ENG 201.161

Borough of Manhattan Community College/CUNY

 

SPRING 2001

 

YI-CHUN TRICIA LIN

(tricia_lin_ny@yahoo.com)

MW 4-5:15

 

A Brief Course Description:

The second part of the college English requirement, this course is both a writing course and an introduction to appreciation and interpretations of literature. In this class, we will also explore writing via electronic correspondence among ourselves and with other classes.

 

Required Texts:

Figiel, Sia. Where We Once Belonged. New York: Kaya, 1996.

 

Meyer, Michael. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing. 5th ed. Boston, MA: Bedford, 2000.

 

Course Requirements:

1. Essays: You are expected to write four expository essays of 500 words or so (two type-written pages, in 12-point font size, for the take-homes), responding to one suggested topic, and one research paper of 4-6 pages (1000-1500 words).  All these assignments should be handed in (punctually, of courses) type-written and double-spaced on 8.5”x11” paper.

 

2. Reading Logs & Quizzes: For each reading assignment, you need to record your thought (response, reaction and/or question[s]) and hand in your “log” before it is due for discussion. There is no limit in length, and I do not grade logs. However, I do check logs thoroughly. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated and, indeed, will be marked. In addition, there will be unannounced quizzes on readings.

 

3. Attendance and Participation: Your participation in class is essential. That, of course, entails good preparation, attendance, and punctuality. Part of your good preparation may be demonstrated through voluntary class presentations. You may not start off as well as you would like to, but the progress you make throughout the course matters more than your initial performance.

 

4. Conference: I would like to talk to you individually about your research paper at least once before you begin writing. There will be scheduling for individual conference about half way into the semester.

 

5. The final exam in this course takes the form of a research paper, and there will be quizzes on the readings from time to time.

 

Grading:

1. 40% for four expository essays (10% each);

2. 30% for the final research paper;

3. 15% for attendance and participation;

4. 15% for reading logs and quizzes.

 

(Note: At times, I give a double grade for the expository essay. In these cases, the first grade is for content and organization, and the second for grammar and correctness.)

 

A Tentative Syllabus

 

01/29 Introduction (I)	Diagnostic Writing
01/31 Introduction (II); "The Story of an Hour" (10-12)
02/05 Short Story/Fiction: "Nilda" (Handout)
02/07 "A Rose for Emily" (71-77)
02/12 College Closed
02/13 "The Tenant" (99-105)	First Essay Topic
02/14 "The Lesson" (159-64)
02/19 No Classes (President's Day)
02/21 “Bartleby, the Scrivener" (110-34)	First Essay Due
02/26 "Battle Royal" (199-209)
02/28 "No Name Woman" (Handout)
03/05 "The Birthmark" (277-288)	Second Essay Topics
03/07 "A Good Man Is Hard to Find"(328-39)	Research Paper Prep (1)
03/12 "An Ounce of Cure" (364-71)	Second Essay Due
03/14 Selection from "The Future of American Fiction," New Yorker (June 21 & 28, 1999)
03/19 Where We Once Belonged
03/21 Where We Once Belonged
03/26 Where We Once Belonged	Third Essay Topics
03/28 Where We Once Belonged
04/02 Where We Once Belonged	Third Essay Due
04/04 Where We Once Belonged	Research Paper Prep (2): “Works Cited”
04/09-11 Spring Recess
04/16 Drama: M. Butterfly (1213-33)	Fourth Essay Topics
04/18 Drama: M. Butterfly (1234-52)
04/23 Drama: M. Butterfly (1252-58)	Fourth Essay Due
04/25 Poetry: Shakespeare, Marvell
04/30 Poetry: Whitman, Cummings, Eliot
05/02 Poetry: H. D., Plath, Brooks, Giovanni	Research Paper Prep (3): Outlining
05/07 Poetry: Emily Dickinson	Research Paper Draft
05/02 Poetry: Langston Hughes
05/14 Poetry: contemporary poetry (TBA)