Syllabus

English 220: Introduction to Writing About Literature

M-TH 12:00-1:53, Online
Instructor: Catherine Engh (instructorengh@gmail.com) she/her/hers
Office Hours: by appointment, 1238 HW
Spring 2020

Course Theme: Environmental Literature

In the Romantic period in England (1790-1820), writers hoped that literature might reform modern society by teaching readers to dwell in nature. In this class, we will take this view of literature as inspiration, even as we retain a present-minded awareness of the ways in which “nature” is increasingly shaped by human activity. We will identify in a range of literary genres environmental attitudes that may be useful to take up today, paying special attention to critiques of colonialism, scientific progress, extraction and environmental harm. We will ask: what can environmental literature offer that science cannot? Who or what are we really referring to when we talk about “nature”?

Learning Outcomes

  • Take responsibility for your own learning and participation.
  • Annotate difficult texts in literature and literary criticism.
  • Ask generative questions of literary texts.
  • Develop the skill of close reading.
  • Support a literary argument with appropriate examples from the text.
  • Deepen your literary argument by consulting secondary sources.
  • Learn to implement the conventions of MLA style.
  • Reflect critically on your own assumptions about “nature” and those of others.

Required Texts

I recommend that you purchase all of the editions that are listed below. You may read the other texts online if that is easier for you (see course resources). If you are ordering books online, be sure to check the ISBN.

Shakespeare, William. The Tempest. Folger Shakespeare Library ISBN: 9780743482837 $4.99

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein: Or the Modern Prometheus–The 1818 Text Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780198840824 $7.95

Le Guin, Ursula, The Word for World is Forest Tom Doherty Associates, LLC ISBN: 9780765324641 $14.99

Moraga, Cherríe, Heroes and Saints and Other Plays ISBN: 0931122740 $15.88

Grading Policies

Percentages are approximate.

Short Position Paper 1 (3-5 pages) 15%
Short Position Paper 2 (3-5 pages) 15%
Research Paper (5-7 pages) 30%
Classroom participation 20%
Homework blog posts 15%
Final Exam 5%

 

Classroom Participation  (20%)

This class will be conducted like a seminar, which means that we will all be talking together, both in groups and as a class, about the texts we are reading. The success of our discussions depends on everybody’s preparedness and openness to express their views and to discuss those of others. Since this class is online, I want to emphasize that we are all learning how to engage with one another remotely. Please know that everyone feels somewhat awkward about this new format but we are in it together! Be prepared to share audio during our discussions, and make comments either verbally or through the chat function.

To get an A in participation, you must come to every class prepared to share your ideas verbally (10%) and in in-class assignments (10%).

Homework Blog Posts (15%)

You will be required to post responses to a question about the reading on the course blog before every class. On these days, you will be expected to do the reading and spend 20 minutes or so responding in writing to the prompt. The homework assignments are low-stakes, meaning you do not have to have a worked out argument or thesis claim. You should, however, quote the text. The practice of informal writing is meant to help you reflect on and retain what you have read so that you will be prepared for class discussion and formal writing assignments on the reading. I will grade the homework on a check, check minus scale. Work that demonstrates depth of understanding will receive a check, work that shows only minimal engagement, or which suggests you did not actually do the reading will get a check minus.

Short Papers (approx. 30%)

You will complete two short (3-5 page double-spaced) papers that respond to a question about The Tempest and Frankenstein.  These papers will not require outside research but will require close analysis of the literary text. To succeed on these papers, you must keep up with the reading, be present in class and start writing early. There will be an opportunity to revise the paper for a higher grade. Only substantial changes will, however, count towards a better grade.

Research Paper (approx. 30%)

Your final project for this class will be a 5-7 page (double-spaced) research paper based on a topic related to Le Guin’s The Word for World is Forest. A prompt will be handed out later in the semester. You will be required to meet with me outside of class to get feedback on either your paper proposal or the first draft of your research paper.

Final Creative Project (approx. 5%)

There will be a creative project in place of a final exam. It will consist of a blog post with complete with images about related to a course reading. You will be required to present your post to the class in the form of a quick, 4-minute presentation.

All formal written assignments will be emailed to me on the day they are due. You must send your assignments to me as .doc files (the Microsoft Word default). You will receive your papers back from me with comments within a 1-2 week period.  Papers should be printed in Times New Roman 12 pt, double-spaced, with 1” margins.

Late Assignments

For every day that we meet as a class that your paper is late, your grade will drop a half a letter grade (A will be A-). If your paper is more than one week late, I will not give feedback on the assignment. If your paper is more than two weeks late and you have not been in communication with me about your circumstances, then the highest grade you will be able to get is a C. My policy on late assignments is subject to flexibility in the event of extenuating circumstances. If you find you can’t complete a writing assignment on time, notify me as soon as possible to request an extension.

Email Etiquette

I check my email (instructorengh@gmail.com) frequently, but sometimes I do miss student emails. If you have not heard back from me about a pressing matter, talk to me after class. If you miss class, do not email me asking what you missed. Get the email of another student in the course and email them. If you miss class the day that I am passing out an assignment, it is your responsibility to refer to Blackboard for assignments. I will do my best to record our sessions and upload them on Blackboard, so if you miss a class you can watch the recording to see what we discussed.

Tutoring

One-on-one tutoring is available in the Reading/Writing Center (located in the Library, Hunter East Room 508; for hours, go to http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/index.html). The RWC is closed for in-person meetings, but you can book an e-tutoring session on their website. The writing center tutors will not proofread your paper, but they will give you feedback on your work and help you become a stronger writer. Take advantage of this resource!

Diversity Statement

It is my intent that students from diverse backgrounds and perspectives be well served by this course and that students’ learning needs be addressed both in and out of class. I value language diversity. If you would like to supplement a course reading with a related reading in a language other than English, let me know. Your suggestions about how course policies, materials and activities can be made more respectful of diversity are encouraged and appreciated. Please let me know ways in which I can improve the effectiveness of the course for you.

Hunter College Academic Integrity Policy

Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.

Accommodations

Please let me know what I can do to accommodate your disability. You may also go to the diversity office to seek accommodations. Here is Hunter’s official policy: “In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical and/ or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY located in Room E1124 to secure necessary academic accommodations.  For further information and assistance please call (212- 772- 4857)/TTY (212- 650-3230).”

Important Dates

7/27 Essay #1 on Shakespeare’s The Tempest
8/5 Essay #2 on Shelley’s Frankenstein
8/10 Draft of research paper on The Word for World is Forest
8/14 Research Paper on The Word for World is Forest
8/13 Creative Presentations

 

Week One: Shakespeare

Monday July 13th—Welcome! & Syllabus review

Tuesday July 14th—Shakespeare, The Tempest, act I

Wednesday July 15th—Shakespeare, The Tempest, act II & act III

Thursday July 16th—Shakespeare, The Tempest, act IV & V

 

Week Two: Shakespeare into Romanticism

Monday July 20th—Jonathan Bate, “A Voice for Ariel,” focus on pages 79-93 PAPER PROPOSAL

Tuesday July 21st—Wordsworth, Preface to Lyrical Ballads & Tintern Abbey

Wednesday July 22nd—Shelley, Frankenstein, Volume 1, letter I-chapter 4

Thursday July 23rd—Shelley, Frankenstein Volume 1, chapter 5-Volume 2, chapter 3

 

Week Three: Gothic Romanticism into Feminist Science Fiction

Monday July 27th—Shelley, Frankenstein Volume 2, chapter 4- Volume 3, chapter 2  & PAPER #1 DUE 

Tuesday July 28th—Shelley, finish Frankenstein 

Wednesday July 29th—Jonathan Bate, from “The State of Nature” (on Blackboard) PAPER PROPOSAL

Thursday July 30th—Ursula K. Le Guin, The Word for World is Forest, chapters 1-2

 

Week Four: Feminist Science Fiction

Monday August 3rd—Ursula K. Le Guin, The Word for World is Forest, chapters 3-5

Tuesday August 4th—Ursula K. Le Guin, finish The Word for World is Forest 

Wednesday August 5th—Douglas Barbour, “Wholeness and Balance” & Ursula K Le Guin, “Deep in Admiration”   PAPER #2 DUE

Thursday August 6th—Ursula K. Le Guin, “Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction” & Rob Latham, “Biotic Invasions”

Friday August 7th–PAPER PROPOSAL DUE

 

Week Five: American Ecological Writing

Monday August 10th—CONFERENCES 

Tuesday August 11th—Sara Orne Jewitt, “A White Heron” ROUGH DRAFT DUE

Wednesday August 12th—Leslie Marmon Silko, “Landscape, History and the Pueblo Imagination”

Thursday August 13th—CREATIVE PROJECT PRESENTATIONS (IN PLACE OF FINAL EXAM)

Friday August 14th—FINAL ESSAY DUE