefore, literary language uses metaphors, tropes, and other devices that would not be present in ordinary speech or everyday discourse.
Another question arises: what is the meaning of literature?
Be prepared to write about these questions using quotes from Literary Theory in an in class essay test.
One element of literature is also ambiguity.
Saussure's theory of language: language is a system of differences.
Ferdinand Saussure: Swiss linguist
Another theory about literature is that literature only exists within particular cultures. Literature exists because of conventions in a particular society that change from one society to the next.
Studies in Literary Topics
Course Information: Instructor:
Dr. Comprone
Fall semester 2011
Class Time: Office:
1-2:15 p.m. RH 136
Classroom: Office Hours:
RH Humanities Conf. Room
Office Phone: Credit Hours:
contact by email only 3
Email: raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com
Website: www.comprone.info
Pre-requisite: This course is an upper level course primarily designed for English majors.
Required Texts:
Culler, Jonathan D. Literary Theory. New York: Sterling, 1997.
Silko, Leslie Marmon. The Turquoise Ledge. New York: Viking, 2010.
Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. Intro. Robert Demott. New York:
Penguin, 1992.
McMillan, Terry. Waiting to Exhale.
Selection of Texts:
We will begin with Literary Theory by Jonathan Culler.
Course Description:
This course is designed for upper level English students who are interested in developing a comprehensive understanding of contemporary literature. You will learn how to write an effective essay in this course, and you will learn about theories concerning contemporary literature. We will discuss different literary works and their historical, cultural, and political significance.
Course Rationale:
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to write effectively on the graduate level.
Course Goals, Objectives, and Corresponding Program Outcomes:
1 Students will complete two 5 page essays on selected novels of their choice, as well as two Powerpoint presentations
2 Students will develop the ability to write at the graduate level
3 Students will develop critical thinking skills
4 Students will be able to use the tools of contemporary critical theory
Expectations for Student Behavior as Related to Course Objectives and Their Corresponding Program Outcomes:
Please arrange for meeting with me during office hours. Students must behave appropriately by: 1) avoiding talking when the professor is speaking, 2) being punctual (students will lose points for tardiness and excessive absences), 3) ALWAYS bringing their textbooks to class, 4) actively participating in class, 5) not plagiarizing, 6) avoiding the use of foul language and abusive behavior, 8) adhere to the dress code, 9) do not use any slang or inappropriate language in your speeches, 10) being polite to other students, and 11) send all revisions of your assignments with an email to raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com (you must CLEARLY label your assignment and the attachment when you send it to my email. In the text of your email, put your name, the course you are taking, and the assignment that you are attaching. If you send an assignment to the wrong email, you are responsible for the missing assignment).
The attendance policy is as follows:
Students missing more than 6 times (EXCUSED or UNEXCUSED) must WITHDRAW or receive a
failing grade of F.
This policy will be strictly enforced.
Students with 2 or less absences will receive an additional 10% for their final grade. Excused absences will not be factored into this calculation, e.g. a student who has three excused absences and no unexcused absences will not receive an additional 10% added to his or her final grade.
Students cannot obtain excuses for absences after the semester is over.
Class Format, Process, and Methods of Instruction:
Students can only receive incompletes upon permission by the instructor (an incomplete can only be filed for during the semester) and only if they are experiencing financial difficulties or a grave personal matter (I must be notified in person by the student or by a relative before the end of the semester). Excuses will only be accepted from the Provost's office. I will only accept assignments in person (do not slip any assignments under my office door--I am not responsible if any of these assignments should end up missing). It is the student's responsibility to make up any missing work and to check on his or her grade during the semester. Absolutely no excuses for absences can be issued after the semester is completed (if you do not show me the excuse during the semester--you have to show me the excuse in person, do not put it under my door--I will not give you an excuse--this applies to athletes as well). Athletes must personally give me a copy of their game schedule and indicate to me the days they will be absent. They must also make up any work and or missed instruction the day after their absence. ABSOLUTELY no grade changes are possible after the semester. Please check with me before the end of the semester to see if you have any outstanding work to complete.
In Class Exams and coursework: 50%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final Exam 20%
Participation, classwork, and attendance 10%
Grading Scale:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
59% and below F
Course Outline and Assignment Due Dates:
TBA
Tentative List of Assigned Readings and Assignments:
TBA
FINAL EXAM
Recommended Internet Sites: www.comprone.info for updates on assignments, syllabi, poetry club submissions (extra credit)
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