Since this is a discussion-based course, part of your grade (20%) will be based on participation. I will take attendance. If you are unable to attend class because of illness or emergency, please contact me (a note in my departmental mailbox or, better yet, via e-mail), or send a message via one of your classmates. Sniffles, away-games, or heavy work in other classes do not constitute excusable absences: if you are having schedule difficulties, however, do speak to me before you have to miss class.
The rest of your grade (80%) will be based on five short (2-3 page) response papers, the first draft of which will be due during our discussion of the text on which you have chosen to write. Your drafts will be commented upon but not graded. You may submit essays for comments as many times as you'd like, but once you submit your paper for a grade, no more changes will be allowed. The last day on which any essay may be submitted for a grade is the final day of class. On this day, you will turn in to me all drafts with comments and all final drafts.
Revision to paper requirement, 16 September 97:
You also have the option to write a sixth paper on any topic and in any
genre (fiction, personal essay, etc.). This essay may replace the worst
of your short essays (assuming, of course, that it isn't the worst essay
itself). This paper may be revised, just like the others for the course;
it will be graded based on how well it "works" within its genre.
T26: Acting and Action: Hamlet
Th28: Hamlet
September
T2: Hamlet
Th4: Tea
T9: Tea
Th11: Self and Other: Jane Eyre
T16: Jane Eyre
Th18: Jane Eyre
T23: Jane Eyre
Th25: Jane Eyre; no office hours
T30: Wide Sargasso Sea
October 2: Rosh Hashana--no class
T7: Wide Sargasso Sea
Th9: Wide Sargasso Sea
T14:
Fragmentation and Rebuilding: The Waste Land. Bring
three copies of an essay on which you're working to class.
Th16: The Waste Land. Writing groups.
T21: The Waste Land
Th23: Maus I
T28: Maus II
Th30: Thesis workshops. Memory and Knowledge: Mrs.
Dalloway
November
T4: Mrs. Dalloway
Th6: Mrs. Dalloway
T11: Song of Solomon
Th13: Song of Solomon
T18: Song of Solomon
Th20: Joy Harjo discussing The Woman Who Fell From the Sky, Alderson
Auditorium, Kansas Union, 11 am (i.e., during class). Students strongly
encouraged to attend.
T25: Song of Solomon. Office hours by appontment: e-mail to
schedule.
Th27: Thanksgiving
December
M1: Appointments available after 10:30 am: e-mail to schedule.
T2: Authority and Paralysis: Dubliners: "The Sisters,"
An Encounter," and "The Boarding House." Bring in 3
copies of a paper which you want to discuss with your writing group.
Th4: Writing groups; Waiting for Godot
T9: Waiting for Godot. Portfolios (all drafts with comments and final drafts of all five essays) due.
M15: Graded portfolios available at noon.
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