E201, Fall 2005

COURSE: English 201 and 201H introduce you to the some of the central concerns of literary study as it introduces you to a variety of literary works. We will be discussing topics such as the structure of narrative, literary truth, rhetoric, British poetic traditions, and prevalent themes in literary artifice. You will be introduced to the literature of Britain from the seventh century to the seventeenth, and we will spend time on the cultural, historical, religious, and philosophical contexts in which this literature was written. SECTION: This term, Spring 2005, we will be discussing quests. We will consider quests that redeem a community and quests that redeem an individual. From the voyage of Beowulf to the wanderings of knights in search of a grail to a poet seeking redemption, literary quests establish the structure according to which our own discoveries are narrated. What types are there? What are their characteristic elements? How does style contribute to their moral seriousness? Readings include Beowulf, The Dream of the Rood, Judith, medieval romances, The Canterbury Tales, and Paradise Lost. ATTENDANCE: Attendance is very strongly encouraged, and university guidelines for absence will be enforced. Check your handbook. My lectures are copyrighted material. Any use of my lectures in written, electronic, or recorded form without my prior consent is strictly illegal.

Are available at Amhest Book in Amherst (8 Main St).

The general objectives of this course are three: 1) to give you a firm grounding in primary texts, 2) to give you a functional literary vocabulary, and 3) to make you reasonably proficient in the written application of critical tools.

We will be begin by discussing literary craft (especially form and meter). We will be reading Old English in translation, but Middle English in the original. This entails long, studious hours spent poring over ancient texts. You will be tested on your knowledge of primary texts, your familiarity with literary terminology, and your ability to apply sufficiently well appropriate critical tools. This entails you keeping careful notes on plot, characters, and themes of each reading; asking questions if you don't understand; and taking advantage of the vast number of resources available to you.

You are also expected to complete your readings prior to each class--the readings average about 50 pages per class. If you're not going to do the reading, then this class will be a waste of your time, and your success seriously imperiled.

Due dates listed on the schedule

201H	201
Three (3) papers, 1500 words each. Topics will be assigned; 85% (1=15%, 2=25%, 3=45%);	One final paper. 2500 words (60%) Four Quizzes (5% each = 20%)
One midterm exam (15%)	One midterm exam (20%)

• YOUR PAPER MUST BE HANDED IN AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON THE DATE DUE. LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
• ALL MISSED ASSIGNMENTS GET AN "F." If you foresee being absent, please let me know well beforehand.
• PLAGIARISM GETS AN "F." This may be for the paper or for the course, at my discretion. The penalties for plagiarism are quite strict. If you have any questions whatsoever about whether you are citing sources correctly, contact me. The study of literature is especially concerned with developing your ability to make educated aesthetic and theoretical judgments. This development is stunted if you circumvent your education through plagiarism. For more information, consult your handbook and the pages in this site devoted to plagiarism (see "Resources").
• ALL PAPERS MUST BE TYPED OR WORD-PROCESSED. Not doing so reduces your grade by one letter-value (e.g., "C" down to "D").

For my requirements with respect to A, AB, C, etc., see: 1) Grading, and 2) Papers and Policies.
 

Please meet with me at least once during the semester (at the least to check your grades with me to ensure my gradebook and your grades match up). Please make an appointment to meet with me at a time convenient to you and I will try to oblige.

NOTE 1: Please make and keep a copy of all your assignments. That copy may be a disc copy. In case any difficulties arise with respect to misplaced assignments or with respect to discrepancies between your records and my own, I will accept the evidence of your computer system's dating function. For your own peace of mind, I suggest that you lock any document on the day it is due. That will prevent your computer's operating system from associating your document with a later date.

NOTE 2: The course schedule is subject to change. It is not to be construed as a substitute for your attendance or as a catalogue of all the information for which you are responsible. All changes will be announced with a reasonable lead time. This syllabus constitutes a binding contract between the student and the professor. If you do not agree with any of the provisions set herein or if you foresee disagreeing with any of the provisions which may be reasonably added during the course of the term, then you are free to drop this class within the time allotted by the university.

NOTE 3:All material pertaining to this course--namely handouts, quizzes, exams, tests, maps, graphs, charts, printed matter, recorded matter, electronic matter including but not limited to this syllabus and associated electronic documents, films, video clips, conversations, office consultations, classroom responses, lectures, asides, answers to classroom queries, and related utterances--is copyrighted material and is subject to international and US laws of copyright. Enrollment in this course constitutes tacit acceptance of this agreement and of the copyright claims made therein. Any breach of this agreement or use of copyrighted material by any member of the university or the public without prior consent will be met with legal action