Course+Syllabus

This page is divided up into two sections: the course policy statement, below, and the assignments and grading section. To download a Word document of the entire syllabus, [|click here]. You can see the course schedule here.

** ENGL 2202: Introduction to Literature ** **Coon Rapids Campus** **Anoka Ramsey Community College** **Fall 2010**

**Location:** T228 **Credit Hours**: 3 **Instructor:** Sarah Viehmann **Email:** sarah.viehmann@anokaramsey.edu **Phone**: 763-433-1113 **Office**: H130 **Office hours:** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">M-Th 10-10:50; M-Th 1:00-1:50

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 26px;">**Required Texts**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">Sapphire. //Precious/Push.// <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"> Roach, Mary. //Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers.//  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"> Ensler, Eve. //The Vagina Monologues.//

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 26px;">**Catalog Description**

Introduces students to major forms of literature – novels, short stories, poetry, plays, and creative non-fiction. Focus will be on critical reading and discussion, the elements of literature, and analysis, interpretation, and evaluation. The course will also deal with issues of diversity and may be organized around a particular topic.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> **Prerequisites** : <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal;">Successful completion of ENGL 1121 is recommended. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal;">**For information about the instructor, course objectives, transfer skills/knowledge, and other important information, see the Course Wiki at** __**http://engl2202-arcc.wikispaces.com/**__

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 0.08in;">**COURSE POLICIES** <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">**Attendance** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.08in;">Because I rely heavily on collaborative learning, I expect you to attend all scheduled classes. (Note: I would rather you be a few minutes late—if need be—then for you to miss class.) If you //must// be absent, it is still your responsibility to turn in whatever is due that day on that day and to get the material that you missed.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; margin-bottom: 0.08in;"> You may miss **one** class without penalty. Notice I don't say //excused// or //unexcused// absences—I mean one absence period. There's a time every semester when students will come down with the flu or have a family emergency, and there's that one day a semester when the sunshine is just too good to resist (hey, I was a student too!). This is fine, but use your day wisely.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; margin-bottom: 0.08in;"> **Each day you miss past one absence** counts for 3% off your final, total grade for the course. Students who miss more than **three** days may not pass ENGL 2202. Keep in mind that this is three weeks of the class, so it would be very hard for you to catch up anyway!

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">In the case of bad weather, refer to the university website. If the campus is open and having classes, our class will meet. Obviously, good judgment should take precedence. If you live in a surrounding community that would make it dangerous to commute, follow your instincts. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"> **If at any point you have a problem related to the course, please don't hesitate contact me ASAP.** Believe it or not, that's what they pay me for!

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">**Participation**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">Participation is not only encouraged, it's expected. I know it's a little intimidating to be in a class full of strangers, but if everyone participates and gets to know one another, the class will be far more valuable than if you simply sat in your chair and listened to me yak all day. Trust me, I really don't want to do this. I'm not one of those professors who likes to hear herself talk. Help me out! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">Think about this: it's really hard to fail a person you know and like.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">**Class Atmosphere (Ground Rules)**


 * <span style="color: #323232; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">Acknowledge that discrimination exists in many forms (e.g., sexism, racism [including anti-Arab racism], classism, ageism, homophobia, anti-semitism, ableism, etc.).
 * <span style="color: #323232; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.08in; orphans: 2; padding: 0in; widows: 2;">Acknowledge that any critical understanding of sexism, racism, classism, homophobia, ageism, etc. means that we need to recognize that we have been systematically taught misinformation about our own group as well as about members of other groups. This is true for both dominant (e.g., white, male, upper class, heterosexual, able-bodied, etc.) and subordinate (e.g., people of color, women, poor and working class, gay/lesbian, disabled, Jew, etc.) group members.
 * <span style="color: #323232; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.08in; orphans: 2; padding: 0in; widows: 2;">We cannot be blamed for the misinformation we have learned, but we will be held responsible for repeating misinformation after we have learned otherwise.
 * <span style="color: #323232; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.08in; orphans: 2; padding: 0in; widows: 2;">People and groups are not to be blamed for their subordinate positions. We will assume that people are always doing the best they can.
 * <span style="color: #323232; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.08in; orphans: 2; padding: 0in; widows: 2;">We will actively pursue information about our own groups and those of others.
 * <span style="color: #323232; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.08in; orphans: 2; padding: 0in; widows: 2;">We will share information about our own groups with other member of the class and we will never demean, devalue, or in any way put down people for their experiences.
 * <span style="color: #323232; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.08in; orphans: 2; padding: 0in; widows: 2;">We each have an obligation to actively combat the myths and stereotypes about our own groups and other groups so that we can break down the walls which prohibit group cooperation and group gain.
 * <span style="color: #323232; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.08in; orphans: 2; padding: 0in; widows: 2;">We want to create a positive atmosphere for open discussion, even though learning might be, at times, uncomfortable. Thus, members of the class may wish to share writing or make comments that they do not want repeated outside the classroom. If so, the student will preface his/her remarks with a request and the class will agree not to repeat the remarks.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">**Late Work** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">I teach a full class load and have other responsibilities besides. Therefore, I can't accept late work. It would be unfair for me to make exceptions. All work should be turned in on the day and time it is due, period. Late work puts everyone behind, and, being somewhat absent-minded, I am more likely to misplace work that is not sent in on time. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"> However, I recognize that life happens, so you'll get one “get out of jail free” pass. If you slept through your alarm, had a computer glitch, or just couldn't get things together in time, you may email me **once** this semester and let me know that you wish you redeem this pass. This pass does **not** apply to the final portfolio, which must be turned in on time.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">**Academic Honesty**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">I expect that you will write all projects for this class and this class alone. You may not recycle papers from previous semesters or previous classes—this defeats the purpose of getting writing practice, and it isn't fair for your classmates. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">In addition, copying or sharing work is absolutely not allowed. I will take your name on the paper as your “byline” and trust that you have written the work in its entirety (with the exception of special collaborative writing projects). All sources must be properly documented and acknowledged. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">What constitutes plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">Copying work from any source without documentation
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">Sharing papers with anyone else
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">Downloading a paper from the internet
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">Using a paper you wrote for more than one class

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">Students found copying, sharing work, or otherwise intentionally cheating will receive a zero grade for that assignment. If found copying more than once, the student will fail the course.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">**Cell Phone/mp3 Player Policy**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">Please put your cell phone on silent or vibrate mode before you enter class. I don't want to see any cell phones in class. You may not talk on your cell phone or write or send text messages. You may not leave the class to answer a call. (Exceptions may be made in personal emergencies, but you must inform me ahead of time.) <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"> Have respect for me and your classmates—don't listen to your mp3 player during class. I // can // see those earbuds threaded through your shirt. Under certain circumstances, I may tell you that you can listen to music, but otherwise, I don't want to see your mp3 player.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">**Electronic Assignment Submission**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">Most activities done outside of class will be submitted electronically. Please use the course email, __engl2202@gmail.com__ <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">, to submit assignments, **not** my personal email. Help me stay organized and not lose your assignments in the shuffle! <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"> I will **not** accept hard copies of assignments unless I specifically request them. Let's save a tree or two.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">**Tracking Performance**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Please save all returned, graded projects and assignments in order to effectively keep track of your ongoing performance in the class. You will be submitting a portfolio of your work in the class at the end of the semester, so this is especially important.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">**Accommodation of Students with Special Needs**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">Anoka-Ramsey Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability in employment or in the provision of our services. Within the first week of class, students with special needs that require accommodation should contact the Director of Access Services at __Scott.Bay@anokaramsey.edu__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> to discuss possible support services.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">**The Writing Center**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> All students are strongly encourage to visit the Writing Center at least once during the semester. It is a wonderful resource for all levels of writers at all stages of the drafting processes. The tutors there are happy to help you brainstorm, develop your essay, and polish the final draft. However, please remember that Writing Center tutors // cannot // proofread or edit your paper for you—that's your job.

=<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 26px;">**INSTRUCTOR POLICIES** = <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">**Office Hours**

<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">I will do everything within my power to always be available during my office hours, although sometimes important meetings are scheduled at that time without my consent. Please sign up for times in advance. As a faculty member with other teaching responsibilities who is trying to do research and be a good citizen, I am juggling many responsibilities. At times, I may be able to talk with you in my office at the spur of the moment outside of office hours. Often I cannot. Please ask if this is a good time and do not take it personally if I am busy. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">In order to respect your privacy, I will not discuss specific issues regarding your writing or grades in class. Please keep in mind that I do not claim to be able to read minds and I may not always be aware of individual issues or problems.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">**Communication**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.08in;">My office phone number, cell phone number and e-mail address are listed at the top of this syllabus. You are welcome to use either or both. However, e-mail is a more reliable way to get in touch with me, because I am not always in the office and cannot always answer my phone.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal;">**A few words about e-mail**: I'm one of those people who's permanently affixed to her email, but since I have a hundred students, I receive a lot of it. Email is good for brief questions, but a long or involved question is usually better discussed in person. I will make every attempt to answer email within 24 hours on weekdays, but I usually will not answer emails sent on weekends. Plan accordingly. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">Please include your name in the e-mail text, since it isn’t always obvious who is sending it. Please also include a brief subject line (this helps me to know that the message probably does not contain a computer virus).

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">**Student Conferences** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 11pt;">We will have conferences outside of class on a regular basis. Students are expected to show up at the times they sign up for. If an emergency arises and the student is not able to make his/her conference time, he/she is expected to contact me ASAP, not after s/he has already missed the conference.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">**Write it Down** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"> My mother used to inform me that I'd forget my head if it wasn't screwed on. I argue that I'd only forget it if I didn't make a note to bring it along. If you ask me to do something for you, or if I say I'm going to do something, **make me write it down**. This is for your sake as well as mine. Likewise, if I'm saying something important (usually prefaced by, “This is really important”), write it down!