English 271 Homepage

Literary Analysis

English 271 Schedule

Fall 2015

Please note that this schedule is a flexible instrument, and will be somewhat revised (with notice) as the semester progresses. Be sure to check it a couple times each week; you are responsible for all readings and assignments due on any given day.
See our Homepage for policies regarding missed classes and late course work.


Week 1, Tues. Aug. 25 

In Class

  • Course introduction.
  • Laptop count.
  • Brief look at Blackboard.
  • Assignments for next Tues. Sept. 1
  • White Oleander DVD checkout.
  • Early dismissal to begin ample reading due next week.

Freud's couch!

Thurs. Aug. 27

Before Class

  • Nothing for today, but be working on "Before Class" assignments for next Tues. Sept. 1.

In Class

  • In-class diagnostic essay.

"they f*** you up, your mum and dad" —Philip Larken

Week 2, Sept. 1

Before Class

  • Read CTT, Chapter 1, pp. 1-10.
  • Read all of The Great Gatsby.

In Class

  • Discuss Gatsby (bring book to class).
  • Look at student diagnostics and overview of theories.
  • Begin work with Psycho theory.

 Thurs. Sept. 3

Before Class

  • Read Chap. 2, "Psychoanalytic Criticism," pp. 11-47 (skip the "Lacanian Psycholoanalysis" segment).
  • Read O'Connor, "Everything that Rises Must Converge."
  • Watch or review White Oleander. (Use checked-out instructor copy or watch YouTube, Amazon, or Netflix.)

In Class

  • Workshopping the theory: write first-draft Freudian psycho crit of White Oleander and post.
  • Finish Freudian psycho crit. ppt presentation and talk about how one applies any theory to a particular book or film.
  • Freudian analysis worksheet (Bb).

 

Tues. Sept. 5

Before Class

  • Read CTT, "Lacanian Psychoanalysis" on p. 25-32.
  • Read Hawthorne's "The Birthmark."
  • Read Hoagland, "Adam and Eve."
  • Read Tyson, Chap. 3, "Marxist Criticism," pp. 53-79.

Lacanian and Jungian psycho crit PP presentations.In Class

  • Groups present analyses of different works: "Adam and Eve," White Oleander, and "Everything that Rises Must Converge" (based on discussion from two weeks back).
  • Begin Marxist criticism.
  • Questions in Tyson, p. 68 assigned for viewing Modern Times, 1 hr. 23 min.
  • Begin film.

 

 

Week 5, Feb. 9

Before Class

  • CTT, Chap. 4, "Feminist Criticism," pp. 83-131.
  • CTT, Chap. 12, "Postcolonial Criticism," pp. 417-448.

In Class

  • Brief quiz on readings to date (emphasis on Marxist, Feminist, and Poco crit).
  • Finish film, if necessary. Continue discussion of Marxism.
  • Feminist and Poco crit PP presentations.
  • Working with notions of "Other."
Week 6,  Feb. 16

Before Class

  • Review all Tyson readings and Power Point presentations.
  • Formulate 3 good and real questions you have about literary theory generally or any one theory specifically.

In Class

  • Come with your 3 questions—just jot them down in your notebook.
  • Finish work with Power Point projects.
  • Mid-semester review and prep. for midterm exam.
  • Explication of exam poems.
  • Apply theories to "The Birthmark" and Chaplin film.
  • Practice identifications and summaries.
  • Practice with paraphrasing and plagiarism review.
  • Take-home mid-term exam assigned.
 

Week 7, Feb. 23  MEET IN IACC 114 TONIGHT!

Before Class

  • Complete take-home exam.

In Class

  • Mid-term exam due. All materials must be stapled ; they won't be accepted otherwise. No exams accepted once class begins.
  • Go over exam.
  • Dismiss early to complete independent work.
  • Independent work:

Week 8, March 2

Before Class

  • Carefully study: Elements of Poetry, Elements of Fiction, and Critical Approaches (a summary).
  • Read CTT, "New Criticism," pp. 135-164.
  • View "Boot Camp Presentation" in Blackboard under "Power Point Presentations and Other Docs."
  • Complete and post "Boot Camp Worksheet." (Find this in Blackboard "Weekly Work .")

    Note: I do NOT think that the Bedford St. Martin definition of "theme" (at the Elements of Fiction link above) is a very good one. Please see our PowerPoint presentation titled "Literature Bootcamp" in Blackboard "Course Documents" for an alternate definition. Much of the Bedford St. Martin material, however, is very good. Please study it carefully.)

In Class

Week 9, March 9

Before Class

  • Read CTT, Chap. 7 ("Structuralist Criticism") and Chap. 8 ("Deconstructive Criticism,") pp. 209-279. Pay attention especially to deconstruction chapter.

In Class

  • Finish work with New Crit.
  • Structuralism-deconstruction presentation.
  • Groups apply deconstruction to one or more course readings.

 
March 16  SPRING BREAK

Week 10, March 23

In Class

  • Complete work with deconstruction.
  • Brief research/annotated bibliography project (see Weekly Work in BB).
  • Write history of class session.
  • Assignment for major essay.

Week 11, March 30

Before Class

  • Read CTT, "New Historical and Cultural Criticism, " pp. 281- 312

In Class

Week 12, April 6

Before Class

  • Read all of Fight Club.

In Class

  • Review theories for second half of semester.
  • Open discussion of novel.
  • Assignment for take-home final exam.
  • Basic conventions in critical writing. Plagiarism and documentation review.
  • Work on essay drafts. Brief conferencing.

Week 13, April 13

Before Class

  • Complete a very good essay draft.
  • CAREFULLY read/watch Power Point titled, "Essay Conventions, Drafting, and Documentation/Plagiarism Review."
  • Print out Bishop's "The Fish."
  • Print out 2 copies of the peer critique form.

In Class

  • Draft due. Bring 2 copies.
  • Peer critiques and conferences.
  • Open discussion of novel.
  • Review theories for second half of semester.
  • Go over answers to questions about O'Connor story from Nov. 12.
  • Assignment for take-home final exam.
  • Work on essay drafts. Brief conferencing.

Week 14, April 20

Before Class

  • Complete take-home exam.

In Class

  • Completed exams are due in instructor's hands at our classroom door at the beginning of class. All materials must be stapled ; they won't be accepted otherwise.
  • Go over exam.
  • Work on essay drafts.
  • Basic conventions for writing about literature.
  • Discuss portfolios.

Week 15, April 27

Before Class

  • Work on essay draft.

In Class

  • Essay draft due. Bring 2 copies.
  • Critiques.
  • Conferences.

Week 16, May 4

  • Finish conferences.
  • Wrap-up.
  • Final extra credit opportunity. (You must be present in class to receive this credit.)
  • Course evaluation.

PORTFOLIO DUE: no later than midnight, Fri, May 7th. Late portfolios are only accepted with documented evidence of serious hardship or illness.

Include:

  • Critical Essay
  • Notebook
  • Reflective Letter

 

 

back to 271 Homepage