Introduction to Literature – EGL 102

Literature & Life: Exploring The World Through Written Language

Tuesday & Thursday 2:00-3:15pm
Spring 2011- Instructor: Jennifer Mignano-Brady
Office Hours – Tues & Thurs – 3:30-4:30pm
Knapp Hall /Writing Center
Email:[email protected]
Blog: http://literatureforthesoul.blogspot.com/

Course Description: Students will be introduced to numerous authors by reading a variety of short stories,
plays and poetry. The course encourages students to explore the many facets of life that contribute to diverse
themes read and discussed within the text. There will be a distinct focus on interpretation and in- depth
discussion of the literature. Students will begin analytical reading and writing throughout the semester.
Literature and Life: The World Through Written Language, will enhance critical thinking, analytical and interpretive
skills. This class is an introduction to literature and therefore class participants will be introduced to a variety of
authors, playwrights and poets. A strong emphasis will be placed on critical thinking. College writing standards
will be strongly emphasized in addition to creative thinking and writing. Students will be asked to write
academic papers that reflect the concepts explored in class and in the text. Literature and Life will touch upon
some of the classics as well as some contemporary works.

Objectives/Goals:

 Evaluate and analyze literary themes, devices and elements.

 Analyze and discuss the author’s purpose, audience and point of view.
 Identify, explore and appreciate form and structure.
 Examine and discuss the time period as it relates to a particular text.
 Critically think about concepts that are communicated in the literature as well as
introduce new concepts.
 Compare, contrast, make connections, inferences and predict outcomes based on the
literature.
 Communication: Participate in debates, presentations, group discussions, group
projects and creative writing.
 Read, analyze, discuss and write about poetry and poets.
 Participate in a writing community by reading, discussing and responding to other
writers on the blog and in class.
 Participate in an online discussion of ideas based on the literature. (See Blog)
 Cultivate a love of literature that allows you as an active participant in your education
to construct ideas, create ideas and contextualize them.
 Acquire the skills necessary to develop into an active member of a learning community
of readers and writers.

Reading: You will be asked to read selections from the text in addition to related materials on
the blog. On occasion, you will be asked to download materials, print them and bring them to
class the following day. Reading assignments will be given at the end of each class and/or
blog. It is important that you read the selections so that you can participate in class
discussions, workshops, fishbowls, homework assignments and group projects. You will have
the opportunity to obtain information about reading selections and due dates in class and on
the blog. I may post weekly reading assignments and due dates on the blog. However, the best
way to get information is to be in class. Arbitrarily, I will post a reading selection on the blog
and ask the class to write a written response on the blog. The class will be notified of any
online written assignments in advance.
* The first step to effective writing and critical thinking is READING. It is imperative that
you take the time to read the selections in order to participate in class discussions and
writing workshops.

Writing: Congratulations on all of your hard work! If you are in this class you have completed
all of the requirements of EGL 101. This class will require you to write about literature as it
relates to the world we live in. This will include themes, devices, time periods, authors and
purpose. You will be encouraged to think critically about the literature and write about
characters and concepts analytically on an academic level. MLA format is required. All papers
should be written in MLA format. You will be asked to incorporate quotes and use in -text
parenthetical citation. You may want to purchase a folder. This will serve as a writing
portfolio. Keeping a portfolio is an excellent way to organize, edit, reflect and revise your
written work. I have set aside some time for creative writing both on the blog and in class. In
addition to analytical writing you will have the opportunity to write poetry. *My goal is to
facilitate in the process of encouraging all students to develop a love of literature that transcends the
classroom.

Materials: Notebook, Folder, Pocket Dictionary

Motto: “ Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson Essayist & poet (1803 - 1882)

“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the
impossible.” -Arthur C. Clarke

Required Text:

Booth, Allison, and Kelly J. Mays. The Norton Introduction to Literature. Portable 10th ed.
New York, London: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2011,2006. Print.

Assessment:
Participation – 15% (Attendance/ All Classwork/ Socratic Seminar and Literature Circles)
Paper 1 – 10%
Paper 2 – 15% -
Paper 3- 15%
Midterm – 15% - In Class Essay
Final – 20%
Additional Assignments – 10% (Homework Assignments/Projects/ Creative Writing)
Note: Papers will be anywhere between 2-5 pages.

Attendance/ Late Policy: Due to the intense nature of this course. It is critical that you
maintain a good attendance record. You should not miss more than 3 classes before your
grade is threatened. Failure to make up missing work will greatly affect your grade. Try not to
be late. If you are late three times it will count as one absence. Attending class on a regular
basis and on time is paramount to your success both in this class and as a college student.
Students are responsible for notes and assignments. It is your responsibility to make up the
work you missed should you be absent. Teacher may post some assignments on the blog.

According to Farmingdale State College, plagiarism is the dishonest use of the work of others.
It is using another person's ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the
source. You want to do everything possible to avoid plagiarism.

“Plagiarism is:
 Using ideas without acknowledging the source
 Paraphrasing someone else's argument as your own
 Presenting someone else's line of thinking in the development of an idea as if it were
your own
 Presenting the entire paper or a major part of it developed exactly on someone else's
line of thinking or arrangement of ideas even though you acknowledge the source(s) in
parentheses” (www.farmingdale.edu).

Rules for Revising: In order to be fair and reasonable, the rules for revising are as follows:

 If you receive a grade lower than a B you have the opportunity to revise your paper and
hand it in the subsequent class.
 For example, you must receive a B- or less to be given the opportunity to revise. You
may not revise your paper if you receive a B.
 The highest grade that you can receive once you have revised your paper is a B.
 This ensures that students who receive a B on the first draft are graded fairly.
 A papers are exceptional papers. A papers go above and beyond. A grades are given to
students who show exceptional and exemplary work.
 The grading system is designed so that all students have the opportunity to progress
and therefore the grading scale reflects percentages that allow for such progression.
 If you are interested in handing in your paper early and would like to go over it with
me ahead of time, you are more than welcome to do so.

*Note- Participation is worth 15% of your overall grade. If you are a B or B+ student, you
have the opportunity to receive an A in the class just by showing up everyday and bringing
something to the table. More Importantly, Have Fun! It is my goal to ensure that you have
a genuinely engaging and fulfilling experience this semester.
Writing Calendar: Spring 2011- Attached