English 2200 Syllabus

HU/DV English 2200, Introduction to Literature

Syllabus

This reading schedule is intended to be suggestive, not prescriptive. In the event we find that we need to spend more time on a text than originally allocated, we can easily adjust our syllabus. You should know that one of the signs of a good class discussion is that we will not have time to address all the reading that has been assigned for a certain day. Let’s proceed with the understanding that this class, like life, is a set of contingencies. I will announce at the end of each class what specific texts we will be discussing closely for the following session. Please stay tuned!

As a kind of first, informal assignment, explore our textbook (as print or e-book) and consult its TOC (with TLC) for the pagination of our readings and the bio sketches and author index.

SHORT FICTION

Week 1–2

Getting our Feet Wet in the Morass of Deep/Short Fiction

Why Literature?
Edgar Allan Poe, "The Cask of Amontillado"
James Baldwin, "Sonny’s Blues" & Ken Burns, Risk (video)
Of interest: Latin Rising -- an anthology of Latino/a science fiction & fantasy

Characterization

David Foster Wallace, "Good People"
Junot Diaz, "Wildwood"

DP #1 ______________________________________

Week 3–5

Setting, Symbols and Stuff

Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "The Yellow Wallpaper"
Tim O' Brien, "The Things They Carried"
DP #2 _____________________________________
Eudora Welty, "Why I Live at the P.O." P.O. - Discussion Questions
Raymond Carver, "Cathedral"
Jhumpa Lahiri, "Interpreter of Maladies"
DP #3 ______________________________________

Reading More Fiction - Overflow Hour - Our Glossary

**** NOTEBOOKS DUE (1) ****

POETRY

Week 6	Sniffing the Stuff out: Poetry - Reading, Responding, Writing Defining Poetry, Lydia Davis, "Head/Heart"; Bruce Springsteen, "Nebraska"; Sherman Alexie, "A Facebook Sonnet" The Art of (Reading) Poetry - An Album (7 poems) - FYI: Poetry Foundation -- Elizabeth Alexander
Week 7–9	Situation Setting, Speaker Yusef Kommuyakaa, "To Do Street," "Facing It" (locate all poems of these authors in textbook > Index of Authors) Kay Ryan, "Repulsive Theory," "Blandeur" DP #4 ____________________________________ FYI: Is the Human Brain Hardwired to Appreciate Poetry?
	Linda Pastan, "To a Daugher Leaving Home," "Listening to Bob Dylan, 2005," "love poem," "In the Har-Poen Tea Garden," "Marks" DP #5 ____________________________________ Terrance Hayes, "Mr. T -," "Carp Poem" - FYI: American Academy of Poets, Terrance Hayes - Orange is the New Black in "Carp Poem" by Terrance Hayes
	Metaphor, Simile, Symbol Robert Browning, "Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister," "My Last Duchess" DP #6 _____________________________________ Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken," "Home Burial," "Range-Finding," "Stopping by Woods . . . ," "Design," "'Out Out-,'" Poems Pick & Choose - Recommendations: - Section 16, Sounds of Poetry -- Word and Music - An Album (selections) DP #7 _____________________________________ ** NOTEBOOKS DUE (2) Reading More Poetry - Overflow Hour - Our Glossary Revisited - Section 21: Cultural and Historial Contexts - The Harlem Renaissance** (selections) DP #8 ______________________________________

DRAMA

Week 10–12	Drama: Reading, Responding, Writing Susan Glaspell, Trifles Trifles - Discussion Questions August Wilson, Fences DP #9 ________________________________________ Anton Chekov, The Cherry Orchard (time permitting) Reading (Seeing) more drama - Overflow Hour ** NOTEBOOKS DUE (3) **

NOVEL AND/OR FILM? -- (via class consent)

Week 13–15

Wes Anderson, Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009
DP #10 ___________________________________________
Judith Ortiz Cofer, "Volar"
William Gibson, "The Gernsback Continuum"
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: A Tale for Children"
Some poems TBA

**** Additional office hours: Thursday, 20 April, 10:30-12:00 ****
**** PAPER DUE: Friday, 21 April 2017, 12:00 noon, EH #455 ****

Click on the Toolbox for an Editing Checklist and student sample paper, and make sure you give yourself enough time to visit the Writing Center as you work on your paper drafts.

**** Final Exam Review and FINAL EXAM (in class and take home) ****

Additional Information

Select the ToolBox from the navigation menu above for an Editing Checklist and student sample papers, among others.

A concluding note: The only dumb question is the one you don't ask. My door is always open (and if not, please knock; I will answer if I am there). Please don't hesitate to stop by during my office hours or to make an appointment via email, if you're having trouble getting started or want to talk about your ideas or progress.