Instructor: Dr. Jan Strever
Office Hours: M-R--1:30 - 2:30
Office: 239 A Old Main
Phone : 533-8035
Class Syllaweb:
http://ol.scc.spokane.edu/jstrever/lit/poetry275/Default.htm
Course Outcomes
Students will be challenged to:
 | develop critical reading, writing, and thinking skills |
| improve their ability to analyze works of poetry using appropriate terminology |
| demonstrate an increased appreciation and understanding of the structure and levels of meaning in poetry |
| improve the organization and development of written responses to readings and of written research projects |
| develop an understanding of college-level research techniques as used in literary investigation |
| learn to work cooperatively in the pursuit of knowledge through participation in the learning community |
Responsibility Outcomes
A critical step in becoming a truly educated individual is that of taking responsibility for one's own learning. The following outcomes address this step:
| Participating in class discussions in an informed and professional manner. |
| Asking questions when a concept is not clear. |
| Setting and balancing priorities. |
| Understanding and accepting consequences. |
| Demonstrating respect for others.
|
Class Procedures and Requirements
1. Readings and Reading Journal: A reading journal related to each week's assignments is required. See Readings. A journal entry is due each Monday by class time.
2. Seminars: Once each week all students are required to participate in a small group seminar. Our seminars focus on the week's readings and lectures. We offer feedback on group member's seminar papers, so it is imperative to attend well-prepared. Read assignments carefully, marking important or difficult passages, and take notes in the margin; write down questions you have. Active participation is required and evaluated. In order to attend seminar and feedback sessions, you must have your own seminar paper.
3. Seminar Papers: In addition to participating in the seminar discussion, you must have a completed seminar paper by your appointed seminar day. A seminar paper is a 300-500 word analytical response to a topic question designed by the instructor. It must be submitted according to manuscript form -- first page without a title page. Use your handbook to help with formatting.
4. Research Essays: Academic writing most often requires research. Therefore all your papers will require your the text and outside sources; all students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of basic research and documentation skills. Two longer papers will require this type of research. All papers should use MLA documentation form.
5. Discussion Board: Each week students are expected to respond to the week's discussion question for a total of ten (10) points. Students have only one week, from Sunday, 12:00 a.m. to Saturday, 11:59 p.m, to respond to the week's question. After the week lapses, points will not be awarded. Moreover, if you post outside the week's thread, don't be surprised if your points aren't where they are supposed to be either.
6. Web Portfolio: At the end of class, each student will have been expected to compile a list of links, a review and an in-depth research project on the author of choice. More on this later.
7. Assessment Activities: In addition to writing assignments and class discussion, there will be several quizzes, both announced and unannounced, class activities, and self-evaluation opportunities. Each assignment will be worth a certain number of points, and the total points for the quarter will be the basis for your final grade. Students should keep a record of grades and all of your work in a portfolio. This portfolio will be the basis for at least one self-assessment assignment.
Participation and Attendance
- Participation and good attendance are essential to any literature class. Meeting deadlines and attendance at the class meetings are mandatory, online or real time.
- Late Work and Withdrawals -- To receive credit for a seminar paper, please turn it in at the time and date specified on the calendar. Students cannot participate in their seminar for the week if they do not have their seminar papers completed.
Seminar papers will not be accepted late; however, to allow for the unexpected, you may turn in one seminar paper late without an excuse or penalty if you submit it within one week of its due date. To do this, you must attach your late paper certificate to the front cover. If you submit all seminar papers on time (in other words, if you do not use your late-paper option), ten points will be added to your overall grade points.
There is NO late paper option for the research essays. You will know their due dates well in advance and, therefore, should be able to plan for the unexpected. You should be aware that I do not give "Z" grades. If you stop attending the class, or you decide to stop attending school altogether, please withdraw officially. If you are ill and cannot come to campus, SCC can assist you in such a situation.
"Code of Conduct" Matters
Plagiarism is defined as failing to give proper credit when using the work of another or turning in the work of someone else as your own. The penalties are serious and range from failure of an assignment to failure of the course. The English department at S.C.C. supports and enforces the plagiarism policy outlined in the Student Code of Conduct-please refer to this for a more detailed discussion of the topic.
Lastly, the following information is included for the sake of clarity-the Student Code of Conduct states, "To create and preserve a classroom atmosphere that optimizes teaching and learning, all participants share a responsibility in creating a civil and non-disruptive forum. Students are expected to conduct themselves at all times in this classroom in a manner that does not disrupt teaching or learning. The instructor is authorized to take such steps as are necessary when behavior of the student disrupts the normal classroom procedure." The code goes on to list examples of disruptive behaviors, some of which include monopolizing class discussion, rude or disrespectful language, excessive or disruptive lateness, carrying on conversations unrelated to classroom matters, engaging in activities unrelated to classroom work, repeated interruption by cell phones, pagers, etc., and premature preparing to exit class.
I have no wish to be unreasonable here -- I don't consider every sneeze to be disruptive. Having said that, though, please understand my primary responsibility is to maintain an environment that fosters learning for all students, and I am required by the school and by law to deal assertively with anything that interferes with that.
Grading
To encourage you to take ownership of your progress in class, We will use web grading. You can access your grades at
https://secure.scc.spokane.edu/UserSpace/default.asp
Your user name is the first initial of your first name combined with your last name. For example, mine would be jstrever.
Your password is the last four numbers of your student identification.
Grades are updated each Monday and Tuesday. It is your responsibility to check your own progress.
If you have questions or concerns about a particular grade, please use the comment feature in the gradebook to notify me of the concern. Also, please notify me within one week of the publication of the grade, so that we can stay current. I will not back track further than that, so do yourself a favor and stay on task. Moreover, let's be discrete about your grades--if a problem arises, please arrange an appointment with me to discuss it.
A final comment about grades: please be advised if I find that students are spending an inordinate amount of time worrying their grades, as a dog worries or gnaws a bone, I will delete this feature from the class.
Also, my philosophy about grades is that you earn them....I do not give them to you.
Click here to find out point percentages.