ENGL 350

Origins: In Search of Self

(The specific focus of this course changes from semester to semester. This semesterÍs focus: Power & Corruption)

NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester.

Objectives

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

q Discuss, analyze, and compare and contrast works of literature in terms of plot, character, setting, theme, and language.

q Identify and discuss the use of dramatic conventions.

Texts

q Robert Penn Warren. All the King's Men

q Robert Bolt. A Man for All Seasons

q John Pielmeier. Agnes of God

q Henry David Hwang. M. Butterfly

q plus various poems, other handouts, and videotapes

Grades

q Reading Quizzes 40%

q Comparison-Contrast Paper 20%

q Final Exam 20%

q Participation 20%

I interpret the grades I give you in the following way:

F UNACCEPTABLE

D ACCEPTABLE below average.

C AVERAGE turned in on time; fulfilled assignment; not particularly insightful or inspired.

B ABOVE AVERAGE either one element was outstanding or the paper in general was better than average.

A EXCELLENT entire assignment exceptional!

Presentation of Assignments

q All out-of-class papers must be typed and double-spaced.

q All papers must reflect mechanical writing competence. A poorly written paper will lower your grade.

Attendance

q More than two absences or repeated lateness will lower your grade.

q You may not make up missed reading quizzes or other assignments.

q I will not accept late papers. If you can't get to class, send your paper with someone. Should class be canceled for any reason, be prepared, at the next class, to cover the work from both classes. (University of Baltimore closings will be announced on the university web site www.ubalt.edu and on the university's weather line 410-837-4201.)

Plagiarism

It's illegal and unethical to use someone else's work without properly crediting the source. If you are not sure where that line is between needing to credit a source or not or between quoting, paraphrasing, and original language, please ask me in advance or err on the side of over-citing. If I discover that you've plagiarized material for this class, I will ask you to withdraw from the course and submit the case to the University's disciplinary board for action up to and including expulsion.

Explanation of Assignments

Reading Quizzes: Expect a short quiz at the beginning of each class in which a reading (or viewing) assignment is due. If you read/viewed the material, youÍll probably do well on the quiz. All of the quizzes together will count 40% of your final grade.

Paper: During the course there will be two major writing assignments (3-4 pages). You have to write one of them (specific assignment to follow).

#1 Agnes of God and one of the following films: The Apostle, Elmer Gantry, Leap of Faith, Resurrection.

#2 Dangerous Liaisons and one of the following: Cruel Intentions or Valmont.

(There are brief descriptions of the films at the end of this syllabus.)

Other Relevant Information

q My classroom manner tends to be casual and easygoing, loose, and seemingly disorganized. Don't let those cues mislead you! I am very serious about this course and about the caliber of your work. Anything short of excellent will be graded accordingly.

q Occasionally, students take some of my remarks or humor as sarcastic. And some of those students take it personally. Please know that I have high regard for each of you as students and as human beings.

Class and Assignment Schedule

WEEK 1

Introduction and Overview

WEEK 2

All the King's Men (1: pp.1-50)

WEEK 3

All the King's Men (2: pp.51-109)

A Man for All Seasons

WEEK 4

A Man for All Seasons (cont'd.)

WEEK 5

All the King's Men (3&4: pp.110-190)

View Becket [in class]

WEEK 6

All the King's Men (5: pp.191-228)

WEEK 7

All the King's Men (6&7: pp.229-311)

Agnes of God

[View Film #1 by this class]

WEEK 8

"The Declaration of Independence"

[Paper #1 Due]

WEEK 9

All the King's Men (8: pp.312-354)

M. Butterfly

WEEK 10

M. Butterfly

WEEK 11

Film: Dangerous Liaisons

WEEK 12

All the King's Men (9&10: pp.355-438)

[View Film #2 by this class]

WEEK 13

[Paper #2 Due]

WEEK 14

[View Film #3 by this class]

WEEK 15

Final Exam




			ENGL 350 Origins: In Search of Self (The specific focus of this course changes from semester to semester. This semesterÍs focus: Power & Corruption) NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester. Objectives By the end of the course, you should be able to: q Discuss, analyze, and compare and contrast works of literature in terms of plot, character, setting, theme, and language. q Identify and discuss the use of dramatic conventions. Texts q Robert Penn Warren. All the King's Men q Robert Bolt. A Man for All Seasons q John Pielmeier. Agnes of God q Henry David Hwang. M. Butterfly q plus various poems, other handouts, and videotapes Grades q Reading Quizzes 40% q Comparison-Contrast Paper 20% q Final Exam 20% q Participation 20% I interpret the grades I give you in the following way: F UNACCEPTABLE D ACCEPTABLE below average. C AVERAGE turned in on time; fulfilled assignment; not particularly insightful or inspired. B ABOVE AVERAGE either one element was outstanding or the paper in general was better than average. A EXCELLENT entire assignment exceptional! Presentation of Assignments q All out-of-class papers must be typed and double-spaced. q All papers must reflect mechanical writing competence. A poorly written paper will lower your grade. Attendance q More than two absences or repeated lateness will lower your grade. q You may not make up missed reading quizzes or other assignments. q I will not accept late papers. If you can't get to class, send your paper with someone. Should class be canceled for any reason, be prepared, at the next class, to cover the work from both classes. (University of Baltimore closings will be announced on the university web site www.ubalt.edu and on the university's weather line 410-837-4201.) Plagiarism It's illegal and unethical to use someone else's work without properly crediting the source. If you are not sure where that line is between needing to credit a source or not or between quoting, paraphrasing, and original language, please ask me in advance or err on the side of over-citing. If I discover that you've plagiarized material for this class, I will ask you to withdraw from the course and submit the case to the University's disciplinary board for action up to and including expulsion. Explanation of Assignments Reading Quizzes: Expect a short quiz at the beginning of each class in which a reading (or viewing) assignment is due. If you read/viewed the material, youÍll probably do well on the quiz. All of the quizzes together will count 40% of your final grade. Paper: During the course there will be two major writing assignments (3-4 pages). You have to write one of them (specific assignment to follow). #1 Agnes of God and one of the following films: The Apostle, Elmer Gantry, Leap of Faith, Resurrection. #2 Dangerous Liaisons and one of the following: Cruel Intentions or Valmont. (There are brief descriptions of the films at the end of this syllabus.) Other Relevant Information q My classroom manner tends to be casual and easygoing, loose, and seemingly disorganized. Don't let those cues mislead you! I am very serious about this course and about the caliber of your work. Anything short of excellent will be graded accordingly. q Occasionally, students take some of my remarks or humor as sarcastic. And some of those students take it personally. Please know that I have high regard for each of you as students and as human beings. Class and Assignment Schedule WEEK 1 Introduction and Overview WEEK 2 All the King's Men (1: pp.1-50) WEEK 3 All the King's Men (2: pp.51-109) A Man for All Seasons WEEK 4 A Man for All Seasons (cont'd.) WEEK 5 All the King's Men (3&4: pp.110-190) View Becket [in class] WEEK 6 All the King's Men (5: pp.191-228) WEEK 7 All the King's Men (6&7: pp.229-311) Agnes of God [View Film #1 by this class] WEEK 8 "The Declaration of Independence" [Paper #1 Due] WEEK 9 All the King's Men (8: pp.312-354) M. Butterfly WEEK 10 M. Butterfly WEEK 11 Film: Dangerous Liaisons WEEK 12 All the King's Men (9&10: pp.355-438) [View Film #2 by this class] WEEK 13 [Paper #2 Due] WEEK 14 [View Film #3 by this class] WEEK 15 Final Exam home \| bs, corporate communication \| ba, english \| ma, publications design \| mfa, integrated design \| mfa, creative writing & publishing arts \| people \| portfolio \| facilities \| classes \| undergraduate applications \| graduate applications \| contact \| site index \| university of baltimore