- Response papers. You'll write three response papers this term, between 250 and 500 words each. These papers, and the formal papers, will be thematically- as well as textually-oriented. These are formal papers in the sense that spelling, grammar, and thinking count--all papers must be neat, typed, revised, finished, and proofread. At the same time, these are papers in which to try out ideas, to experiment and challenge yourself intellectually. I will read these papers, comment on them, and grade them pass/no pass. A passing paper requires a strong thesis, cogent evidence, and grammatical accuracy (natch). No-pass response papers may be rewritten and handed back to me within a week. Three passing papers will count as a 4.0, two as a 2.0, one paper as a 1.0.
- Article summary and response. You will read and then, using our class's Blackboard discussion board, summarize and comment on three critical essays. The summary will be the result of collaboration among those treating each article.The first sentence of the summary will be the thesis of the article. The summary should be at least 5 or 6 sentences long (about a paragraph); longer is acceptable. Following the summary, the group will respond to the article in a second paragraph: how did reading the article enrich each group member's understanding of the text? How did it shift the members' ideas about literary criticism or literature? What further questions does the group now have of the text? One group member (the amanuensis) will post the summary on Blackboard. These summary responses will be graded. See the schedule for summary response due dates: summaries are to be posted on the appropriate Blackboard discussion board before 2:00 pm on the date due.
- Graded formal papers. Two 1250-1500 word essays, each of which will treat a course theme and may use observations originally explored in response (and/or article summary) papers. Paper 1, which will treat The Princess of Cleves, is due Monday, January 30. Paper 2, which can treat any of our other texts, is due Monday, March 5. Note paper due dates: papers must be turned in on the date specified. Plan ahead.
- Final exam. Cumulative, essay, take-home exam due no later than Thursday, March 22, at 3:00 pm.
Opportunities
- International Poetry Night is Thursday, February 16, 6 pm, Mills International Center (EMU).
- We have two filmed versions of our texts: Orlando, scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, at 7:00 pm in 303 Chapman, and Copenhagen, on Tuesday, February 28, at 7:00 pm in 303 Chapman.
- Beginning Week 7 and concluding at the end of Week 10, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will host an exhibit of archival photographs and video footage from the Nixon Library to accompany posters and set designs of John Adams' opera Nixon in China. As mentioned above, Nixon in China will be performed at the Hult Center on Friday evening, March 16, along with a matinee performance on Sunday, March 18. Let's plan to see the JSMA show on Sunday, March 4, at 2:00 pm.
Grading
The response papers constitute 15% of your grade; the two formal papers, 25% each; the article summaries, 15%; participation, 5%, and the final exam will constitute 15% of your grade. Please note the University's "grade point value" system effective 9/90, as I will be using this system (unless otherwise noted):
|
A+ = 4.3 |
B+ = 3.3 |
C+ = 2.3 |
D+ = 1.3 |
|
A = 4.0 |
B = 3.0 |
C = 2.0 |
D = 1.0 |
|
A- = 3.7 |
B- = 2.7 |
C- = 1.7 |
D- = 0.7 |
Note that a grade of "C" is, according to academic regulations, "satisfactory," while a "B" is "good." That means that a "B" is better than average, better than satisfactory, better than adequate. The average grade, then, is a "C"; a grade of "B" requires effort and accomplishment.