TR 2:10-4:00 (34-228)
Office: 47-35G, tel. 756-2636
Office Hours: M 5-7, T 4-5, W 10:30-12, R 1-2, and by appt.
http://www.calpoly.edu/~dschwart
Main English Office: 756-2597
e-mail: dschwart@calpoly.edu
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Term:
Spring, 2006
TR 2:10-4:00 (34-228) Office: 47-35G, tel. 756-2636 Office Hours: M 5-7, T 4-5, W 10:30-12, R 1-2, and by appt. |
Dr. Debora
B. Schwartz
http://www.calpoly.edu/~dschwart Main English Office: 756-2597 e-mail: dschwart@calpoly.edu |
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PREREQUISITES:
GE
area A (esp. expository writing, e.g. ENGL 134, and reasoning,
argumentation and writing, e.g. ENGL 145); AND GE area C1
(a 200-level literature class, e.g. ENGL 230 or 231or 251 or 252
or 253). Students enrolled in this class are assumed to have the
basic writing, argumentation and analytic skills taught in the Prerequisite
classes and to have prior experience in reading and analyzing literature
at the 200-level. Please be aware that there is NO FORMAL WRITING
INSTRUCTION in this class, nor does it offer a formal introduction to the
principles of literary analysis.
GWR: ENGL 380 is a writing-intensive, upper-division literature course which fulfills the GE Area C4 (old GE area C3) requirement. This class may be taken by students wishing to fulfill the Graduate Writing Requirement (GWR). However, please be aware that successful completion of the course does NOT guarantee GWR certification! To achieve GWR certification, you must 1) have junior or senior standing; 2) pass the class with a grade of "C" or better (a C- is not adequate); and 3) WRITE A GWR-CERTIFIABLE ESSAY on the essay portion of either the midterm or the final exam. To achieve GWR certification, your exam essay must conform to the standards for formal analytic writing about literature: it must present a valid argument (appropriate and adequate content), be logically organized, include appropriate and adequate textual support, and be written using correct mechanics (grammar, spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, etc.) and in the style appropriate to this kind of writing.
Because this is a writing-intensive course, 50% of the grade must
be based on writing assignments. But please note that there is NO FORMAL
WRITING INSTRUCTION in this course; see the Paper
Writing Guidelines and Essay
Evaluation Sheet if you are unsure about the conventions of formal
analytic writing about literature. Because the final course grade
is based upon many factors, not just the exam essay, IT IS POSSIBLE TO
ACHIEVE A HIGH GRADE IN THE CLASS BUT NOT EARN GWR CERTIFICATION.
As a rule, NOT all students seeking GWR certification successfully do so
through this course. In other words: if you have no interest
in this topic and GWR certification is your ONLY reason for enrolling in
this class, you should seriously consider other options.
TEXTS:
Some required texts have been ordered and are available at the bookstore.
Do NOT substitute another edition for these printed works:
| VIDEO SCREENINGS: We will also discuss several films which are on reserve for ENGL 380 in the Kennedy Library: Tom Donovan's Lovespell (1979), Jean Delannoy's L'Éternel retour (1943), and extended scenes from Richard Wagner's Tristan und Isolde opera (composed 1857-59; video presents excerpts from the 1976 production starring Jon Vickers and Roberta Knie, with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Franz-Paul Decker). These films are the equivalent of readings and must be viewed prior to the class meeting at which they will be discussed. Expect READING QUIZZES on film days to ensure that you have screened the films prior to class! NOTE 1: Videos on reserve do not circulate outside the library; they must be screened in the library during normal library hours. At least one group screening will be scheduled in Kennedy Library room 202 (dates and times will be posted on the course calendar), or you may see them on your own time. Or, rent them from Insomniac, SLO's fabulous independent video store (2161A Broad, between South and Branch; tel. 545-8866); or at the Cal Poly Insomniac in the University Union. NOTE 2: Only selected scenes from the films will be shown in class; you must arrange to see the full video prior to the class meeting at which it will be discussed. NOTE 3: if time permits, we will have a bonus in-class screening of another Tristan film the last day of the quarter, either the recent Kevin Reynolds Tristan and Isolde (if it has been released on video) or Veith von Fürstenberg's hard-to-find 1986 Fire and Sword (a big hit with students the last time I taught this class!). |  |
COURSE INFORMATION:
OBJECTIVES:
ENGL
380 is designed to introduce students to a highly influential medieval
love story which has been eclipsed, in modern times, by the better known
saga of Lancelot and Guenevere. We will trace the development of
the Tristan tradition from the middle ages to modern times, seeking to
understand its ongoing appeal and to analyze the significance it has held
for various periods and audiences. Of particular interest will be
the treatment of the adulterous triangle in each work and the author's
characterization of the protagonists: Tristan, nephew to King Marc of Cornwall,
and Isolde, lover of Tristan and Marc's queen. Material considered
will include artwork, film and an opera in addition to literary works --
romances, novels, poetry, and plays -- from the medieval period through
the 21st century. Students will refine their expository writing skills
and gain experience in the analysis of literary texts and other art forms.
CALENDAR OF ASSIGNMENTS: The assignment for each class meeting is found on the on-line calendar at http://cla.calpoly.edu/~dschwart/engl380b/380bsylls06.html. All readings (and video screenings, as applicable) are to be completed before the class meeting on the day for which they are assigned. Unannounced reading quizzes will help monitor whether you are keeping up with assigned readings. Quizzes will take place during approximately the first 10 minutes of class; expect them regularly! Please note that the on-line calendar (not any printout you make) is authoritative. Assignments may be changed or modified in the course of the quarter. Check the on-line calendar regularly (before each class meeting) to ensure that you are completing the correct assignment.
CLASS
EMAIL ALIAS: Important announcements concerning this class
will be sent over the class email alias: engl-0380-02-062@calpoly.edu
. The class email alias is automatically generated using the email address
of each enrolled student found in the Cal Poly Directory server. If your
Cal Poly email account is NOT your preferred email address, you must
PARTICIPATION:
ENGL
380 is designed to encourage YOUR interaction with and enjoyment of the
works we are studying. The primary emphasis is on the texts, not historical
background or scholarly debate (although some familiarity with the historical
context is essential to an understanding of both medieval and modern works
-- and will be covered on exams). If you are
looking for a passive, sit-back-and-listen lecture, please choose another
course. YOUR active participation is essential to the success of
ENGL 380! For these reasons . . .
REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED. Each
absence will affect the participation portion of your final grade, reducing
it from a base of 4.0. If you have a valid reason for missing class
(illness, family crisis, other unavoidable conflict), TELL ME IN
WRITING. A written explanation, signed (by you), is required for
an absence to count as excused; be sure to include your full name, the
class number, time and section, the date(s) missed and the reason(s) for
the absence(s). (A telephone or e-mail message is appreciated as
a courtesy, but it is NOT sufficient for an absence to count as excused).
Any absence for which you do not provide a signed, written explanation
will be recorded as unexcused. Please note: work conflicts and job
interviews are NOT valid reasons for missing class; you are responsible
for keeping work commitments from conflicting with academic ones.
Exception: if you are a graduating senior and must travel out of
town for a final interview, ONE such absence will count as excused.
Do not schedule local interviews or other appointments during class hours.
Due to the twice-weekly seminar format, any absence causes you to miss
a substantial chunk of material. Regular and punctual attendance
is required. Please note that EVERY absence will affect the
participation
component of your final course grade.
ATTENDANCE
GRADE CALCULATION: "Excused" absences (generally, only
for medical reasons, a family or other emergency, or circumstances truly
beyond
your control-- NOT for job conflicts) are weighed less heavily than "unexcused"
absences. For a class that meets twice weekly, the first "excused"
absence lowers the attendance component of the course grade by .2 (4.0
to 3.8); the second "excused" absence lowers it by .3 (3.8 to 3.5). Excused
absences in excess of two (a full week, 10% of the class)
count
the same as unexcused absences. The first "unexcused" absence
lowers the attendance component of the final grade by .5 (from 4.0 to 3.5);
the second by .8 (from 3.5 to 2.7); unexcused absences in excess of
2 (a full week, 10% of the class) lower the attendance component of
your final grade by a full increment (2.7 to 1.7 etc.)
Please note that only absences resulting from illness, a family emergency, or circumstances truly beyond your control count as excused. Absences taken for personal convenience are a matter of choice rather than necessity; they will be recorded as unexcused. Please note that deadlines for other courses, work conflicts and job interviews are NOT valid reasons for missing class. Exception: a graduating senior will be granted ONE excused absence for an out-of-town job interview.
FOR ANY ABSENCE TO BE EXCUSED, YOU MUST SUBMIT A SIGNED, WRITTEN NOTE with course number, date missed and an explanation of the circumstances leading to your absence. (Although I do appreciate your courtesy in letting me know why you have missed a class, an Email or a phone message will not suffice; a written statement with your signature is required for an absence to be excused.)
Some classes will begin with an unannounced READING QUIZ. Quizzes are designed to monitor whether you are keeping up with assigned readings and/or video screenings (IDs of names and/or key episodes) and to provide you with a handy study guide for exams (so, be sure you know the basic facts about the day's reading -- author or director, title, date of composition/production, original language, etc.). Note: much of this background information is provided on the class calendar of assignments the first time the work in question is listed.
PAPERS:
2 short analytic essays
(3-4 pp. ea.), due 4/18 and 6/1. Literary analysis and/or close reading
presenting an argument about the interpretation of the Tristan and Isolde
story found in two examples of the material under analysis.
Topics MUST follow prompt
found in paper guidelines
or be PRE-APPROVED by instructor after an individual conference.
*OPTIONAL* ORAL PRESENTATION: Time will be reserved toward the end of the quarter for OPTIONAL oral presentations based on supplemental material chosen by the student in conjunction with the instructor. Creativity (a performance, the creation of a website or a power-point-presentation, etc.) welcome! Future teachers might consider presenting a supplemental reading (a short story or poem to be made available to classmates as an e-reading) or analyze some Tristan-themed artwork. Presenters will prepare a one-page handout for distribution to classmates. Oral presentations will count for 10% of the final course grade: 5% for the oral presentation will factor into the in-class work grade; 5% for the handout will factor in to the writing assignments grade (see breakdown below).
EXAMS
will cover readings, lectures, and required videos.
The two-hour
Midterm
Exam (closed book, in class, 4/25) and three-hour Final
(closed book, from 4:10-7:00 PM on Friday, 6/9) will each include an essay
on which you may try for GWR certification.
Essays will be worth 50% of exam points; the remaining 50% will
be for the objective portions of the exam. Expect factual questions
(T/F, matching, multiple choice) about assigned works (including critical
essay) and key concepts covered in lectures and background materials. There
will also be item IDS: choosing from a list of key names, objects,
and/or episodes, you will identify the work(s) in which the item appears
and explain its significance in those works. The
Final
Exam will be cumulative, but with emphasis on material covered since
the Midterm
exam.
FINAL EXAM TIME: Friday, June 9, 4:10 - 7:00 PM. NOTE: If EVERYONE in the class can take the exam during the "conflict resolution" time slot (W 4:10-7:00 PM) or during one of the Common Final times (T or W, 7:10-10:00 PM), I will request to move the final to one of those times. But please be aware that such requests are not always approved. If there is no timeslot when everyone could be available to take the exam, or if my request to move the final time is not approved, the exam will take place at the scheduled time, on Friday, June 9, from 4:10-7:00 PM. In that case, please be aware that NO ONE will be permitted to take the exam early!! KEEP THIS DATE IN MIND WHEN MAKING END-OF-QUARTER TRAVEL PLANS!Exam hint 1: Reading quizzes are excellent study guides; use them as you prepare for the objective portion of exams. Exam hint 2: For the essay sections, be sure that you are thoroughly familiar with the paper guidelines provided for out-of-class essays, but please note: you may NOT write your exam essay on the same works and motifs which you chose as the focus of an out-of-class paper!
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25%* | In-class work. Equal weight is given to participation (based primarily upon class attendance) and to your cumulative quiz average. (*Exception: students completing an optional oral presentation will have it count for 5% of in-class work grade.) |
| 25%* | Writing assignments. Equal weight given to Papers 1 and 2. (* Exception: students completing an optional oral presentation will have the presentation handout count for 5% of Writing Assignments grade.) | |
| 50% | Exams (cumulative total). Note: Because this is a C4 writing-intensive course (new GE -- C3 in the old GE), 50% of exam points are for essays. | |
| (10%)* | Optional Oral Presentation (*replaces 5% of In-class work grade and and 5% of Writing Assignments grade) |
| OH MY GOSH . . .
CAN I HANDLE THIS CLASS??
Sure you can -- if you keep up with the readings! But DON'T assume that the class will "take care of itself." If you have a heavy course- and/or work-load, please be sure to budget time for this class . . . or save it for another quarter. Finally. . . remember that I LOVE teaching this stuff, and I'm told that my enthusisam makes my classes more fun! And WHAT ABOUT THOSE TWO-HOUR BLOCKS? Rest assured, we'll take a break each day. Feel free to bring along a caffeinated (or non-caffeinated) drink -- whatever it takes to keep you alert through two hours. If there is sufficient interest, rotating cookie duty will be arranged! WELCOME, AND ENJOY!!! Contents of this and all linked pages Copyright Debora B. Schwartz, 2004-2006
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