Professor Twiggs Spring 2008
Office T-266 ctwiggs@fccj.edu 646-2342
LIT 2000 Introduction to Literature
This course is designed to enhance personal appreciation of literature, hone critical thinking skills, and provide instruction in the MLA research paper. Introduction to Literature presents the major literary forms and their distinctive characteristics and conventions, principle literary themes, and different critical approaches. This introductory course prepares students for further literary study.
Prerequisite: ENC 1101 with a grade of "C" or better.
Required Texts: Abcarian/Klotz's Literature: The Human Experience, Shorter 9th ed. and Masha Hamilton's The Camel Bookmobile.
A writing handbook will be used as a recommended text for reference and MLA guidelines.
Attendance/Participation:
Students are expected to attend class and make a significant contribution to class discussion. Students must attend and participate in at least 75% of class sessions to receive an A or B for this course. Students who stop attending class will receive an FN. Students who do not attend at least one class in the first two weeks of the term will receive an NA.
Students are expected to arrive on time for class and to bring their texts, paper, and pens to every class session. Homework and essays are due on the date assigned. Late papers will be accepted only in case of unavoidable emergencies. Likewise, make-up work is limited to extreme circumstances and must be arranged prior to an absence. Students should set cell phones and pagers to “vibrate” or turn them off to avoid interrupting class.
Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented disability, it is your responsibility to inform your instructors during the first week of class to assure adequate accommodations are provided throughout the term.
The last date to withdraw from this course is 13 March 2008.
Course Requirements:
In accordance with the Gordon Rule, LIT 2000 includes
significant writing assignments. At a minimum,
students will write four revised, typed essays, including a précis/summary, two
literary/critical analyses (e.g., a character analysis, a thematic analysis, a
comparison/contrast essay, etc.), and an MLA research paper, as well as two
timed in-class essays about literature.
You will be
provided opportunities to develop your speaking skills through group discussions
and oral presentations.
We will study the appropriate methods for accomplishing academic and
professional research. Then you will write a short research paper (8-10 pages
plus apparatus). Failure to submit a research paper in LIT 2000 will result
in a failing grade in the course.
1 Short Story Paper or Exam (student's choice) (15%)
2 Poetry paper or Exam (opposite of what student chose for #1 above) (15%)
3 Research Paper (25%)
4 In-Class Novel Essay (15%)
5 In-Class Drama Essay (15%)
6 Critical analysis/response (10%)
7 Allusions Presentation (5%)
Academic Honesty:
Please be aware that all of your work is subject to originality verification by Turnitin.com. All students are bound by the College Honor Code as described in the College Handbook. Any student who submits work not entirely of his/her own creation or aids another in doing so will receive a failing grade for that assignment and a course grade reduction of at least one letter grade. Other penalties may be enacted depending on the severity of the offense and in accordance with college policies.
The following final grades are the only possibilities for this course:
A (excellent)
B (good)
C (average)
D (poor)
F (failure for academic reasons or violation of attendance policy; student attended class throughout session)
FN (failure for non-attendance)
W (student withdrew by 13 March 2008)
I (incomplete—rare circumstances at discretion of professor)
X (audit)
NA (student did not attend first two weeks of term)