Course Work and Course Guidelines

EVOLVING CANON I is the first of a coordinated pair of courses offering instruction in key writers, important texts, and the historical sequence of literary movements from classical, continental, British, and American literature. Evolving Canon 1 and 2 are core courses for the English Major. Evolving Canon I extends chronologically from classical Greece through the first half of the seventeenth century.  During the semester, we will read texts from Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. Our readings are a part of the Western literary canon and have shaped the literary canon as well.   As we study these texts and the themes that unite them, we will also explore large issues such as the nature of literary canons and how a canon is formed, the relationship between religion and literature, and the relationship between literature and history.

Briefs

One of the ways we become better readers of literature is to write frequently in response to the texts you are reading. Therefore, throughout the course, you are to write four (4) "briefs," responding succinctly to a prompt about a specific Evolving Canon 1 text we are studying. I will provide assignments for six briefs throughout the semester. You select four briefs of your own choice and interest. At the end of the semester, I will drop the lowest grade of your four briefs in calculating your class grade. A successful brief will begin with a sharply focused thesis statement and provide evidence from the text (both direct and indirect quotations) to support your thesis. Briefs are strictly limited to two double-spaced academic pages. Although briefs are short, they are formal writings. All briefs are due at the start of class on their due date. No brief can be written after its due date has passed.

Papers

In the second half of the semester you will write a five to seven page analytical paper responding closely and thoughtfully to the assigned readings.   The paper must be produced on a computer and word processor, double-spaced, with one-inch margins.   Fonts should be clear and readable, such as New Times Roman or Arial, font size 12.  The paper must also include an original title, page numbers, and a correct citation and documentation following MLA style.

All assignments--especially this formal paper--are due at the beginning of the class period designated on the syllabus.   I accept no late papers.   If you submit a late paper, it will receive a zero; I will, however, provide comments on it.   You must complete all course assignments and the paper to pass the course.

For guidance on writing papers about literature, see the Papers section of our Evolving Canon 1 web site.

Exams

We will have two exams:  a midterm, in-class exam on Wednesday, 26 October and a cumulative final examination (scheduled by the office of the Registrar) on Thursday evening (6-9 pm) afternoon, 22 December. Please note this unfortunately late date and arrange your travel plans accordingly.

Participation

As much as possible, I will conduct our class as a discussion.  Therefore, your regular attendance and active participation in class discussion and small group activities is essential.  Participation is not simply a matter of talking a lot. Your contributions to our discussion will be valuable to us only if they are informed contributions--comments shaped by careful, critical reading and attentive listening to the remarks of all members of our class. I assess class participation qualitatively not quantitatively. The best class participation moves our discussion forward and deeper into the text and opens up important new directions.

Your participation grade also includes any quizzes, homework, response papers, and in-class activities that I assign.

Attendance

I expect each of you to attend all class meetings, having completed the assigned reading and prepared to participate.  If you are unable to attend a class, please contact a classmate or me to find out what you missed. More than four unexcused absences will lower your final grade by a third of a letter grade. If you miss more than one-third of the classes, you can expect to fail the course.

Grading

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows: