GASTON COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS FOR ENG 131: INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE DATE SYLLABUS REVISED: 11/27/2007 INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

AND OFFICE HOURS:

Instructor: Michele Domenech Telephone: 704-922-6291 Email: domenech.michele@gaston.edu Office Location: CAS 100B Office Hours: Mon (8-9, 10-12, 1-4, 4:30-5:30 ECC) Tues/Wed/Thurs (9-12) Fri (By Appt.)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course introduces the principal genres of literature. Emphasis is placed on literary terminology, devices, structure, and interpretation. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze and respond to literature. This course has been approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement general education core requirement in humanities/fine arts. This course is also available through the Virtual Learning Community (VLC). GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES: ENG 131 addresses the following Gaston College General Education Outcomes: 2. Communicate effectively through writing, reading, and speaking. 4. Examine the arts/humanities and social behavioral sciences from cultural and historic perspectives. LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of ENG 131, the student will be able to: 1. Define important literary terminology and apply it correctly in discussions, tests, and essays. 2. Define major characteristics of fiction, drama, and poetry. 3. Support interpretations about a given work of literature through the analysis of important words, lines, and passages. 4. Follow MLA conventions of parenthetical references for fiction, drama, and poetry. 5. Contruct properly formatted MLA syle essays designed to analyze important concepts within representative works. CREDITS, HOURS, PREREQUISITES:

Number Semester Hours Credit:3 Number Class (Lecture) Hours Per Week: 3 Number Laboratory Hours Per Week: 0 Prerequisite(s): ENG 111 Co-requisite(s):ENG 112, ENG 113, or ENG 114 Course Format: Online

STUDENT MATERIALS NEEDED: Textbooks Kennedy, X.J. and Dana Gioia. An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. 10th ed. Interactive Edition. New York: Pearson Longman, 2007. Hacker, Diana. Writing about Literature, Supplement. 5th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003.

OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS: 1GB flash drive. Journal to write, draw and collect your ideas in An email address and access to the internet. Wiki Course Requirements Wiki Participation: Weekly postings and short essays posted to wiki based on readings and discussion for the week. A good majority of the writing will be done on the wiki. We are using the wiki to facilitate in-depth discussions of the literature as well as to create a space where you all have the freedom to collaborate and be creative. Make the class what you

would like it to be. You do not need my permission to start a discussion or pose a question. Simply add a page, link it to the Navigation Bar and off e go. If you need help, post it to the Help page on the wiki or send me an email. Essays: Short Story3-4 typed pages, double-spaced, 12 pt., Times New Roman, MLA Style in which you critically analyze, interpret, argue and support some idea/theme/symbol present in the story. More specifics to follow on the wiki. Poem/Collection3-4 typed pages, double-spaced, 12 pt., Times New Roman, MLA Style, in which you read a collection of poems by a single poet and formulate an argument about the writer, his technique, content, etc. More specifics to follow on the wiki. Play3-4 typed pages, -spaced, 12 pt., Times New Roman, MLA Style in which you read and interpret a play of your choice, speaking to specific symbols present in the play and how they represent something in society. More specific details to come on the wiki.

Final Paper Novel: 8-10 pages, double-spaced, 12 pt., Times New Roman, MLA Style in which you read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. You will formulate a thesis to represent your argument and support it with examples from the novel as well as 3-4 outside sources. More specifics to follow on the wiki.

EVALUATION: Wiki Participation: Essays: Critical Analysis Short Story Critical Analysis Poem Critical Analysis Play Final Paper Final Exam 40% 10% 10% 10% 20% 10%

Grades are based on the following scale: = 90-100 = 80-89 = 70-79 = 60-69 = Incomplete. (Written agreement between instructor and student is required. Work must be completed prior to the end of the following semester.) F = Unsatisfactory (Course must be repeated.) W = Withdrawal AU = Audit CE = Credit by Exam (Must be completed within the first 7 days of the semester.) Arts and Science Division Policy: Grades are based on a ten-point grading scale. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Participation on the wiki is equivalent to attendance in the class. College Policy: The instructional work of the college is designed for class attendance. The responsibility for class attendance is placed specifically on the individual student. At the beginning of each course, it is the responsibility of each instructor to notify classes in writing of the attendance requirements to which the students must adhere. The college reserves the right to sever its relationship with any student who fails to maintain the respective attendance requirements. Such a student can be dismissed from a given class upon recommendation of the instructor. A student may be withdrawn by the instructor, prior to the withdrawal deadline, for having absences. Under no circumstances will children or other non-enrolled individuals be allowed to attend class MAKEUP POLICY: I do not accept late or make-up work! College Policy: The student is responsible for all material covered in each course for which he is registered. In no instance does absence from class relieve the student from the responsibility for the performance of any part of the course work. The student is further responsible for initiating any request to make up work because of class absence. The decision to assist the student with makeup work, including tests, in every case rests with the instructor. The instructor may require verification of medical or personal circumstances presented by the student A B C D I

to influence this decision. Course work not made up may cost a student grade advantage in the final evaluation since the instructor is not required to offer the student an opportunity to make up course work. Course work that an instructor accepts late may result in the student receiving a lower grade for the work. TARDINESS POLICY: No policy necessary in an online class. COURSE WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURE: I will not withdraw you from the class. College Policy: It is the students responsibility to withdraw from class. Withdrawal from a course for academic reasons must be initiated by the student prior to the eleventh week of the semester. The student must complete and submit an official withdrawal form available in the Office of the Registrar. (Note: A student who stops attending classes for any reason should not expect the instructor to drop him or her.) STUDENT BEHAVIOR POLICIES: Since the class is online, I expect all of you to have respect for everyone in the class. College Policy: According to the Student Handbook, All students have the right to a safe, peaceful and honest educational environment. Therefore, when in the judgment of college officials a students conduct disrupts or threatens to disrupt the college community, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken to restore and protect the safety, peace, and integrity of the community. Certain behaviors are prohibited, including, but not limited to, academic dishonesty, theft or damage to property on college premises, violation of the drug and alcohol policy, lewd or indecent conduct, violation of the sexual harassment policy, intentional obstruction or disruption of teaching, mental or physical abuse of any person on college premises, and violation of the computer resources acceptable use policy. The student code of conduct, disciplinary procedures, and policies listed above appear in the Student Handbook. ELECTRONIC DEVICES STATEMENT: College Policy: To minimize classroom disruptions and protect the integrity of test-taking situations, electronic communication devices such as telephones and pagers are generally not permitted in instructional areas at Gaston College. See the Gaston College Student Handbook for emergency personnel exceptions. Cell phones must be turned off before entering classroom. Pagers must be silent. ADA STATEMENT: College Policy: In order to receive services under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504, students are responsible for supplying appropriate documentation of a disability to the Counseling Center well in advance of class registration. Students should also schedule a meeting with a counselor in the Counseling Center to discuss individual needs regarding reasonable accommodations. The Counselor for Special Needs may be reached at (704) 922-6224 or in Myers Center Room 231. See the Gaston College Academic Catalog for details. CAMPUS SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT: Gaston College is very concerned about protecting our students, employees, and visitors at all campuses. You can help the College to protect everyone by reporting any suspicious activities or threats to your instructor, Campus Police, or any other college official. The College takes steps to protect anyone who has reason to believe that he/she is in danger. Also, remember to keep your belongings in secure places at all times. The College offers free and confidential counseling services to students with personal concerns. Students may be referred to local community resources when warranted. "Together, we can help our campus to be a safer place. Important Contact Information Campus Police/Security Dallas Campus, Pharr Trade and Industrial Building (PTI), Room 125, 704-922-6480 Lincoln Campus, Room 119, 704-748-1049 Counseling Center Dallas Campus, 2nd Floor Myers Center, 704-922-6220 Lincoln Campus, Room 201, 704-748-1051 East Campus Dean of the East Campus, ECC 207, 704-825-3737, Ext. 341 ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE: College Policy: Most academic matters generally will be left to the discretion of the faculty member. Instructors have the academic freedom to cover the material on the departmentally approved syllabus in a variety of ways.

Some instructors may have primarily lecture formats while others may have class discussion/participation driven formats. Some classes, by nature of the course, cover controversial topics. This does not mean the instructor personally espouses a particular point of view (lifestyle, religious affiliation, ethnic view, etc.). Any complaints about your academic experiences (other than final grade) may be addressed informally or formally. Academic complaints are defined as complaints regarding course design and content, teaching performance, and instructor conduct. No retaliation or adverse action will be taken against the student for filing the complaint. If possible, talk directly to your instructor in a professional, courteous manner about your issue, and make a good faith effort to resolve the issue. If this approach does not work to your satisfaction, you may wish to make a formal, written academic complaint. The Academic Complaint Form may be obtained from an administrative assistant in any Deans office. The form asks you to put your complaint and your proposed resolution in writing, and it guides you through a step-by-step process. If you inappropriately attempt to register your complaint to a higher administrator in the organization, you will most likely be directed to follow the Academic Complaint process through the supervisory chain unless you have an urgent issue of health, safety or welfare that warrants immediate attention. DEPARTMENT CHAIRS IN THE ARTS & SCIENCES DIVISION: Office Location CAS 218 CAS 104 Office Phone 704.922.635 4 704.922.631 0

Department Language & Literature Dean of Arts & Sciences

Chair Dr. Joe Argent Dr. Dewey Dellinger

Office Email argent.joe@gaston.edu dellinger.dewey@gaston.edu

FINAL EXAM INFORMATION: There will be an objective final exam for this class to be administered at Dalpiaz the week of finals. You will have 2 hours to take the exam, and you may use a 5x7 note card to assist you in completing the exam. FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE: The final exam will be placed in Dalpiaz beginning May 1st, and it will be available until May 5th. COMPUTER ACCESS Upon registration and payment for a course, students will be given access to campus computer labs. Students should refer to the GC Student Handbook and review the "Acceptable Use Policy" before using any campus computers. To monitor use of the campus computers, each student has been assigned a user name and a password. General Log-in Instructions: 1. User name: Type in the first six letters of your last name plus your first and middle initial. If your last name is shorter than six letters, just type in your entire last name and first and second initial. Example: Mary Ann Smiths user name would be: smithma. (Note to women: Know how the registrars office has your name recorded if you are married. Your initials may or may not include your maiden name.) 2. Password: Type in the last five digits of your social security number plus all three of your initials. Example: If Marys social security number is 123-45-6789, her password would be: 56789mas. On some computers, a second login window pops up. If this happens, just press enter and it should go away. If you experience problems getting logged in, try clicking the box that says workstation only. Also, make sure the numbers lock key is depressed. Be sure to log out when finished. Students are allowed 125 sheets of paper per week. Technology Services keeps track of this through login records. Always save paper when possible and always log out so that the next student does not print your paper. Blackboard Blackboard is the name of a Website designed to assist teachers in course management. Students can log into Blackboard and review lessons, print copies of documents, get links to Websites, etc. Login instructions are: 1. Go online to www.gaston.edu. 2. Click on the Login link under the Blackboard Icon 3. Click on User Login and enter your username and password. Your username and password are the same as for the general login instructions. * Note: if there is a time when the college web page is down, Blackboard can be accessed through the following link: http://gcvlc.gaston.edu. * Note: Gaston College Technology Services recommends the use of "Internet Explorer when working from home. Difficulties with Netscape used by AOL have been reported on numerous occasions.

The North Carolina Community College System has contracted with Presidium Learning to provide online assistance to students using the Blackboard Course Management System. If you have any difficulty with the Gaston College Blackboard System, contact Presidium Learning toll-free at 1-866-829-9690 or access their online helpdesk at http://d2.parature.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=4308 WebAdvisor WebAdvisor is the name of the data management system used by the college. Students can log into WebAdvisor and access their semester grades, print an unofficial transcript, contact their advisor, print their schedule, and perform many other tasks. Login instructions are: 1. Go online to www.gaston.edu. 2. Click on the Login link under the WebAdvisor Icon 3. Students will follow the directions printed on this page to access their WebAdvisor account. Student Email Student NETMAIL is an email account designed for students. The purpose of this account is to communicate with your instructor(s) at Gaston College. You can check this email account from any internet connection

Your email address will be "username@nmail.gaston.edu" (for example - "Mary Ann Smith"s email address would be "msmith@nmail.gaston.edu")

Login instructions are: 1. Go online to www.gaston.edu. 2. Click on the Login link under the Student NETMAIL Icon 3. Enter your username and password. Your username and password are the same as for the general login instructions. 4. You will be given access to your student email account at this time. Please take time to explore the features of this email tool such as composing emails, creating folders, building an address book and much more!