This course will provide a general introduction to poetry, short fiction, non-fiction prose, the novel, and drama. Attention will be given to the literary, social and historical contests of literary works. Although this is a large class, you are each encouraged to participate. Before each class, write down at least one probing question, related to your reading assignment that could stimulate class thinking and discussion.

Texts: Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell. Literature: Reading, Reacting,
Writing. Compact 5th Edition. Boston: Heinle, 2004.

Ernest Gaines. A Lesson Before Dying. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2000.

Requirements: Attendance; class participation; completion of assigned readings (you will be asked to read supplementary assignments in addition to those detailed in your syllabus), four essay exams in class, a 250-word response to a related cultural event outside of class (suggestions are asterisked throughout the syllabus), a critical essay of at least 500 words on poetry, fiction or drama, a research paper of at least 1,250 words with at least five works cited. If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, please contact your professor and Dr. Elaine Pearson, Director, Office of Disability Services (677-6389), as early as possible in the semester.

September

W 3 Introduction to the course and to each other. Conventional literary themes.
Active reading, interpreting and evaluating literature. A juxtaposition of poems
by Elizabeth Woody and Joy Harjo.

F 5 Kirszner and Mandell, “Understanding Literature,” 1-14; “Understanding
Poetry,” 547-54. *Wheels of Justice Tour, Hoy A & B, 9-5.

M 8 Kirszner and Mandell, “Discovering Themes in Poetry,” 555-77.

W 10 Kirszner and Mandell, “Reading and Writing about Poetry,” 578-98.
Suggestions for essay on poetry.

F 12 Kirszner and Mandell, “Voice,”599-635. Essay exam on poetry in class.

M 15 Kirszner and Mandell, “Word Choice, Word Order,” 636-61.

W 17 Kirszner and Mandell, “Imagery,”662-77.

F 19 Kirszner and Mandell, “Figures of Speech,” 678-706.

M 22 Kirszner and Mandell, “Sound,” 707-732.

W 24 Kirszner and Mandell, “Form,” 733-67.

Th 25 *Oscar Howe Lecture featuring Ed Archie NoiseCat, 7 p.m., Farber Hall

F 26 Kirszner and Mandell, “Symbol, Allegory, Allusion, Myth,” 768-793.

M 29 Essay on poetry due. Share these.

October

W 1 Kirszner and Mandell, “Understanding Fiction,” 43-51.

F 3 Kirszner and Mandell, “Reading and Writing about Fiction,” 52-75.
Suggestions for essay on fiction.

M 6 Kirszner and Mandell, “Plot,” 77-110.

W 8 Kirszner and Mandell, “Character,” 111-45.

F 10 Kirszner and Mandell, “Historical Setting,” 146-94.

M 13 Native American Day. No classes. *Native American Day Wacipi

W 15 Kirszner and Mandell, “Point of View,” 195-244. *USD Theatre, Taking Steps,
Oct. 15-18.

F 17 Kirszner and Mandell, “Style, Tone and Language,” 245-85. Similarities and
to and differences from non-fiction prose.

M 20 Delphine Red Shirt reads in Frankenfeld A & B, CSC. *9 in OM 201, 11 in

W 22 Kirszner and Mandell, “Symbol and Allegory,” 286-330. Essay exam on
fiction in class.

Th 23 *Karen Lonehill, Amer. Indian Studies Dir., OLC, speaks, Farber Hall, 7:30

F 24 Kirszner and Mandell, “Theme,” 333-83

M 27 Begin discussion of A Lesson Before Dying.

W 29 Continue A Lesson Before Dying.

F 31 Essay exam on A Lesson Before Dying in class.

November

M 3 Complete discussion of A Lesson Before Dying.

W 5 Essay on fiction due. Share these.

F 7 Kirszner and Mandell, “Writing a Research Paper,” 1535-68. Note casebooks
following each genre.

M 10 Kirszner and Mandell, “Understanding Drama,” 931-57.

W 12 Kirszner and Mandell, “Reading and Writing about Drama,” 958-77.
Suggestions for writing about drama. *USD Theatre, One-acts, Nov. 12-15.
Bring outline of research paper to class.

F 14 Kirszner and Mandell, “Plot,” 978-1050.

M 17 Kirszner and Mandell, “Character,” 1051-62, 1178-1250. Miller, Death of a
Salesman

W 19 Death of a Salesman continued.

F 21 Kirszner and Mandell, “Staging,” 1251-57 and 1271-1314. Sophocles,
Oedipus the King

M 24 Oedipus the King continued.

W 26 Kirszner and Mandell, “Theme,” 1315-19, 1358-1413. Wilson, Fences.

Thanksgiving recess

December

M 1 Kirszner and Mandell, Williams, The Glass Menagerie, 1419-68.

W 3 Kirszner and Mandell, 1416-19, 1468-1507. Williams continued. *Euripedes,
Women of Troy, Dec. 3-7

F 5 Essay on drama due. Share these.

M 8 The poetry of Lance Henson.

W 10 Peer editing and sharing of research papers.

F 12 Research papers due. Discussion of the course as a whole.

Requirements and Evaluation Criteria Specified:

Class attendance is required: Three absences are permitted. After these three, 2% will be deducted from your total grade points for each unexcused absence.

Participation: You will be expected to participate in class discussions and to complete writing exercises inside and outside of class, including a 250-word response to an out-of-class cultural event (2%), Total 10%

In-class essay examinations on poetry, short fiction, the assigned novel, and drama: These will be based upon reading assignments and class lectures and discussions up to and including the exam date. 10% each, Total 40%

500-word essay: You may choose to write on poetry, fiction or drama. 20%

1,250-word research paper: 30%

Criteria for essays:

Out of class essays should be typed according to the MLA format. When you use the words and ideas of other authors, always cite your sources, and quote when appropriate. Plagiarized writing is unacceptable and will receive no credit. Students may not redo plagiarized essays.

A: This grade is reserved for an essay that demonstrates the highest competence. The thesis is clear and well supported with accurate references in the form of specific details to primary and secondary texts, as required by the specific assignment. Well organized and coherent, this essay is free of grammatical, mechanical and spelling errors. It features varied sentence patterns and precise diction appropriate to its purpose. Documentation, Works Cited, quotations and other items are done properly, according to the MLA format. An unusually creative expression, this essay provides insights that illuminate the literature discussed.
B: This grade is for an essay that demonstrates competence; however, it does not meet all the expectations mentioned above.
C: This grade is for an essay that demonstrates a degree of competence; however, its creativity, substance and/or technique are not above average.
D: This grade is for an essay that is below average in competence.
F: This grade is for an essay that demonstrates incompetence.

Plus or minus grades indicate slight deviations from these standards.

Late papers: Points will be deducted according to the number of class periods that have passed since the paper was due. For example, a paper which would have received an A on the due date will receive an A- if it is one class period late, a B+ if it is two class periods late, etc.

Averaging of Final Grades:

Class participation including response to an out-of-class event (2%): 10%

Four essay examinations in class: 40%

500-word essay: 20%

1,250-word essay: 30%

Grading Scale: 90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D, 0-59% F