Syllabus

This course is the second half of Nassau Community College's freshman composition series. It gives further instruction in composition as well as an introduction to fiction and poetry. In other words, in this class composition is taught through reading and writing about literature.

In this course, we will study literature through an investigation of its structural dynamics. The course is roughly divided into two units: Language and Narrative. The first unit of the course will focus on poetry as a site to explore basic uses and effects of language. The second unit of the course foregrounds issues of narrative through the reading of several types of short fiction. Overall, the emphasis of the course is on the function of language and students will be asked to read with attentiveness to how, as well as what, things mean.

Written work and Grades

The writing for this class consists of in-class writing assignments, rough drafts and four type-written formal essays. All papers except the final one may be rewritten for a possible higher grade. In some cases, rewrites of specific papers will be required. All assigned papers must be turned in to pass the course. That means that if you fail to turn in one of the papers you will receive an F for the course. The final grade derives from class participation, (30% of grade), and the four papers (70% of grade). No W's will be given in lieu of an F.

Writing Center

The English Department runs a writing center in Bradley Hall. The Writing Center provides students with extra help and tutoring as well as some instruction in word processing and computer work. Students may be referred to Writing Center for specific tutoring, but any student may sign up for tutoring if she wishes.

Academic and Classroom Policies

It is the official policy of Nassau Community College that more than 3 unexcused absences results in an F for the course.

Remember that plagiarism is a serious academic infraction. Turning in plagiarized work results not only in failing the course, but also in possible academic suspension.

Turn off all cell phones and pagers upon entering the classroom. The first time one rings, the student will be given a warning. The second time, the student will be dropped from the class.

Texts
(all texts are included in the two Class Reader, except for Night Fisher)

Poetry:

"This Be the Verse," Philip Larkin
"Traveling Through the Dark," William Stafford
“The Garden of Love,” William Blake
"Incident," Countee Cullen
"Dulce Et Decorum Est," Wilfred Owen
"Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note," Leroi Jones
“Morning Song,” Sylvia Plath
“Dream of a Slave,” Gavin Ewart
“Spring and Fall: To a Young Child,” Gerard Manley Hopkins
“One Art,” Elizabeth Bishop
“To Marguerite: Continued,” Matthew Arnold
“Dangerous Life,” Lucia Maria Perillo
“Black Cat,” Rainer Maria Rilke

Fiction:

“After I Was Thrown Into the River and Before I Drowned,” Dave Eggers
“Last Requests,” Giles Smith
“I’m the Only One,” Zadie Smith
“Memento Mori,” Jonathon Nolan
“Macs” Terry Bisson
"Dear John Wayne," Sherman Alexie
Night Fisher, R. Kikuo Johnson (purchase this text)

Course Calendar

(all dates are approximate---the calendar will likely be revised over the semester---check here for updates)

January

M 22: introduction to course/read syllabus
W 24: Poetry Unit: introduction to formal elements of poetry

M 29: continue poetry
W 31: continue poetry

February

M 5: continue discussion
W 7: continue discussion
first paper assigned

M 12: continue discussion
W 14: continue discussion

M 19: No Class
W 21: No Class

M 26: Narrative Unit: introduction to basic elements of narrative
W 28: Begin discussion of “After I Was Thrown Into the River and Before I Drowned,” Dave Eggers
first paper due

March

M 5:“Last Requests,” Giles Smith
W 7: continue discussion

M 12: “I’m the Only One,” Zadie Smith
W 14: continue discussion second paper assigned

M 19: Begin discussion of “Memento Mori,” Jonathon Nolan
W 21: continue discussion

M 26: continue discussion
W 28: Begin discussion of “Macs” Terry Bisson
second paper due

April

M 2: No Class
W 4: No Class

M 9: continue discussion of “Macs”
W 11: “Dear John Wayne,” Sherman Alexie third paper assigned

M 16: continue discussion
W 18: continue discussion

M 23: Begin discussion Night Fisher
W 25: continue discussion
third paper due

M 30: continue discussion

May
W 2: continue discussion fourth paper assigned

M 7: continue discussion
W 9: continue discussion

M 14: continue discussion
W 16: fourth paper due

End of semester

Getting started...

This is a place for students to find the syllabus, assignments and other information about the course. If you need to contact me off campus, use email rather than posting here.

IMPORTANT

Do not email your papers unless you have made prior arrangements with me.

My email is:

estevem@ncc.edu