The aims of the course will include enjoying the reading, learning about each work, analyzing in writing the ways in which common elements work in fantasy, and understanding the reasons fantasy is currently so popular. The course readings will begin with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and The Hobbit. While we are reading and discussing these pieces in the first two weeks, we will select 8 more texts from paperback books you suggest and which you argue for including. Once texts are selected, you are advised to scout around for copies. Libraries (including interlibrary loan) and used book stores will be the most economic providers, but for texts that will be read later in the semester, ordering online might be practical.

Required Texts:
C. S. Lewis The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
J. R. R. Tolkien The Hobbit
8 other fantasy texts agreed upon by the class

The course grade will come from the reading journal (30%), group presentations (20%), individual papers (30%), and participation (20%).

READING JOURNALS: As understood in this course, a reading journal is a
type of diary by means of which you focus your thoughts on the reading material, record references to key passages, articulate questions that the texts seem to raise, and sometimes try out answers to those questions. You will submit journal entries on the reading at the beginning of each class for which the reading is due. These will be handwritten on looseleaf, and on one side of a sheet of looseleaf . Your grade for journaling begins as an A. You can only lower it by a) failing to hand entries in at the start of class on the day they are due or b) by inappropriate responses (summary rather than interpreting or critiquing; lacking enough specifics to show you read the work--I will give examples at the beginning of the course), or c) comprising less than half a sheet for the response not including the heading.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS: Preceding our reading and discussion of a book, a group of between 2 and 4 members of the class will introduce the book and its author. See the oral presentation description on a separate sheet.

INDIVIDUAL PAPERS: See my description of the options for this on a separate sheet. If you would prefer taking a final exam rather than writing some of the papers, you may negotiate with me, but again a final exam will not be trivial.

PARTICIPATION: Not only does your attendance contribute to the community we make in this class, your contribution to class discussion is crucial for helping others understand the texts in different ways and for clarifying your own position--ideas that will show up in your papers. I grade your participation according to the number of times you attend class during the semester, working on the basis that you can't participate if you don't attend. Here's how it will work:
0-5 absences = A; 6 absences = A-; 7 absences = B+
8 absences = B; 9 absences = B- and so on.
There are 45 class sessions this semester, and you have five "freebies" (11% of work). Your freebies are intended to cover such emergencies as the day you were sick, the day the baby sitter didn't make it, the day you couldn't find a parking space, the days you were deciding which class you really needed, or the day you were out of town playing the basketball finals. After your five freebies, every absence counts against your attendance/participation grade. You are strongly advised to hoard your freebies. Journals will work the same way. You can't hand in a journal entry after it is due, but 5 missing journal entries are free! If you know you will be absent, you may hand in the journal early.

Week 2 Discuss The Hobbit

Week 3 Introduction and discuss The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Journals to be done on Lion each day. Friday presentation on Anne McCaffrey's Dragon Flight

Week 4 Discuss Anne McCaffrey's Dragonflight; Journals to be done on Dragon each day except when you hand in a paper.

Week 5 M. Dragonflight (half class).
W (full class); finish Dragonflight; presentation on Mercedes Lackey's By the Sword and read Ch. 1-5.
F: Discuss Mercedes Lackey's By the Sword Ch. 6-10; Journals to be done on Sword each day except when you hand in a paper.

Week 6 M, Discuss Mercedes Lackey's By the Sword Ch. 11-18;
W Discuss Mercedes Lackey's By the Sword Ch. 19-24.
F: presentation on J. K. Rowling's the Sorcerer's Stone.;
Journals to be done on Sword M and W and on Sorcerer F unless you hand in a paper.

Week 7 M, W, Sourcerer's Stone;
Wednesday: presentation on Ursula Le Guinn's Earth Sea Trilogy, volume 1.; Journals to be done on comparison of parallels and differences in Rowling and Le Guinn's stories.except when you hand in a paper.
No class on Friday. Use this as a research day.

Week 8 Discuss Wizard of Earth-Sea each day. Journals on same except when you submit a paper
Friday presentation on Llloyd Alexander's The Book of Three.

Week 9 M, W Discuss Llloyd Alexander's The Book of Three.; Journals to be done on Three each day except when you hand in a paper.
Weds. presentation on Orson Scott Card's Seventh Son.
Fri. Discuss Orson Scott Card's Seventh Son. Journal on Seventh unless you submit a paper.

Week 10 Discuss Orson Scott Card's Seventh Son; Journals to be done on Son each day except when you hand in a paper.
Friday presentation on Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes.

Week 11 Discuss Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes; Journals to be done on Wicked each day except when you hand in a paper.

Week 12 M: presentation on William Goldman's Princess Bride.; M, W Discuss William Goldman's Princess Bride.; Journals to be done on Princess each day.
Friday: Catch up day

Week 13 M and W: Each person reports on what has been most enjoyable and most informative for her or him. Suggestions for future classes. Suggestions for two videos that might tie what the class has investigated together..
Friday: holiday

Week 14 M. Draft workshop for all final papers.
W, F. Videos and discussion as time allows.

Week 15. Videos and discussion as time allows.