Syllabus
English 6685: Graduate Seminar in Critical Approaches to Literature, Fall 2009
Section 01 (CRN 81380): M 5:30-8:15PM, Arts & Sciences 215
Professor: Dr. Alex E. Blazer |
Phone: 478.445.0964 |
Office: Arts & Sciences 330 |
Email: alex.blazer@gcsu.edu |
Office Hours: M 3:30-5:15PM, TR 2:30-3:20PM, and by appt |
The graduate course catalog describes English 6685 as "an intense study of the scholarly criticism of selected primary works." This section will focus on the metafiction, pastiche, paradox, fragmentariness, hyperreality, and ontological instability of the postmodern novel. After defining postmodernism, we will study both theory and criticism of the postmodern novel. A typical class period will consist of three discussions: 1) the week's novel, 2) a theoretical article useful in interpreting the novel, and 3) scholarly criticism of the novel. Assignments include appreciation and interrogation responses, a book review, and a seminar paper. This course's Academic Assessment page describes our topics:
- A focused, intensive study of a specific topic of special interest with particular attention to the scholarly criticism of that topic;
- Thorough consideration the issues raised by the scholarly material concerning the topic, including some attention to the history of the topic, its relationship to contemporary theoretical concerns, and the possibility for making an intervention into the scholarly conversation;
- Attention to the process of writing a professional-quality research paper.
as well as expected course outcomes:
- Be able to demonstrate mastery of the specific course topic at an advanced level;
- Employ the primary and secondary material considered in the class, as well as discovered in individual research, to write a properly documented, extensive paper that demonstrates professional engagement with the study of literature and a thorough understanding of the critical issues surrounding the topic;
- Discuss the course material knowledgeably in a seminar setting.
required (GCSU Bookstore or Amazon.com)
Acker, Blood and Guts in High School
Auster, The New York Trilogy
Barth, Lost in the Funhouse
Chabon, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
(Chabon's novel may be substituted for a 2009 novel chosen by the class)
Danielewski, House of Leaves
DeLillo, White Noise
Morrison, Beloved
Nabokov, Pale Fire
Pynchon, Gravity's Rainbow
Reed, Mumbo Jumbo
required (GALILEO and GeorgiaView)
literary criticism and theory
recommended
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed.
Orr, Don DeLillo's White Noise: A Reader's Guide
Weisenburger, A Gravity's Rainbow Companion: Sources and Contexts
Assignments and Grade Distribution
Appreciations and Interrogations, 5% each, 30% total
You will write three appreciations and three interrogations, 2-3 pages each, of critical interpretations of our postmodern novels. Appreciations summarize the article's critical methodology and and enhance its literary interpretation; interrogations question the methodology and contest the interpretation.
book review, 10%
You will write a 4-6 page book review like those published in scholarly journals. Choose a book written on one of our primary texts or a book written on postmodern theory.
annotated bibliography, 10%
You will research and annotate 15 sources to help you write your seminar paper. At least 10 of the sources should be criticism of the primary text and some sources may be theoretical articles you will apply to your interpretation of the primary text. Each 75-100 word annotation should provide the source's interpretive thesis and methodology and also tell how the source could be helpful for your seminar paper.
seminar paper, 40%
You will write a 15-20 page seminar paper entering, engaging, and advancing the scholarly discourse of a postmodern novel either discussed in class or selected by you and approved by the professor. Your essay should be worthy of being presented at a conference, integrate at least seven secondary sources, and apply at least two theoretical articles. You will also submit a 250 word conference proposal/abstract and read 10 pages of your work-in-progress paper for class (and perhaps class visitors) question and answer, akin to a conference panel.
Class Preparation and Participation
The small class size of this reading and discussion intensive graduate seminar requires each of us to come to class having read, annotated, and reviewed the week's material.
Office Hours and Professor Email
I encourage you to stop by my office hours to discuss any aspect of the course, literature, or life. I'm happy to answer minor questions such as due dates over email, but I prefer face-to-face conversations for more substantive topics like papers and exams. Please use email etiquette.
GeorgiaVIEW and Student Email
We will be using GeorgiaVIEW for assignment upload and GCSU email for class communication (please do not send email inside GeorgiaVIEW). It is your responsibility to learn GeorgiaView as well as to check your university email for possible course related messages.
MLA Style
Formal assignments should adhere to the Modern Language Association (MLA) style. Formal papers and take-home exams require MLA style while in-class exams; discussion board responses, informal writing, and peer review may be informally formatted. One-third of a letter grade will be deducted from a formal paper or take-home exam for problems in each of the following three categories, for a possible one letter grade deduction total: 1) header, heading, and title, 2) margins, font, and line-spacing, and 3) quotation and citation format. Before you turn in a formal paper, make sure your work follows MLA style by using the checklist on the MLA style handout. I encourage students to use my MS Word template.
Attendance
Because our seminar is discussion-centered and meets once per week, and since two of those weeks are already cancled due to Labor Day and fall break, attendance is mandatory and students have only one skip day. Missing two class periods will result in a one letter final grade deduction and missing two three classes will result in a two letter grade penalty and so forth. Habitual tardies, consistently leaving class early, texting, and surfing the internet will be treated as absences. Excuses like work, family, and scheduled doctor's appointments will be declined. The only acceptable excuses are death in one's immediate family and one's own medical emergency. If you participate in an extracurricular activity that you anticipate will cause you to miss class, I suggest you switch sections now. You can check your attendance online by looking for your course number and the last four digits of your student identification number.
Late Assignments
There will be a one letter assignment grade deduction per day (not class period) for any assignment that is turned in late. I sparingly give short extensions if you request one for a valid need; however you must make the request at least one day before the assignment is due. I will inform you via email if I cannot open an electronically submitted assignment; however, your assignment will be considered late until you submit it in a file I can open. I neither read nor grade assignments that are turned in more than five days late for whatever reason, be it extension or computer error. Failing to submit (or resubmit) an assignment that is worth 15% or more of the course grade within five days (not class periods) of its due date will result in automatic failure of the course. Failing to submit (or resubmit) a final exam or final paper within two days of its due date will result in automatic failure of the course.
Plagiarism
Do not do it. The Honor Code defines plagiarism as "presenting as one's own work the words or ideas of an author or fellow student. Students should document quotes through quotation marks and footnotes or other accepted citation methods. Ignorance of these rules concerning plagiarism is not an excuse. When in doubt, students should seek clarification from the professor who made the assignment." Section 3.01 of the Academic Affairs Handbook elaborates other examples of academic dishonesty and outlines disciplinary procedures and appeals for academic misconduct. As plagiarism is not tolerated at GCSU, any student found guilty of willful plagiarism will fail the assignment and the course.
Failure of the Course
There are three ways to fail the course: 1) failing to regularly attend class, 2) plagiarizing, 3) failing an assignment that is worth 15% or more of the course grade, be it from poor quality, lateness of submission, or a combination of poor quality and lateness. By contrast, students who regularly attend class, complete their work with academic integrity, and submit assignments on time will pass the course.
Withdrawal
The last day to add a course is Friday, August 21. The last day to drop a course without fee penalty is Friday, August 21. The last day to withdraw without academic penalty (unless previously assigned an F by professor for absences) is Friday, October 16.
Disability Services
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and GCSU's Policy For Students with Disabilities that Affect Learning, if there is a student in this class who has a disability that may affect her learning and progress, please meet with me so we can discuss your particular needs. Notification will be kept confidential. Students with disabilities should also contact Mike Chambers, mike.chambers@gcsu.edu or 445-5931, at Disability Services in Maxwell Student Union 133.
The Writing Center
The Writing Center is a free service available to all members of the university community. Consultants assist writers in the writing process, from conception and organization of compositions to revision to documentation of research. Located in Lanier Hall 209, the Center is open Monday through Friday. Call 445-3370 or email writingcr@gcsu.edu for more information.
Special Notice to Students in the Arts & Sciences Building
In the event of a fire alarm signal students should exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit. First and Second floor classes should exit through ground level exits; Third floor classes through nearest stairwell to a ground level exit. Do not use elevator. Third floor stairwells are areas where disabled people may communicate with rescue workers. Be familiar with the floorplan and exits of this building.