English 1102 – English Composition II
Georgia College  & State University
T/Th 8:00-9:15, A&S 368

Instructor: Ardith L. Brown
E-mail:  ardith.brown@gcsu.edu
Office:  A&S 153
Office phone:  445-2013
Office Hours:  T/Th 9:30-10:30 and 12:30-1:00

Required Materials:
	The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature.  ed. Meyer.
 	Kyrie.  Ellen Bryant Voigt
 	Rules for Writers.  ed. Hacker

Course Description:
English 1102 is designed to help you develop college-level reading and writing skills through the study of literature and to enlarge your critical thinking and analytical skills.  You will have a chance to unearth both a creative and intellectual voice which will grow and develop the more you write, and which will enhance ANY class you take at GCSU.  Together we will work towards achieving  the course goals laid out by the English Department faculty, and by the end of the semester you should be able to articulately express your ideas and discoveries through well written essays.  We will concentrate on issues of perception, originality, intelligence, and precision. Everyone loves a smart paper, and my personal goal is to challenge your old ideas of academic discourse through the study of fiction, poetry, and drama  Our text readings and writing assignments are designed to introduce you to a wide variety of styles and contents of writing.  You will be exposed to many different time periods and cultural contexts, as well as some literary criticism and argument. Remember: this is a writing class. Consider your classmates as fellow writers on the path toward self-discovery and the books as your maps to written self expression.  The content of this course is literature based, but you will continue to use the skills developed in English 1101 to analyze and explicate the works of many authors.  The difference between 1101 and 1102 is that now your focus will be writing about literature.  For some of you, this may be the only literature class you take at GCSU.  Soak it in.  Enjoy.  No matter what level of skills you may feel you possess, it's my job to guide you to better writing.  By the end of the semester you will have developed an academic and creative voice to carry with you through your stay at GCSU.  

Course Requirements:
	*Four essays (including one research-based essay)
	*Various drafts and revisions of your four essays
	*Various shorter writing assignments, including responses to our readings and discussion topics
	*One Final Exam
	*In class peer reviews and responses to your fellow students' writing
	*At least one individual conference	
	*Thoughtful, active class participation, including always being prepared for class and for being willing to 	share/discuss your ideas in class 

Evaluation:
Essay #1			10%
Essay #2			20%
Essay #3			20%
Essay #4			20%
Final Exam 			10%
Participation			20%

Please note:  You will be given feedback and a current grade at mid-semester.  I use a modified portfolio system for grading the requires you to turn in all drafts of an essay on the due date.  This will include:
 	Rough Draft – can be handwritten or typed; written in order to get down ideas; could be brought 	
	to class for peer review.
 	Working Draft – should be typed; will sometimes be photocopied and shared with peer groups 	
	and/or with me; will have changed significantly form the “rough draft” stage.
 	Final Draft – typed and carefully proofread; will be polished to the best of your abilities and will 
	incorporate earlier revision suggestions.
	Revision Plans -- 250 word mini-essays discussing revision strategies

Grading Criteria:
*“A” work has an introduction that explodes like a bomb and makes me want to keep reading.  The  writer's topic is original and fresh.  The writer is not afraid to tackle complicated issues or ideas and work to clarify them through writing.  The paper is relatively free of mechanical errors.  The writer has used excellent detail throughout, and the paper is focused, tight, and well organized.  Outside sources have been documented correctly and integrated into the text in a seamless way.  Analysis is in-depth and the writer's voice shines through in the writing.  The paper flows well.  The conclusion examines the broader implications of the essay in a thoughtful manner.  The writer enlightens me about something – I feel that I know something about the writer (and/or the world) that I didn't know before.

*”B” work fulfills the assignments given.  There is good detail, good use of example, good analysis.  The paper is mostly focused and strong.  Mechanical errors that are present do not interfere with my ability to read and understand the writing.  The paper has a good sense of structure bout does not demonstrate superior organization.  The writer's voice is present in some parts of the paper, but not strongly evident throughout.  There is much potential present.

 *”C” work  just barely fulfills the assignment given.  The writer has not bothered to give much detail or many examples.  A lot of the paper feels like filler.  The paper contains an unoriginal opening like “Webster's dictionary defines (blank) as...” or “In today's society...”  I don't get a clear sense of the writer's personal voice. The paper seems too broad – the writer has not focused on the topic enough.

*”D” work has not fulfilled the assignment.  The paper is far too broad or off-topic.  The paper fails to meet the length requirement.  The paper is incomprehensible because of major organizational/grammatical flaws.

*”F” work has either been blatantly plagiarized or is missing altogether.   

Attendance Policy:
You will not succeed in this class if you do not show up.  I will allow you three (3) absences for any reason – I won't differentiate between excused and unexcused absences.  Three is all you get.  Please be sure to use your absences wisely.  Exceptions to this policy will only be made in the case of hospitalization or another documentable emergency.  Fewer absences reflects favorably on you.  As your instructor, I have the right to drop you for absences, and to lower your final grade up to ten points for each absence over the allowed three.  We're all late sometimes, but habitual lateness will reflect in your participation grade.  If you are late, it is absolutely up to you to make sure I have not marked you absent.  It is also up to you to be responsible for whatever instruction you may have missed.

Other Course Policies:
No laptops – you must do all your writing by hand.  Sorry, but the temptation to surf is to great for us all.  I don't care if you eat in class, as long as it isn't stinky or crunchy.  Coffee and other beverages are welcomed; with this being an 8 a.m. section, caffeine is practically sanctioned.  If your phone rings during class, I reserve the right to answer it.  There is absolutely NO text messaging allowed.  It really, really bugs me, and you will be asked to leave the class for the day if it persists. Above all, please respect the thoughts and feelings of your fellow students.  Be courteous and respectful.  Our classroom should be an open, inviting environment where learning and sharing is encouraged.  I need your help to maintain this atmosphere.

Conferences:
Once (possibly twice) during the semester I will cancel class for out of class conferences.  These are mandatory.  It gives us a chance to have a one-on-one discussion of your writing.  Most students find this extremely rewarding and useful (so do I!).  Please come to your conference prepared with questions to ask and whatever other writing that might be associated with the assigned essay.  I am always available for additional conferences, if you need or want them.  All you have to do is ask.  If you miss your mandatory conference, it will count as two absences.

Completion of Assignments:
	*Papers must be typed or word processed.
	*Use Times New Roman for the font.
	*Papers must conform to MLA guidelines (more on that later).
	*All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date specified by me.  Absences do not change 		  due dates.
	*Hard copies on all papers, please.
	*Failure to complete any of the four major essays will result in an F for the course.

Late Assignments:
Your paper will be marked off considerably for each late class meeting.  I reserve the right to deduct 10 points per class period off the final grade of the paper.

Library:
The library is a fantastic facility and you should use it often.  We will meet at the library and take a tour, as well as learn about research tools sometime before the research assignment is given.  

Writing Center:
While I am always available to meet and discuss your writing, another fabulous resource is the Writing Center staff in 209 Lanier.  The graduate assistants will give you individualized help and it is absolutely free!  Practically all of my students who visit the Writing Center improve the quality of their work.  It is open M-F.  For more information call 445-3370.

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism Disclaimer:
As a student at Georgia College & State University , you are required to abide by the honor code.  Plagiarism is a serious violation of this code.  To avoid being charged with an Honor Code violation, you must never use information or ideas that are not your own without acknowledging your source.  I f you have ANY questions about plagiarism, please speak to me before turning in any assignments.  If I suspect you have plagiarized an assignment, I will refer you to the Honor Council, and if the Honor Council finds you guilty of plagiarism, you will automatically receive a failing grade for this course.

A Statement on Equal Opportunity:
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you have a disability that affects your progress as a student in this class, please meet with me so we may discuss how to create an environment in which you can best learn.  Your notification will be kept confidential.

COURSE SCHEDULE 
All readings are from Bedford Compact Introduction to Literature, unless otherwise noted. 
January
T	13	Welcome; course description/objectives; hand out syllabus

Th	15	Reading Imaginative Literature, pp. 1-7.  Reading Fiction, 13-23.
		Chopin: "The Story of an Hour" 15-16.  O'Brien: "How to Tell a True War Story"  542-552.	
______________________________________________________________________________________________
T	20	Formula (genre) Fiction, 22-46:  "A Secret Sorrow" and "A Sorrowful Woman"

Th	22	Plot:  69-79.  Jin: "Love in the Air" 79-89.  Faulkner: "A Rose for Emily"  90-98
______________________________________________________________________________________________
T	27	Dubus: "Killings" 102-115.  Carver: "Popular Mechanics"  287-289	

Th	29	Essay #1 Due/Peer Review
______________________________________________________________________________________________
February
T	3	Conferences

Th	5	Character:  117-123.  O'Connor:  "A Good Man is Hard to Find"  361-370
______________________________________________________________________________________________
T	10	Melville: "Bartleby the Scrivener"  124-152	
		Essay #1 Due
Th	12	Setting:  162-187 
		Hemingway: "A Soldier's Home."  Weldon: "Ind Aff."  Olen Butler: "Christmas 1910." 
______________________________________________________________________________________________
T	17	Proulx: "55 Miles to the Nearest Gas Pump"  464-465
		Literature of the South: 445-462
Th	19	Point of View: 188-204.  Obejas: "We Came All the Way From Cuba. . ."  	
_________________________________________________________________________________________
T	24	Chekhov: "The Lady with the Pet Dog"  204-218
		Oates: "The Lady with the Pet Dog"  219-234
	
Th	26	Symbolism:  237-261.  Collete: "The Hand."  Ellison: "Battle Royal."  Meinke "The Cranes"
______________________________________________________________________________________________

March
T	3 	Theme: 262-282.  Crane: "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky."  Mansfield: "Miss Brill"
		Gilb: "Love Comes to L.A."

Th	5	Style, Tone, and Irony: 288-301.  Minot: "Lust."  Poe: "The Cask of Amontillado" 553-557	
		Essay #2 Due
______________________________________________________________________________________________
T	10	Reading Poetry:  569-590.  "On 'Hard' Poetry" 606.  

Th	12	Word Choice, Order, and Tone:  622-658 (poems as assigned).
______________________________________________________________________________________________
T	17	Images:  659-680 (poems as assigned).
		
Th	19	Figures of Speech:  681-702 (poems as assigned).
______________________________________________________________________________________________
T	24	Spring Break	
Th	26	Spring Break	
______________________________________________________________________________________________
T	30	Sounds (Rhyme):  725-757 (poems as assigned).
April
Th	2	Patterns of Rhythm:  752-772  (poems as assigned).
		Rough Draft Essay #3 Due
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
T	7	Conferences

Th	9	Poetic Forms/Open Forms:  773-718  (poems as assigned).
		
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
T	14	The Sonnet: Kyrie
		Essay #3 Due
	
Th	16	Reading Drama: 1045-1060 (plays as assigned).
		
______________________________________________________________________________________________
T	21	Elements of Drama: 1060-1088 (plays as assigned).
		
Th	23	Wilson: Fences  
______________________________________________________________________________________________
T	28	Wilson: Fences

Th	30	Critical Strategies for Reading (Literary Criticism): 1533-1546.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
May
T	4	Literary Criticism and Argument: 1546-1559.
		Essay #4 Due

Th	7	FINAL EXAM