Syllabus
English 6685 The Postmodern Novel, Spring 2024
WF 5:00-7:45 p.m., Arts & Sciences 353
Professor
Dr. Alex E. Blazer
478.445.0964
Office Hours: MWF 12:00-12:50 p.m. and W 3:00-4:45 p.m., Arts & Sciences 330 and Microsoft Teams
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 an annotated bibliography, a book review, a comparison/contrast paper, 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 (Amazon or University Bookstore)
Acker, My Mother: Demonology
Calvino, If on a Winter's Night a Traveler
DeLillo, Underworld
Cha, Dictee
Fowles, French Lieutenant's Woman
Morrison, Beloved
Nabokov, Pale Fire
Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49
Reed, Mumbo Jumbo
Ross, Oreo
Winterson, Sexing the Cherry
required (GeorgiaVIEW)
recommended (Amazon)
MLA Handbook, 9th ed.
Assignments and Grade Distribution
annotated bibliography, 10%
You will research and annotate 10 scholarly sources criticizing an in-class novel.
book review, 25%
You will write a 8-10 page book review of a monograph on one of our novelists or the postmodern novel.
comparison and contrast paper, 25%
You will write an 8-10 page essay that compares and contrasts two postmodern novels.
seminar paper, 40%
You will write a 12-15 page seminar paper entering, engaging, and advancing the scholarly discourse of a postmodern novel.
Technology
We will use the course site for the syllabus schedule and assignment prompts; supporting documents include an attendance record, a course grade calculation spreadsheet, FAQ, a GeorgiaVIEW walkthrough, a guide to literary analysis, a research methods guide, and paper templates. We will use GeorgiaVIEW for assignment submission and the course packet; if you experience technical issues with GeorgiaVIEW, contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at ctl@gcsu.edu or 478.445.2520. Check your university email for course-related messages. Use an online backup or cloud storage service to not only save but also archive versions of your work in case of personal computer calamities.
Attendance
Because this liberal arts course values contemporaneous discussion over fixed lecture, regular attendance is required. In courses that meet one day per week, such as ENGL 6685, there will be a one letter final grade deduction for every unexcused absence beyond two; furthermore, any student who misses four or more classes for any reason (excused or unexcused) will be dropped from the course and fail. In courses that meet two days per week, such as ENGL 1101, there will be a one letter final grade deduction for every unexcused absence beyond three; furthermore, any student who misses seven or more classes for any reason (excused or unexcused) will be dropped from the course and fail. In courses that meet three days per week, such as ENGL 2130, there will be a one letter final grade deduction for every unexcused absence beyond six; furthermore, any student who misses ten or more classes for any reason will be dropped from the course and fail. I suggest you use your skip days both cautiously and wisely; and make sure you sign the attendance sheets. Habitual tardies, consistently leaving class early, texting, and web surfing will be treated as absences. Unexcused absences include work, family obligations, and scheduled doctor's appointments. Excused absences include family emergency, medical emergency, religious observance, and participation in a college-sponsored activity. If you have a medical condition, extracurricular activity, or job that you anticipate will cause you to miss more than four days of class, I suggest you drop this section. The university absence policy can be found here. You can check your class attendance record here.
MLA Style and Length Requirements
Part of writing in a discipline is adhering to the field's style guide. While other disciplines use APA or Chicago style, literature and composition follows MLA style. Assignments such as in-class exams, discussion board responses, informal/journal writing, and peer review may be informally formatted; however, formal assignments and take-home exams must employ MLA style. 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) margins, header, and heading, 2) font, font size, and line-spacing, and 3) quotation and citation format. A formal paper or take-home exam will be penalized one-third of a letter grade if it does not end at least halfway down on the minimum page length (not including Works Cited page) while implementing 12 pt Times New Roman font, double-spacing, and 1" margins. Each additional page short of the minimum requirement will result in an a additional one-third letter grade penalty. Before you turn in a formal paper, make sure your work follows MLA style by referring to the MLA style checklist. Feel free to use these templates that are preformatted to MLA style.
Late Assignments
We're all busy with multiple classes and commitments, and adhering to deadlines is critical for the smooth running of the course. There will be a one letter assignment grade deduction per day (not class period) for any assignment that is turned in late. I give short extensions if you request one for a valid need 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. Because your completion of this course's major learning outcomes depends on the completion of pertinent assignments, failing to submit an assignment that is worth 15% or more of the course grade within five days of its due date may result in failure of the course. Failing to submit a final exam or final paper within two days of its due date may result in failure of the course.
Academic Honesty
The integrity of students and their written and oral work is a critical component of the academic process. 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." The Undergraduate Catalog and Graduate Catalog define academic dishonesty as "Plagiarizing, including the submission of others’ ideas or papers (whether purchased, borrowed, or otherwise obtained) as one’s own. When direct quotations are used in themes, essays, term papers, tests, book reviews, and other similar work, they must be indicated; and when the ideas of another are incorporated in any paper, they must be acknowledged, according to a style of documentation appropriate to the discipline" and "Submitting, if contrary to the rules of a course, work previously presented in another course," among other false representations. As plagiarism is not tolerated at GCSU, "since the primary goal of education is to increase one's own knowledge," any student found guilty of substantial, willful plagiarism or dishonesty may fail the assignment and the course. This course uses plagiarism prevention technology from TurnItIn. The papers may be retained by the service for the sole purpose of checking for plagiarized content in future student submissions.
Writing Center
Writing consultants will work with any student writer working on any project in any discipline. To learn more about Writing Center locations, hours, scheduling, and services, please visit https://www.gcsu.edu/writingcenter. Send questions to writing.center@gcsu.edu.
Required Syllabus Statements
Additional statements regarding the Religious Observance Policy, Assistance for Student Needs Related to Disability, Student Rating of Instruction Survey, Academic Honesty, Student Use of Copyrighted Materials, Electronic Recording Policy, Academic Grievance or Appeals, and Fire Drills can be found here.
COVID-19 Statement
The WHO recommends getting vaccinated to protect yourself against COVID-19 ("Getting Vaccinated") and wearing a mask if COVID-19 is spreading in your community ("When and How to Use Masks"). The CDC COVID Data Tracker assesses community transmission. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and contact Student Health Services. If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home and contact Student Health Services. GCSU has a decision path for students. Do not attend class while symptomatic or testing positive. During isolation, retrieve class notes from a classmate and consult with me about make up work. Absences due to isolation will be considered excused if appropriate documentation from Student Health Services or Academic Advising is provided. If you continue to test positive after the date the university gave you for an excused absence, your positive test counts as an excused absence.
- Readings with years and page numbers are books to be purchased.
- Readings without years or page numbers are available in the GeorgiaVIEW course packet.
- This schedule is subject to change, so check back in class and online for possible revisions.