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SYLLABUS
EN351 MLL - Foundations of Literature
Spring 2004, Dr. Jeff Glauner
Professor of English
Office: Copley 310, Phone: 816-584-6352
FAX: 2533-663-7046
Email jeff.glauner@park.edu
Home Page: http://captain.park.edu/jglauner/
Office Hours:
M-F: 2-3:00 p.m.
T: 9-10:00 a.m.
or by appointment
Class meets: TR - 10:00-11:15 a.m., Copley 311
Term Dates: January 12 - May 7
Credit Hours: 3
I. TEXTBOOKS:
Davis, Paul et al. The Bedford Anthology of World Literature, Books 1 and 2. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004.
II. COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of major literary texts that form a foundation for modern literature. The course includes texts (mostly epics) from around the world which function as models and inspiration for modern writers and provide hints regarding the origins of contemporary thought and culture.
III. PROFESSOR'S EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY: "And gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche," says Chaucer’s Oxford scholar. Today’s teachers need not be threadbare like the "clerk," but they must continue to celebrate learning and teaching, tempting students to seek first that which enriches the mind and human spirit.
IV. GOALS OF THE COURSE: Students will emerge from the class with a greater understanding of and appreciation for foundational texts. They will develop a paradigm for examination and analysis of the language of such literature, and they will acquire a language for discussing it. In addition, they will discover sources of contemporary thought and culture in ancient texts from around the world and from various races and nations.
V. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:
A. Students will demonstrate understanding of theories of origin, nature, and function of
ancient literature from a variety of nations and cultures through written and oral
responses, individually and in groups, to topics arising from the study of text materials
and individual research.
B. Students will demonstrate understanding of the history and development of ancient texts
through written and oral expression of ideas explored in the course.
C. Students will demonstrate critical literacy in regard to ancient texts through
homework, class
discussions, testing, and their personal research.
D. Students will provide evidence of their skills in individual research through the
production of a research project written in multiple drafts.
E. Students will demonstrate their skills in oral communication through formal
presentation of ideas from their research before the class, individually and in
peer groups, and through formal and informal
class discussions of various topics.
F. Students will clarify their personal values in regard to cultural ethnocentrism through
open discussion of ancient texts and contemporary responses to them.
G. Students will demonstrate understanding of the human connections
between ancient literature and contemporary literature through discussion,
research, homework, and testing.
VI. ASSESSMENT AND GRADING:
A. Each student must prepare a research project including prospectus and two drafts on a focused topic in regard to foundational literature.
B. Each student must work with a peer group to develop a
one-class-period presentation regarding a foundational literary text not covered
in our syllabus.
C. Each student must complete midterm and final examinations and regular
homework assignments.
Attendance - See Section IX
Homework - 15%
Group Report - 15%
Research Project - 20%
Midterm Examination - 20%
Final Examination - 30%
Grade Conversion:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
0-59% F
Note extra credit availability on my home page.
VII. ACADEMIC HONESTY: Academic Honesty is required of all members of a learning community. Hence, Park will not tolerate cheating or plagiarism on tests, examinations, papers, or other course assignments. Learners who engage in such dishonesty may be given failing grades or expelled from Park.
VIII. PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism—the appropriation or imitation of the language or ideas of another person and presenting them as one’s original work—sometimes occurs through carelessness or ignorance. Learners who are uncertain about proper documentation of sources should consult their facilitator.
IX. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Facilitators are required to keep attendance records and report absences. The
facilitator may excuse absences for cogent reasons, but missed work must be made
up within the semester/term of enrollment. Work missed through unexcused
absences must also be made up within the semester/term of enrollment, but
unexcused absences may carry further penalties. In the event of two consecutive
weeks of unexcused absences in a semester/term of enrollment, the learner will
be administratively withdrawn, resulting in a grade of “F”. An Incomplete grade
will not be issued to learners who have unexcused or excessive absences recorded
for a course. Learners receiving Military Tuition Assistance (TA) or Veterans
Administration (VA) educational benefits must not exceed three unexcused
absences in the semester/term of enrollment. Excessive absences will be
reported to the appropriate agency and may result in a monetary penalty to the
learner. Reports of a F grade (attendance or academic) resulting from excessive
absence for learners receiving financial assistance from agencies not mentioned
above will be reported to the appropriate agency.
BE IN CLASS!!!
I allow three absences without penalty. For each additional absence, whatever the reason, you lose 15 points (30 points for 8-week courses) out of approximately 1000 for the term.
Weather-related absences will be handled as they occur. You must use your own judgment as to whether travel to school during inclement weather is safe. I must make the final decision on an individual basis whether absences due to weather may be excused. In most cases, we will probably agree. Do not endanger your life to avoid absence. I do not, however, believe that a walk from the dormitory or from downtown Parkville will endanger one's life in typical snowy weather.
Students with unusual attendance problems (Park athletic team travel, hospitalizations, jury duty, etc.) should consult with me regarding special arrangements for make up of missed classes and course work.
X. LATE SUBMISSION OF COURSE MATERIALS: Graded in-class assignments missed because of absence may be made up only with my approval. Out-of-class assignments handed in late because of absence will lose one letter grade per class period. You may avoid this penalty in many cases by successfully submitting assignments on-time by email. Do not choose the email option if you are in class. Your homework is often the topic of class discussion.
XI. DISABILITY
GUIDELINES: Park University is committed to meeting the needs of all
learners that meet the criteria for special assistance. These guidelines are
designed to supply directions to learners concerning the information necessary
to accomplish this goal. It is Park University’s policy to comply fully with
federal and state law, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, regarding learners with
disabilities and, to the extent of any inconsistency between these guidelines
and federal and/or state law, the provisions of the law will apply. Additional
information concerning Park University’s policies and procedures related to
disability can be found on the Park University web page:
www.park.edu/disability.
XII. CLASS MEETING AND EXAMINATION SCHEDULE: Note: Assignments should be
read before the class periods for which they are due. Even though they are not
formally assigned, you should read all introductory materials as they occur in the text.
For a class like this one, most students need to spend six hours per week reading and preparing for
class. This includes time spent on your research project. Your preparation
time will vary according to your reading speed and the complexity of your research
project. Homework
assignments are due on the date indicated and will not be accepted late.
If you must miss class, submit your homework assignment by email. Your
homework essays should be written in ways that convince me that you have read,
not only the specific parts of the works that the essay prompts refer to, but,
also, the rest of your assigned reading. Page references are to the
required anthology.
Tues., Jan. 13 - Intro. to the course. Fill out information sheets. Initial Assessment
Essay
Thurs., Jan. 15 - Review the syllabus. Discuss research projects.
Tues., Jan. 20 - Establish groups.
Thurs., Jan. 22 – Read: Gilgamesh, 55-66.
Tues., Jan. 27 – Read: Gilgamesh, 67-80. Homework:
In an essay of 200 words, provide biographies of Gilgamesh and of Enkidu (before
they met) and tell how they came to be friends.
Thurs., Jan. 29 - Read: Gilgamesh, 80-91.
Tues., Feb. 3 – Read: Hebrew Scriptures (Genesis 1-3,
6-9:14; The Song of Songs).
Thurs., Feb. 5 – DUE: PROSPECTUS FOR
RESEARCH PROJECT.
Tues., Feb. 10 - Sharing in groups.
Thurs., Feb. 12 - The Ramayana, 1351-76. Homework: In an essay of 200
words explain how Rama came to be exiled, the terms of his exile, and who went
with him.
Tues., Feb. 17 - Read: The Ramayana, 1415-33.
Homework: In a 200-word essay, explain and critique Sita's trial by fire.
Read: The Ramayana,1377-1415.
Thurs., Feb. 19 - Sharing in groups.
Tues., Feb. 24 – Group #1 presentation.
Thurs., Feb. 26 – Prepare for midterm.
Tues., March 2 - MIDTERM EXAMINATION.
Thurs., March 4 - Group #2 presentation.
March 6-14 - Spring Recess.
Tues., March 16 - DUE: FIRST DRAFT OF RESEARCH PROJECT.
Thurs., March 18 – Group #3 presentation.
Tues., March 23 - Read: The Odyssey, Introduction and Books
1-8.
Thurs., March 25 - Read: The Odyssey, Books 9-18.
Homework: In a 200-word essay, describe Odysseus's trip to the underworld.
How did he get there? Who did he see? What did he do?
Tues., March 30 – Read: The Odyssey, Books 18-24.
Homework: In a 200-word essay, take a stand on the treatment of women in
The Odyssey.
Thurs., April 1 – Read: Ovid, from The Metamorphoses, Book 1
(1270-82).
Tues., April 6 - Read: Ovid, from The Metamorphoses, Book 10
(1282-93).
Thurs., April 8 - Read: from The Thousand and One Nights,
435-67.
Tues., April 13 – Group #4 presentation.
Thurs., April 15 - Read: Beowulf, Part I. Homework:
In a 200-word essay, describe the battle between Grendel and Beowulf.
Tues., April 20 - Read: Read: Beowulf, Parts II and III. **DUE:
FINAL DRAFT OF RESEARCH PROJECT**
Thurs., April 22 – Read: Dante Alighieri, from The Divine
Comedy, "The Inferno," 678-771
Tues., April 27 - "The Inferno," 771-848. Homework: Compare and contrast
in a 200-word essay Dante's "Hell" with that we have seen in other foundational
literature this semester.
Thurs., April 29 - Prepare for final examination.
FINAL EXAMINATION: 10:15-12:15 a.m., Thursday, May 6.
NOTE: This schedule of assignments is subject to change on short notice.