The University of Alberta
English 111: Language, Literature, and Culture
Section N1, 2008-2009,  T, Th 11-12:20: ESB 1-31 

Instructor: Prof. Robert Brazeau  				E-mail:rbrazeau@ualberta.ca   
Office:  HC 3-65						Phone:  492-7840
Office Hours: Tuesday 1-2; Thursday 9:30-10:30

This course will, through a series of readings across genres and historical eras, examine creative and rhetorical uses of the English language, with particular emphasis on the relationship between artistic production and the cultural and political context from which it emerges. We will read fiction, poetry, drama, and non-fictional prose; as well, we will examine films, cyber media, and other forms of representation in this course.  Broadly speaking, this course has three distinct goals: to introduce students to the discipline of English; to examine the ways in which those in that discipline think about and analyze literary and everyday language practices; and to help students become more proficient writers and readers. 

Texts: 
Stott, et al. (eds), The Harbrace Anthology of Literature, 3rd ed.  (Nelson)
Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49

Evaluation:
Term Work 	70% of final grade
Final Exam	30% of final grade (2 hours; includes work from the entire course)

Distribution of Term Marks
1 – 750 word essay	 	 	10%  
1 - 1000 word essay			15%  
1 - 1000 word essay			20%  
1 - 1200 word research paper		25%
1 - annotated bibliography		  5%
1 - Christmas exam (1 hour)		15%  
Class participation			10%

Total term work			100%

Grading System
4.0 = A+    Excellent
4.0 = A      Excellent
3.7 = A-     Excellent
3.3 = B+    Good
3.0 = B      Good
2.7 = B-     Good
2.3 = C+    Satisfactory
2.0 = C      Satisfactory
1.7 = C-     Satisfactory
1.3 = D+    Poor
1.0 = D      Minimal Pass
0.0 = F       Failure

Instructions and Regulations

1.  Essays are to be handed in at the beginning of class, and to be your own.  Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and will be discussed in class. The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behaviour that could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.

2.  No extensions on assignments will be given on the day your essay is due. You may take one extension without explanation during the duration of this course; all others must be discussed in advance with me.  Late papers beyond the one allowable “explanation-free” extension that are not documented with a doctor’s note will be docked 5% per day, including weekends.  

3. Class participation is essential to a course like this, and it will be the student’s responsibility to have readings done before class and to come to meetings fully prepared to discuss the works at hand.

4.  Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.

5.  Students should consult the attached Regulations Pertaining to First-year Courses for information about appeals, reassessments, plagiarism, and external help with assignments

Tentative Course Outline  

	This schedule is subject to additions and/or deletions. We will take up the assigned readings on the designated date unless otherwise specified; you are expected to have the entire work read for the date noted.  
________________________________________________________________________

Term 1
September
04	Introduction to the course, syllabus, and regulations	
09	Diagnostic Writing (in class and ungraded)
11        Melville, “Bartleby, The Scrivener” (Harbrace)
16        Gilman, “The Yellow Wallpaper” (Harbrace)
18	Essay Writing Basics: Writing as Process
23	Poe, “The Fall of the House of Usher” (Harbrace)
25	Writing: essay outlines, introductions, and thesis statements
30	Faulkner, “A Rose for Emily” (Harbrace); 
	Chopin, “The Story of an Hour” (Harbrace);
	
October
02	Writing Workshop, Marvell, “To His Coy Mistress”
07	Welty, “Why I Live at the P.O.” (Harbrace);
	Roethke, “My Papa’s Waltz” (Harbrace)
09	MacLeod, “The Boat” (Harbrace); King, “Borders” (Harbrace)
14	Browning, “My Last Duchess” (Harbrace); Plath, “Daddy” (Harbrace)
16	Joyce, “The Sisters” (handout)	
21        Joyce, “Araby” (Harbrace)
23        Joyce, “The Dead” (handout), Essay exchange
28        Peer Editing
30        TBA (Joyce “The Dead”)
	
November
04        First Essay Due
06        Shakespeare, The Tempest (Harbrace)
11        November Break, University Closed
13 	Shakespeare, The Tempest (Harbrace)
18	Shakespeare, The Tempest (Harbrace)
20	Shakespeare, The Tempest (Harbrace)
	Essay Exchange
25	Peer Review
27        Walcott, “The Ruins of a Great House” (Harbrace)
	Second Essay Due
 
December
02	Discussion of Mid-Session examination; review
Mid-Session examination, Thursday December 11, 2008 at 9:00 am, in our regular meeting room (ESB 1-31)