ENGLISH
112: READING FICTION WINTER
2007
MS. DONNA J.
MEEK
OFFICE &
Mailboxà R230, Arts & Humanities
HOURSà BY
APPOINTMENT, DAILY, MTWRF, 10:30-11:30
TELà (425) 564-2359
àTEXTS:
à A good
college dictionary (e.g., Webster’s, American Heritage,
Random House, etc.)
COURSE
DESCRIPTION AND GOALS:
We will
explore both shorter and longer forms of fiction, using
traditional, non-traditional, and episodic novels, as well as an anthology of
short stories. These works will provide
us with the means to investigate the
elements commonly used in fiction—such as narrative techniques, character
development, symbolic imagery, and so on--to create both explicit stories and
implicit meanings. The latter, we will
approach by learning the craft of
interpretive analysis.
A pluralistic
awareness of cultural perspectives—as influenced by past and present
values; male and female gender identity; European, African, or Asian American
heritage; and class differences—will inform our discussions.
REQUIRED ESSAY FORMAT
1. WORDPROCESSED/ DOUBLE-SPACED/
ONE-INCH MARGINS.
2. MINIMUM LENGTH REQUIREMENT: 500 -
750 WORDS [ABOUT 2-3 WORDPROCESSED PAGES]. YOU CAN WRITE MORE.
PAGE 2 (112)
3. TITLE
PAGE: See Hacker, A Writer’s Reference, page 408à THEN TYPE, ABOVE YOUR NAME, THE TIME
AND DAYS YOUR CLASS MEETS.
4. NOTE: AN ESSAY CANNOT BE GRADED
UNLESS THE DRAFT(S) THAT I HAVE MARKED ARE TURNED IN WITH
IT--STAPLED SECURELY TO THE TOP.
5. WORDPROCESS + DOUBLE-SPACE ALL DRAFTS!
6. ALWAYS KEEP A COPY OF YOUR ESSAY and DRAFTS.
7. PAPER:
INEXPENSIVE BUT STURDY BOND IS FINE.
8. NO
FOLDERS, PLEASE!
Please allow up to a
week for work to be returned to you.
GRADING
1. Attendance, Participation (See Course
Policies)
2. FOUR (4) ESSAYS, 25% EACH.
3. In-class writing and quizzes also count as
participation.
4. No
Make-ups!
COURSE POLICIES
Log on @ http:// www.bcc.ctc.edu/ ArtsHum/
to read a complete copy of this important document: the Arts & Humanities
Division Policy. (Click
on Student Information.)
It spells out in clear, plain English (a) how the division supports each
instructor’s course policies and (b) what constitutes mature classroom behavior
in college. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING THE MATERIAL IN THIS POLICY STATEMENT.
PAGE 3 (112)
ATTENDANCE
1) 0-4 Absences (1-hour class) or
0-3 Absences (2- or 3-hour
class) = NO EFFECT ON GRADE
2) 5-7 Absences (1-hour class) or -4 Absences (2- or 3-hour class) = FINAL GRADE MAY BE LOWERED 1/2 GRADE
3) 8-9 Absences (1-hour class) or -5 Absences (2- or 3-hour class) = FINAL GRADE MAY BE LOWERED (1) GRADE
4) 10+ Absences (1-hour class) or -6+ Absences (2- or 3-hour class) = NO CREDIT (“F”)
FOR COURSE.
5)
If you come in
too late or leave too early, you may not receive credit for attending class; an
absence will be recorded.
1.
Come to class
regularly. I understand that our
notoriously bad Puget Sound traffic and/or our chronic BCC parking troubles may
occasionally make you miss class attendance;
therefore…
2. If you miss the
taking of attendance, then it is your responsibility--and yours alone--to ensure that your attendance
is recorded, by doing this:
3. Make sure I note your attendance AT THE END OF CLASS.
4. PLEASE DO NOT...
à Interrupt class
to note your attendance.
à Pester me about
attendance the next day or the next week:
It
will be too late by then--I won’t remember who was where!
PAGE
4 (112)
5. PROFESSIONAL
COURTESY!
à
if you do have to leave a few minutes early--or
if you wish to bring a guest or a child
to class that day--always tell me before
class begins.
à DO NOT
MISS A SCHEDULED OFFICE APPOINTMENT without notifying me by email, by
phone, or in person. If you do so, you
will receive a note documenting your failure to show up—and reminding you that
when you simply “blow off” an office appointment, you are in fact taking away from another student the
chance to use this time slot to see me for help. A repeated abuse of this kind on your part
may result in the loss of your ability to schedule future office appointments
with me in advance.
PARTICIPATION
Good = You come to
class, and you come prepared; you work productively. in your group; you
complete reading and writing assignments conscientiously and punctually; and
you pay attention when either another student or the instructor is speaking.
Fair = Sometimes
you do the above--but neither as often nor as
enthusiastically
as you should.
Poor = Your
attitude, behavior, and performance “suck” (to put it
bluntly).
Effects: If
your final grade is a borderline grade (e.g., A-/B+),
then...
1) Good
participation could raise your grade.
2) Fair participation could not.
3)
Poor
participation could lower your grade.
PAGE 5 (112)
LATE WORK
1. IF WE HAVE
TALKED, THEN THE TABLE BELOW WILL BE APPLIED:
One day late = Grade will be lowered one grade
Two days late = Grade will be lowered two grades
Three days
late = Grade will be lowered three
grades
After three
days = Work will not be accepted: zero
grade
Weekends, etc. = Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays ALL
count as days missed
2. LATE DRAFTS = THE
ABOVE TABLE APPLIES TO
DRAFTS, ALSO ( Remember, weekends
& holidays count as days missed )
3. WORK LEFT
FOR ME IN R230 MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED—OR MAY NOT REACH ME
! ALWAYS BRING
WORK TO CLASS, WHETHER LATE OR ON
TIME. ABOVE LATE PENALTIES WILL APPLY.
4. Remember, on
the front of the syllabus is a phone number with a voice mail system that
operates 24 hours a day. If you are
struck down by either illness or emergency, please use it! It is your
responsibility, as a college student, to keep your instructors informed of any
difficulties that may affect your academic progress.
MISSED CLASSES
1. You are
responsible for knowing what goes on in any classes that you miss--including any changes in assignments, due
dates, etc.
2. If you do miss
a class, please do not ask me
‘what you missed’–until you have done the following, first:
(a) ASK 1-2 STUDENTS FOR THAT DAY’S NOTES.
(b) COMPLETE ASSIGNED READINGS.
Then,
after studying the notes and
finishing the readings, you should feel free to ask any questions you may still
have. I will be happy, at that point, to answer them.
PAGE
6 (112)
PLAGIARISM
1. Plagiarism is the use of another person’s WORDS OR IDEAS
--even
if summarized or paraphrased, rather than copied word for word--without proper documentation.
2.
SEE DIANA HACKER, A WRITER’S REFERENCE,
6th
edition, pages 354-361 + 370-371, 378-379.
3. Plagiarism is a
serious academic offense:
à Plagiarized work will automatically receive a ZERO.
à The college may take further disciplinary action against
you.
4. PLEASE SEE ME IF YOU
ARE EVER UNSURE OF PLAGIARIZING: I
WILL HELP YOU. (MY
ROLE IS TO HELP
YOU TO AVOID PLAGIARISM--NOT TO “CATCH” YOU AT IT.)
5.
“If you can’t do the time--don’t do the crime.”
(Street Folk Wisdom)
“If you require
accommodation based on a documented disability, have emergency medical
information to share, or need special arrangements,
please make an appointment with BCC Disability Support Services, as soon as
possible.
If you would like to
inquire about becoming a DSS student, you may call (425) 564-2498 or go in person to the DSS (Disability Support
Services) program office in B132,
the student union building. Thank you!
“
à If you have a health problem or a learning disability--or
special circumstances of any kind--please speak to your
instructor immediately! PAGE
7 (112)