English 220: Introduction to Literature
Hunter College, Spring 2007
Section 31, TWF 9:10-10:00 a.m., room 502TH
Section 34, TWF 10:10-11:00 a.m., room 502 TH
Instructor: Jaime Cleland
Office #: 1432 HW
Office hours: Tuesdays and Fridays 11:00-noon and by appointment
Web site: http://wfs.gc.cuny.edu/JCleland/www
E-mail: jaime.cleland@gmail.com
Phone: 212-772-5112
Note: It’s much easier to reach me by e-mail than by telephone. I generally respond to e-mails within 24 hours, but I will be reachable by phone only during office hours or possibly before class.

Goals:
Over the course of the semester, you will have the opportunity to read a variety of literature from several genres that will put you in touch with a broader conversation about literature and life. You will also develop skills relevant to reading these works and to thinking, writing, and talking about them. Close reading will be our primary method of analysis, and you will become familiar with important elements of fiction, poetry, and drama (such as plot, setting, rhythm, rhyme…).

Texts:
Raffel, Burton. How to Read a Poem.
Cather, Willa. My Antonia.
Silko, Leslie Marmon. Ceremony.
Shakespeare, William. As You Like It.
Hwang, David Henry. M. Butterfly.
These texts have been ordered from Shakespeare & Company.

You will also want to have a dictionary. A portable dictionary that you can bring to class, particularly for sessions on poetry, is not a bad idea. You will be expected to cite all sources according to MLA style, so any guidebook that explains how to do this will also be useful to you.

Requirements:
Four Essays (10% each)
I will provide you with a list of possible essay topics and their deadlines. You should choose four to write about, at least one for each genre (poetry, fiction, and drama) and then a fourth in any of these categories. Choose topics that seem especially interesting to you, and/or topics with deadlines you are willing and able to meet. No late papers will be accepted. If you do not hand in a particular essay, I will assume that you have simply chosen to do another assignment. These essays should be 3-4 pages each, with normal fonts and margins, with no outside research. I do, however, expect you to cite the poem, story, or play correctly according to MLA style.
In-Class Writing (10%)
The name says it all – short assignments written in class. Writing prompts may be given at any point and these assignments cannot be made up.
Midterms (10% each) and Final Exam (20%)
There will be two midterm exams, one on poetry and one on fiction, and a final that will cover drama along with some material from earlier in the semester. These exams will consist primarily or even entirely of essay questions.
Memorization (5%)
This semester, you will memorize two poems, or a poem and a speech from As You Like It (I will hand out lists of possible poems and speeches). During class on March 2 and May 15, you will recite your poem/speech for me (privately, not in front of the class). I expect everyone to attend class on these days, but feel free to use the class time while you are not reciting for other study, reading, etc.
Class participation (5%)
Class participation encompasses prompt, prepared, regular attendance. Be here, have the texts and all other necessary materials, and have something to say. Attendance is mandatory; when you’re not here, you miss out, and you will be responsible for the work you miss. However, you have up to three “free” absences which I hope you will not feel compelled to take except in emergency circumstances. Subsequent absences will affect your grade. I don’t mind if you eat or drink in class, if you can do it discreetly (nothing too noisy or fragrant), but ringing cell phones and other distracting electronic devices are strictly prohibited.

Academic Integrity:
A statement from Hunter College: “Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The college is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.”

In this course, the MINIMUM result of plagiarism or other academic dishonesty is an F for the assignment and 10 additional points off your final course grade, plus a report to the Academic Integrity Official. Class essays must be submitted electronically to Turnitin.com as well as in hard copy to me in class. Further instructions on doing so will be forthcoming.

Disabilities:
A statement from Hunter College: “In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical and/ or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY located in Room E1124 to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information and assistance please call (212-772-4857)/TTY (212- 650- 3230).”

If you have a documented learning disability that could interfere with your ability to complete the requirements of this course, please talk to me as soon as possible to arrange accommodations.

Jan. 30: Introduction to course. What is close reading?
Jan. 31: In-class essay
Feb. 2: How to Read a Poem, Chapter 1: “What Poetry Means” (1-49)

Feb. 6: How to Read a Poem, Chapter 2: “Metaphor” (50-89)
Feb. 7: Writing about poetry.
Feb. 9: How to Read a Poem, Chapter 3: “How Poetry Works” (90-135)

Feb. 13: How to Read a Poem, Chapter 4: “What Poetry Uses” (136-176)
Feb. 14: More on poetic techniques.
Feb. 16: How to Read a Poem, Chapter 5: “Shapes and Structures” (177-232)

Feb. 20: More on structure
Feb. 21: NO CLASS (Follow a Monday schedule)
Feb. 23: How to Read a Poem, Chapter 6: “Metrics” (233-247)

Feb. 27: More on metrics.
Feb. 28: One more day of poetry!
March 2: First memorization quiz.

March 6: First midterm exam.
March 7: Thinking & writing about fiction.
March 9: “Malinke’s Atonement,” “Young Goodman Brown”

March 13: “Seventeen Syllables,” “Cathedral”
March 14: My Antonia, Introduction, Book I chapters I-IX (1-46)
March 16: My Antonia, Book I chapters X-XIX (46-86)

March 20: My Antonia, Book II (87-151)
March 21: My Antonia, Books III & IV (153-193)
March 23: My Antonia, Book V (195-222)

March 27: Ceremony (1-50)
March 28: Ceremony (50-100)
March 30: Ceremony (100-153)

April 3-10: NO CLASS (Spring Break)

April 11: Ceremony (153-204)
April 13: Ceremony (204-262)

April 17: Second midterm exam.
April 18: Introduction to drama; reading Shakespeare.
April 20: As You Like It, Act I

April 24: As You Like It, Act II
April 25: As You Like It, Act III
April 27: As You Like It, Act IV

May 1: As You Like It, Act V
May 2: As You Like It, discussion of overall issues
May 4: TBA

May 8: TBA
May 9: M. Butterfly, Act I
May 11: M. Butterfly, Acts II & III

May 15: Second memorization quiz.
May 16: Course wrap-up.

Final exam for 9:10-10:00 class: Monday, May 21, 9-11 a.m.
Final exam for 10:10-11:00 class: Wednesday, May 23, 9-11 a.m.