Week 3, Day 1 - John Updike's "A & P" - 539 in text

For Discussion:

• Some people have described this story as "comic." Agree or disagree? WHY?
• Explain the meaning and use of the term "sheep" in the story.
• Explain the significance of the age of Sammy and Stokesie. How do they differ? What bearing does this have on Sammy's action in the story?
• How is socioeconomic class indicated in the story?
• In what way is this story characteristic of a story of initiation?

Suggested writing topic over this story: Discuss Stokesie as a character foil to Sammy.


Stokesie is an important character foil to Sammy in John Updike's "A & P." The reader sees both employees and is able to observe their actions and hear them talk, albeit from Sammy's perspective. As a character foil, Stokesie is near the same age as Sammy, and he appreciates the sexual allure of Queenie and the girls. However, Stokesie is considerably different from Sammy--which makes him a character foil. For example, Stokesie may be only three years older than Sammy, but he is married and has two children, which indicates that he takes his job seriously and hopes to be manager of the store one day, a future Sammy ridicules. Because he is an adult, Stokesie also knows when it is best to keep his thoughts and opinions to himself, and even though he may feel that a rule laid down by Lengel is unfair, Stokesie will not jeopardize his job with unwarranted comments, much less quit for the sake of becoming someone's "hero."

 

 

Week 2, Day 1 "Young Goodman Brown"

Reading Questions & terms:

1.     Where is young Goodman Brown headed after sunset?
2.     What signs do we see in the text that this destination is a frightening one on this particular night of the year?
3.     With what character is the motif of the pink ribbon associated? Why is that an appropriate object for this character?
4.      How is Brown's wife an allegorical figure given her name?
5.      How is Brown's own name and title potentially allegorical? Where does Brown fit on the spectrum of black and white?
6.      Who does Brown meet first in the dark woods? Why do you suppose that figure appear the way the does in terms of clothing and mannerisms?
7.      What is this figure's connection with Brown's family, if we can believe the figure's claims?
8.      Who is Goody Cloyse? Why was she special to Brown in the development of his beliefs?
9.      What falls from the sky that convinces Brown his wife is attending the witches' sabbat?
10.   Who attends the Satanic coven in the woods, i.e., what sort of people?
11.   What happens when Brown calls out to Faith to look to heaven rather than partake of the unholy ceremony?
12.   How does this event--real or imagined--affect Brown's interactions with his community?
13.   What is or is not carved on Brown's tombstone when he dies? Why? Explain.
14.   How does the nighttime wilderness serve as a foil for the daytime village in this story?
15.   Why would Satan look so much like Brown himself? Why is that creepier than a demon with horns and pitchfork and cloven hooves?
16.   Brown declares that he has "lost his faith." Faith in what, exactly? God? Or something else?
17.   When describing the events in the woods, note how many times Hawthorne uses ambiguous language in diction like seems, must, appears, perhaps, and maybe. [EXAMPLE: “This, of course, must have been an ocular deception, assisted by the uncertain light.”] Why does Hawthorne want to leave all this so ambiguous? Why not tell us clearly whether something is happening or not happening?

Be able to identify the source of the following quotations and explain their significance:

A."Dearest heart," whispered she, softly and rather sadly, when her lips were close to his ear, "pr'y thee, put off your journey until sunrise, and sleep in your own bed to-night. A lone woman is troubled with such dreams and such thoughts, that she's afeard of herself, sometimes. Pray, tarry with me this night, dear husband, of all nights in the year!"

B. He had taken a dreary road, darkened by all the gloomiest trees of the forest, which barely stood asike to let the narrow path creep through, and closed immediately behind.

C. “Faith kept me back a while,” replied the young man, with a tremor in his voice, caused by the sudden appearance of his companion though not wholly unexpected.

D. “Sayest thou so?” replied he of the serpent, smiling . . . . “Let us walk on, nevertheless, reasoning as we go . . . .We are but a little way in the forest yet.”

E. "That old woman taught me my catechism!" said the young man; and there was a world of meaning in this simple comment.

F. The cry of grief, rage, and terror, was yet piercing the night, when the unhappy husband held his breath for a response. There was a scream, drowned immediately in a louder murmur of voices, fading into far-off laughter, as the dark cloud swept away, leaving the clear and silent sky above Goodman Brown. But something fluttered lightly down through the air, and caught on the branch of a tree. The young man seized it, and beheld a pink ribbon.

" My Faith is gone!" cried he, after one stupefied moment.

G. "Lo! there ye stand, my children," said the figure, in a deep and solemn tone, almost sad, with its despairing awfulness, as if his once angelic nature could yet mourn for our miserable race. "Depending upon one another's hearts, ye had still hoped that virtue were not all a dream! Now are ye undeceived! Evil is the nature of mankind. Evil must be your only happiness. Welcome, again, my children, to the communion of your race!"

H. And when he had lived long, and was borne to his grave, a hoary corpse, followed by Faith, an aged woman, and children and grand-children, a goodly procession, besides neighbors, not a few, they carved no hopeful verse upon his tombstone; for his dying hour was gloom.

Week 1 - Day 2: “The Flowers” by Alice Walker

Terms: 

***INFERENCE*** Inference refers to the reader’s own knowledge—that which he brings to the story—along with his own observations that he makes as he reads the story. Reading a story actively—paying attention to the story-- helps the reader make important inferences that are valid and supported by details in the story. 

Character

·       Flat

·       Round

·       Static

·       Dynamic

Plot

·       Setting

·       Conflict—Man/Woman

o   Nature/environment

o   Society

o   Self

o   Man/woman

Symbolism

·       Name

·       Time of day/season of the year
·       Prominent Colors—red – white – pink – black – and other colors, depending on use in the story; also be aware that authors can often reverse what is often considered the “common” association of a color
·       Some objects/animals: key  - glasses – stones - serpents

Theme(s) – is NOT what the story “teaches.” Not all stories have a “lesson,” but good stories reveal a facet of human nature or of life, whether good or bad. Whether that revelation rings true to the reader depends on the readers own experience.

Syllabus

Email: sharon.aiken@maconstate.edu - Use your Macon State email. I check and respond to my Macon State email.  You need to do likewise, since email is used for class announcements or changes in the class schedule. 

Website:   aikenenglish1102spring2014.blogspot.com

Required Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C is required in ENGL 1101 before a student may take English1102.

MGSC and MGSC English Dept. Policy Statements:

30-Hour Rule: In accordance with Board of Regents policy, students must complete ENGL 1101 and

ENGL 1102 before earning thirty hours of course credit.

Exit Requirements: All students must complete ENGL 1101 with a grade of A, B, or C to proceed to

ENGL 1102 and to receive Area A1 credit.

Regents Exemption: Students who complete both ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 with grades of A, B,or C have fulfilled the University System of Georgia Regents Reading and Writing Requirements.

Supplemental Instruction: ENGL 0099A Basic Writing and Grammar and ENGL 099B Essays and

Advanced Grammar are Learning Support classes that students may elect to take along with ENGL

1101 or in preparation for ENGL 1101.

MGSC Academic Misconduct Statement: As a Middle Georgia State College student and as a student in this class, you are responsible for reading, understanding, and abiding by the MGSC Student Code of Conduct. The Student Code of Conduct is included in the MGSC Student Handbook and is available online at  http://www.mga.edu/student-affairs/docs/MGSC_Student_Handbook.pdf.

Policy on Disability Accommodations: “Students seeking academic accommodations for a special need must contact Middle Georgia State College Office of Disability Services  in Macon at (478) 471-2985 or  in Cochran at  (478) 934-3023.  Students may also visit the Disability Services Office in room 266 of the Student Life Center on the Macon campus or in Sanford Hall on the Cochran campus.”

Attendance Policy: This class follows the guidelines established by MGSC as follows:  “Students whose number of absences is more than twice the number of class meetings per week [4] maybe assigned a failing grade for the course at the discretion of the instructor. Students who havemore absences than the number of class meetings per week, but less than twice the number of class meetings per week, may be penalized at the discretion of the instructor. Students who have absences which are less than or equal to the number of class meetings per week will not be penalized.” 

In addition, if you know you will be absent when a paper is due, submit your paper in advance. If you are ill and unable to come to class when a paper is due, be prepared to submit a doctor’s excuse, as well as your paper, upon return to class. (If a member of your immediate family has a health condition requiring your absence from class, remember:  that is still an absence.  [English 1101 and 1102 have been known to cause sprains, eczema, dandruff,  sudden seizures of unknown origins, hospitalizations, broken bones, accidents, and the plague. Students and their families are most susceptible one to two days before a paper deadline.  Do your work, plan ahead and protect yourself and your loved ones.]

Withdrawal Policy: “ Students may withdraw from the course and earn a grade of “W” up to and including the midterm date, which occurs on [date].   After midterm, students who withdraw will receive a grade of “WF.” The MGSC Withdrawal Form, which is available online or in the Office of the Registrar, must be signed by the instructor in advance of withdrawal.”

Plagiarism Policy: If you cheat on a test, you will get a zero. If you plagiarize an assignment, that grade will result in a zero. Failing this course is the common penalty for plagiarism; it is difficult to achieve a passing grade, if one receives a zero on a plagiarized assignment. Plagiarism occurs when a writer uses the ideas, wording, organization, etc., of another writer without proper citation, whether intentional or unintentional. This includes having someone “help” you write the paper, buying the paper online, or lifting ideas, sentences, and/or paragraphs from another text. Keep an electronic copy of all assignments and be prepared to send it to me immediately if asked. Please go to the MSC Library site for further information on avoiding plagiarism. 

Note: A plagiarism prevention service is used in the evaluation of written work submitted for this course. As directed by the instructor, students are expected to submit their assignments, or have their assignments submitted, through the service in order to meet the requirements for this course. The papers may be retained by the service for the sole purpose of checking for plagiarized content in future student submissions.

Required Texts:  Meyers, Michael. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature

Required Material: 

·                jump drive - All in-class work is on computer; out of class papers will need to be composed and saved in either Ms Word, pdf, or .rtf format. All work needs to be saved electronically.

·                pocket folder for research essay

·                binder in which all work may be kept and submitted at the end of the semester

Purpose of the Class: English 1102 is an introduction to literature that continues the writing principles studiedin English1101. ENGL 1102 introduces students to the three basic genres of literature—fiction, drama, and poetry—their conventions, and associated literary terms, with some introduction to critical approaches. ENGL 1102students are asked to respond to literary works with essays that not only analyze themes, but also analyze literarytechniques.

Student Learning Objectives - Upon successful completion of ENGL 1102, students will be able to:

·       demonstrate a collegiate competency to read critically and communicate ideas in well-developed written forms (MGSC General Education Learning Goal A1 [Communications]), read and respond to 

various texts for purposes of interpretation, analysis, synthesis, evaluation and judgment

·       have a working knowledge of literary terms and understand the effect of narrative,dramatic, and poetic 

conventions upon meanings,

·       use recursive processes that include collecting information, focusing, ordering, drafting, revising, and editing,

·       demonstrate the techniques and skills of research, integration of sourcematerial, and documentation.

·       use conventions of writing mechanics, usage, and style to communicate effectively forthe given audience, purpose, 

·       and format (guidelines recommended by the Board of RegentsAdvisory Committee on English).

Course/ Essay Requirements:

Students must write four or more essay-length papers. They should write on each of the three genres studied. At least one of the four essays must require students to incorporate library research into their 
writing following the MLA style. One essay must be an in-class writing. The four (4) required essays must comprise at least50% of the course grade for ENGL 1102.

Definition of Plagiarism:

The following definition of plagiarism expands upon the Student Code’s description of plagiarism and has been adopted as standard by the English Department. For furtherexplanation and illustrations, refer to the English Department’s “A Definition of Plagiarism,”available online at http://www.mga.edu/liberal-arts/english.

1. It is plagiarism to copy another’s words directly and present them as your own without quotation marks and direct indication of whose words you are copying.  All significant phrases, clauses, and passages copied from another source require quotation marks and proper acknowledgment, down to the page number(s) of printed texts.

2. It is plagiarism to paraphrase another writer’s work by altering some words but communicating the same essential point(s) made by the original author without proper acknowledgment.  Though quotation marks are not needed with paraphrasing, you must still acknowledge the original source directly.

3. Plagiarism includes presenting someone else’s ideas or factual discoveries as your own.  Ifyou follow another person’s general outline or approach to a topic, presenting another’s original thinking or specific conclusions as your own, you must cite the source even if your work is in your own words entirely.  When you present another’s statistics, definitions, or statements of fact in your own work, you must also cite the source.

4. Plagiarism includes allowing someone else to prepare work that you present as your own.

5. Plagiarism applies in other media besides traditional written texts, including, but not limited

to, oral presentations, graphs, charts, diagrams, artwork, video and audio compositions, and other electronic media such as web pages, PowerPoint presentations, and online discussion postings.

Midterm Deadlines and Portfolios:

·       Students should have at least two graded essays returned to them before the semester’s withdrawaldeadline.

·       At the end of the semester, all essays are to be filed for one full semester. After one semester,instructors may allow students to pick up their papers.

Final Examination:

The final examination in English 1101 is a two-hour essay written in response to class reading. Students may take notes on the reading using a 3” by 5” note card. This card may not contain any full sentences, 
with the exception of documented

quotes from the readings. In class, the students will be given a choice of at least two topics 
based on the reading. The student will write on one of these options: he or she will not have access to the 
readings or to grammar handbooks, but the student may use his or her note cards, a dictionary, and a thesaurus. The 
final exam essay should reflect knowledge of the readings, but mere summary of the readings will not be acceptable. 
Any additional instructions for the final exam will be provided by the instructor. The final exam must count for 
20 % of the student’sfinal grade.

Grading Scale:

Grade	Average
A	90-100 / Excellent Work
B	80-89/Good Work
C	70-79/Satisfac tory Work
D	60-69/Unsatisfactory
F	< 60/ Failing

Class Policies:

1.       Please be on time; if you drive a distance to get here, plan accordingly. There are times we are all tardy, but being in class, ready to work says a great deal about your serious attention to this class and does not go unnoticed.

2.       Assignments are to be handed in on time, typed. Writing on class computers is part of the class; there will be both in-class and out-of-class essays.  Title all assignments and use MLA format.

3.       If a hard copy of the paper is not handed in on time, in class, the date that it is due, you may email a copy of the paper, WITH PENALTIES :

a) you will automatically forfeit a letter grade off the paper

b) that essay may not be graded until the end of the semester, which is when I grade all late work

c) if it is the first or second essay, you will not have an opportunity to revise the essay for a higher grade.  

4.       Students have the option of revising the first and second essays with the following stipulations:

a.       The students makes time to conference with me on the mistakes noted in the paper

b.      The original essay and rubric must be handed in with the revised essay

c.       If the only edits made to the paper are for grammar/mechanics/corrections , the grade will remain the same (the student has only copied and corrected)

d.      Substantive revisions could gain the student as much as one letter grade

5.       I will NOT accept a research paper late or via email.

6.       If you plan to print out of class essays in class, please attend to them it in the first 10 min. of class. Do NOT plan to revise, or retype your paper when you come to class—this should be done on your own.

7.       IF YOU USE ANY WORD PROCESSING PROGRAM OTHER THAN MS WORD, SAVE YOUR PAPER AS AN .rtf  (Rich Text Format) file.  Your paper cannot be opened, cannot be read, cannot be printed otherwise. Not even the tech guys and gurus in the library can help.

8.       If you miss a daily assignment, you may NOT make it up; if you FAIL TO TURN IN a major essay, your grade will result in a ZERO. You MUST complete all major assignments to pass the class.

9.       I expect students to demonstrate a professional demeanor in their attitude, manner and language, both written and spoken.  Turn your phones on “manner mode” if you must keep them on. Do not text, update your facebook status, shop on your tablet, or surf the web when I am teaching, when we are engaged in peer review or class discussion, or when students give a presentation. If you want to enjoy those activities, I will ask you to leave the class. This class asks only two hours and a forty minutes of your undivided attention each week. If that is too difficult, you should reconsider whether you are serious about this class.

10.   Please do not distract others who are working or paying attention in this class. I respect your right to fail this class, but not your right to infringe upon others who may want to pass. No one needs to be distracted.

11.   Active Participation is expected from every student in class and is worth ten percent of your final grade. It begins but does not end with attendance and includes the following:

Criteria	25 pts.	20 pts.	15 pts.	0-10 pts. & below
Attendance	Attends class regularly – with no more than 1 absence at mid-term; usually prompt & professional	Attends class regularly; no more than 1 absence at mid-term; professional & seldom tardy	Attends class regularly; may have more than 2 absences at this point; professional	Has missed more than 2 days and often presented as unprofessional
Level of Active Engagement	Proactive in class; contributes with ideas, questions, observations; answers questions; treats classmates & professor with courtesy	Contributes to class; frequently offers comments, answers & asks questions; treats classmates & professor with courtesy	Offers some observations and answers questions now and then or when called on; treats classmates & professor with courtesy	Rarely contributes to class by offering ideas or asking questions.primarily a non-participant. Does not add to class discussion, but sits silently.
Listening Skills	Listens when others talk; builds on others’ ideas; involves others in class by asking questions or seeking others’ responses	Listens then others talk; frequently builds on ideas of others.	Listens when  others talk, but does not respond to ideas	Often does not listen when others talk; often distracted by his/her own agenda—e.g., the internet, studying for another class, talking to peers, when inappropriate
Preparation	Almost always prepared for class, with assignments and required class materials	Usually prepared for class	Frequently prepared for class	Seldom prepared

The Writing Center is NOW OPEN; additional information will be forthcoming, but it is in your best interest to use the writing center to improve your writing

IMPORTANT DATES:

·       Full session classes begin: January 13

·       Last day to change existing schedules for full classes: January 16

·       Last day for No-Show reporting: January 28

·       College Closed for MLK Holiday: January 20

·       First Financial Aid Disbursement Date: February 12

·       SPRING BREAK: March 3-7

·       Mid-term: March 12

·       Early Registration for Summer and Fall (current students): March 24-April 17

·       Last Day of Full Session Classes: May 5

·       Final Exams for Full Session Classes:  May 6-9

·       Grades Available on SWORDS: May 15

·       Commencement: May 16

Grading and Assignments:

Assignment	Percent of Grade	Tentative Due Dates: TBA
Essay # 1 – in-class over short prose and class discussion	10
Essay #2 – Prose – with research, including internal citation, works cited, in MLA format	20
Essay #3 –  Poetry	10
Essay #4 – Drama – A Doll House	10
Quiz 1 – literary terms and selected short stories	10
Quiz 2 – poetic techniques and terms and selected poems	10
Class Participation	10
FINAL ESSAY  – Literary Analysis over The Glass Menagerie	20	May 7 – 8- 10

Tentative Schedule by week—reading selections should be completed by the date announced in class (TBA = to be announced); EXPECT this schedule to change:

01/13: print out (optional) and read the full syllabus for our next class; discussion of major points on syllabus today; discussion of critical/active reading; for second day of class: introduction to prose fiction and literary terms, using Walker, “The Flowers.”  This story CAN BE FOUND ONLINE: "The Flowers," PDF; since you have a long weekend coming up, begin reading Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown," also found online here: "Young Goodman Brown," PDF.  If you go online for these stories OR read them from the text, DO plan to take notes as  you read, jot down ideas, comments, or questions you may have

01/20: MLK HOLIDAY

01/21: Discussion of two stories as well as strategies and techniques used within those stories.

01/27: Writing over short prose: Essay #1

02/03: 

02/10: 

02/17: 

02/24: 

03/03-03/07: SPRING BREAK

03/10: 

03/17:

03/24: 

03/31: Essay #3 due; introduction to drama and the study Ibsen’s A Doll’s House

04/07: A Doll’s House study and discussion

04/14: A Doll’s House study and discussion

04/21: Essay #4, over A Doll's Housedue; begin study of A Glass Menagerie

04/28: study of modern drama, A Glass Menagerie

05/05: Last Day of class study of modern drama, A Glass Menagerie

05/07: 8-10