ENGLISH 112
READING FICTION
Summer 2004
M-Th
Jeffery White Office
Hour:
R230 (425) 564-3084 (Also available by appointment)
jwhite@bcc.ctc.edu
Required Materials: The
Story and Its Writer, (Compact Sixth Edition) Ann Charters
Waiting, Ha Jin
The Names, Don DeLillo
Storytelling represents a
way of making sense of experience while trying to reveal to the reader (and,
many will argue, the writer as well) the significance of some aspect of
existence. As with science and religion,
storytelling, at its best, seeks to articulate a type of “truth.” This course will introduce you to the basic
tools of literary analysis as a means to determine what truth an author of a
work of fiction might be trying to convey, the relationship of that story to
your world, and finally, what, if any, value fiction holds for you.
This course will be an
introduction to the careful and critical reading of fiction. As we learn how to read fiction (and determine
the characteristics that distinguish it from other types of writing), we will
also learn how to offer thoughtful responses, in a variety of contexts, to the
stories we have read.
This work will be conducted
in an informal, workshop atmosphere. We will
work in both small groups and as a whole class, using discussion, group
presentations and various peer response strategies to become careful, critical
readers of fiction. By quarter’s end,
you will have a more intimate understanding of what fiction is made of and what
it’s good for.
Course Policies
It can’t simply be learned;
It must be participated in. –Barry
Lopez
As many of you pursue an
education to better prepare yourselves for a successful professional life,
think of this class as rehearsal for meeting professional
responsibilities. As your “supervisor,”
I expect you to be engaged and committed to your work, courteous and helpful to
those you work with, and regular and prompt in your attendance.
This is not a “Warm Body”
class – one of those classes for which you simply show up, take the occasional
note and leave. Expect to be challenged,
expect to contribute regularly, expect to labor hard
to develop your understanding of the material.
As with most courses, we’ll be trying to do too much in too little time,
so we’ll need to divide the workload equally, every student responsible for
more than simply his or her own success or failure. You will spend a majority of your class time
doing “hands-on” activities and group work, both seeking and giving
assistance. If you, for whatever reason,
aren’t prepared or able to be an active, responsible member of this
learning community, then another class may more suit your needs. What follows are our course policies.
As in the professional
world, all assignments are due in class on the specified date.
Seminar Papers are due IN CLASS on the days assigned. I will accept seminar papers only on
those days and only if you’re in class. Please do not ask me to review and grade
seminar paper that doesn’t meet the above conditions.
Your Formal Paper is
due no later than
Any exception to the above
must be negotiated with me well before due date. All work that misses assignment deadlines
will receive no credit.
Our class begins at
Students will receive an
absence for each missed fifty minute period of class (25 minutes or more
constitutes a missed 50-minute period).
Miss the first week of
class: no credit for course.
Students with fewer than 5 absences
receive a bonus on their final participation grade.
TEN
ABSENCES (OR FIVE FULL CLASS MEETINGS), NO CREDIT.
Those who feel they have
exceptional circumstances that prevent prompt, regular attendance should speak
to me in person BEFORE those circumstances interfere with your work in
this class.
Participation/Preparedness - 50%
Attendance: 15%
Seminar Papers: 20%
Contributions to
discussions: 15%
Mid-term (take home) - 25%
Final (in-class) essays - 25%
Those of you who miss few or
no classes, display obvious commitment to our work and who regularly offer
outstanding and original insights that consistently advance/deepen our
understanding and appreciation of the reading will receive an “A.” Those of you who meet the above criterion on
a less regular basis and display a sincere commitment to our work (as reflected
in your class participation) may earn a “B,” (above average but not exceptional
work). “C” work represents a
satisfactory understanding of the material with few original or notable
contributions to our work. Also, please
remember that it’s not uncommon to see the most intense, sincere and exhaustive
effort producing satisfactory but average work.
I suggest that you forget the grade; rather, cultivate your
understanding of the material, take some risks, be original, enjoy yourself.
Preparedness/Participation: This is
primarily a discussion class. Your goal
is to offer other members in the class insights that lead to a deeper
understanding and appreciation of the stories under consideration. With few exceptions, this period will consist
of you voicing your thoughts on the material at hand. Therefore, the quality of this class depends
upon how prepared you are and the degree to which you participate. 50% of your overall grade depends on it. An important element of your participation
grade will be seminar papers. Students
who attend class on time and turn in all Seminar papers and actively contribute
to class discussions will receive full credit in this area. Those who miss fewer than five classes will
receive EXTRA CREDIT.
Please keep in mind that you
are responsible for material that you may have missed due to an absence.
Mid-term and Final (50% of Final Grade): Details to be
outlined in class.
Plagiarism
Should you use another's words
or ideas and represent them as your own, you are plagiarizing. Should you get
help with your writing to such a degree that it, in any part, is no longer your
own; then, too, are you plagiarizing. Plagiarism is grounds for failing the
course, and possibly for dismissal from school. Also be advised that
If you require accommodation based on a documented
disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need special
arrangements in case of an emergency evacuation,
please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. If you like to inquire
about becoming a DSS student you may call 564-2498 or go in person to the DSS
(Disability Support Services) reception area in the
A FINAL NOTE: There are no
formulas for understanding stories, no facts to memorize. While some things may seem closer to truth
than others, no one, especially me, is the keeper of correct answers. I invite spirited discussion about the
stories we read. Quite often this comes
through the questioning the claims and analysis of others, and through active
support of your own positions. I
encourage everyone to take some chances, say some potentially ridiculous
things. There are no bad or wasted
ideas. True growth comes from risk and
discovery, from making mistakes.
Your responsibilities are
outlined above. My responsibilities are
to guide and evaluate your work. Outside
of the classroom, my schedule permitting, I’ll assist you in any way I
can. If you’re having difficulty, speak
to me about it, and I’ll see what I can do to help. If something suddenly interferes (or
threatens to interfere) in some substantial way with your responsibilities to
this class, let me know as soon as you can.
It will make a difference. If you
show me that you’re concerned with meeting your commitments and doing good work
in this class, I’ll do what I can to help you around the obstacles. Communication is the key here. Keep me informed of your circumstances, and
you should do fine. Talk to me after
things fall apart, and there will be little more that I can offer than my
sympathy.