SYLLABUS ENGLISH 210-1303
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The City University of New York
Department of English
Title of Course: Introduction to Literature
Class Hours: Wednesdays 1pm-1:50pm (N470), Fridays 1pm-2:40pm (N455)
Semester: Spring 2019
Credits: 3
Instructor Information: Yolande Brener, ybrener@bmcc.cuny.edu
Course Description:
This is a course that builds upon skills introduced in English 101. In this course, literature is the filed for the development of critical reading, critical thinking, independent research, and writing skills. Students are introduced to literary criticisms and acquire basic knowledge necessary for the analysis of texts (including literary terms and some literary theory): they gain proficiency in library and internet research; and they hone their skills as readers and writers. Assignments move from close readings of literary texts in a variety of genres to analyses that introduce literary terms and broader contexts, culminating in an independent, documented thesis-driven research paper. By the conclusion of English 201, students will be prepared for the analytical and research-based writing required in upper-level courses across the curriculum; they will also be prepared for advanced courses in literature.
Basic Skills: Writing about Literature, Understand and Appreciating different writing genres
Prerequisites English 101 or 110
Required Text: Literature: A Portable Anthology, 4th Edition, Eds. Janet E Gardner, Beverly Lawn, Jack Ridl, and Peter Schakl. Bedford/St. Martin’s, ISBN: 978-1-319-03534-1Other Resources: Blackboard
Use of Technology: Blackboard, email
Attendance Policy: This is a three hour class. You are allowed four hours of absence. Three late arrivals equals one absence. For each extra hour of absence, you will lose 5 percentage points from your final grade. If you have seven hours of absence, you cannot pass this class.
Classroom Etiquette: If you need to use your phone for anything non-class related such as texting, please leave the room to do so, and return when you are free to take part in the class. Please do not bring food into the classroom. Drinks are fine. Please respect your classmates, and please speak up if you have any questions or concerns.
Assignments and Grading
| Assignment
Formal, thesis-driven, evaluated writing should total at least 15-20 typed graded pages or approximately 3,750 to 5,000 words, across a minimum of 4 papers. |
Value
percentage or points |
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Essay 1: Fiction Assignment, due 02/22 (750 words) |
15% |
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Essay 2: Poetry Assignment, due 03/15 (750 words) |
15% |
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Essay 3: Drama Assignment, due 04/10 (750 words) |
15%
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Essay 4: Research Assignment, due 05/10 (800 words) |
20% |
| Informal Writing and Self Reflection due 05/17 (500 words) | 15% |
| In-class Presentation | 10% |
| Attendance | 10% |
Word counts given are minimum.
Student learning outcomes
| General Education Learning Outcomes | Measurements | ||
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Communication Skills- Students will be able to write, read, listen and speak critically and effectively. | Students completed all assignments successfully and contributed to class discussions, demonstrating knowledge of assigned readings.
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Departmental Outcomes |
Measurement |
| Write clear, grammatically correct sentences in well-organized paragraphs | Four graded essays including drafts and revisions. |
| Write well-developed thesis-driven argument and analysis papers, some of which incorporate research | Graded essays, including drafts and assignments |
| Frame research questions; plan research strategies; find and evaluate sources using the BMCC Library and the BMCC Library Website; and present results of research | Graded essays, in-class group exercises |
| Define and apply literary terms to analyses of texts within three major genres of literature | Graded essays, in-class work |
| Correctly use the conventions of MLA documentation and citation, including a “Works Cited” page | Documented essay |
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Pathways Outcomes |
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| Be able to respond proficiently in writing (i.e. per the outcomes for “A”) to literary works. | Graded essays |
| Display familiarity with literary works by a variety of authors in a variety of genres. | Graded essays |
| Be able to offer an extended discussion in writing of two or more texts and authors in relation to each other. | Graded essays |
| Demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret based on careful attention both to the detail and overall design of a literary work. | Class discussions, graded essays |
| Demonstrate an understanding of the role of context in determining meaning. | Class discussions, graded essays |
| Course Student Learning Outcomes | Measurements |
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Understand and describe the basic elements of poetry, including meter, rhyme, and theme.
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Poetry assignment demonstrates comprehension of poems studied in class. |
| Discuss the elements of fiction including narrative structure, character analysis and comparison between different but related texts. |
Fiction assignment shows understanding and interpretation of short stories studied in class.
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| Talk about dramatic storytelling including play structure, monologues, dialogue, and scene setting. |
Drama assignment displays attention to elements of drama in relation to works studied in class.
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| Use library resources to research and develop arguments about literary works. |
Research assignment shows appropriate use of MLA in text citations and works cited list.
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| Work skillfully within a team, respect coworkers, delegate work and contribute to a group project. |
Group presentation is successfully completed and shows student’s individual contribution.
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RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
The Learning Resource Center: To help make your college career a success, the Learning Resource Center (LRC) offers students academic support services to strengthen academic skills and meet their learning needs. The LRC is located in Room S510 and all services are available free of charge to registered BMCC students. The LRC offers academic coaching, tutoring, workshops and events (especially around final exams time), and computer labs.
| Contact:
Tutorial Program: (212) 220-1383 |
Hours (while classes are in session)
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. |
The BMCC Writing Center at 199 Chambers Street in Room S-510 teaches registered students to think critically, write actively, revise mindfully and proofread carefully. In addition, we provide support for faculty who are incorporating writing pedagogy into their curricula. The Writing Center offers One-to-One Tutoring for Students A sixty (60) minute, one on one tutorial with a writing professional is at the heart of our service. We teach students to develop, organize, draft, revise, and proofread their work.
Make an appointment at http://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/writingcenter/
Or you can also come to our office in room S-510 on the Main Campus or call (212) 220-1384 during our business hours to make an appointment.
The Writing Center Offers Many Types of Assistance, including:
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The English as a Second Language (ESL) Lab at BMCC is located in Room S-510J at 199 Chambers St. in the Learning Resource Center (Room S-510). The ESL Lab is here to help students improve their English skills (grammar, reading, listening/speaking/pronunciation, and vocabulary).
The ESL Lab offers:
ESL Lab Hours |
ESL Tutoring Hours Monday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Staff Joshua P Belknap, ESL Lab Coordinator Altagracia Soldevilla, ESL Lab Evening Supervisor Saundra Miyashiro, ESL Lab Weekend SupervisorContact Room S-510J, 199 Chambers St. (212) 220-1422 jbelknap@bmcc.cuny.edu |
BMCC is committed to the health and well‐being of all students. It is common for everyone to seek assistance at some point in their life, and there are free and confidential services on campus that can help.
Single Stop
www.bmcc.cuny.edu/singlestop, room S230, 212‐220‐8195. If you are having problems with food or housing insecurity, finances, health insurance or anything else that might get in the way of your studies at BMCC, come by the Single Stop Office for advice and assistance. Assistance is also available through the Office of Student Affairs, S350, 212‐220‐8130.
Counseling Center
www.bmcc.cuny.edu/counseling, room S343, 212‐220‐8140. Counselors assist students in addressing psychological and adjustment issues (i.e., depression, anxiety, and relationships) and can help with stress, time management and more. Counselors are available for walk‐in visits.
Office of Compliance and Diversity
www.bmcc cuny.edu/aac, room S701, 212-220-1236. BMCC is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive learning environment free of unlawful discrimination/harassment, including sexual harassment, where all students are treated fairly. For information about BMCC’s policies and resources, or to request additional assistance in this area, please visit or call the office, or email olevy@bmcc.cuny.edu, or twade@bmcc.cuny.edu. If you need immediate assistance, please contact BMCC Public safety at 212-220-8080.
Office of Accessibility
www.bmcc.cuny.edu/accessibility, room N360 (accessible entrance: 77 Harrison Street), 212-220-8180. This office collaborates with students who have documented disabilities, to coordinate support services, reasonable accommodations, and programs that enable equal access to education and college life. To request an accommodation due to a documented disability, please visit or call the office.
College Attendance Policy
At BMCC, the maximum number of absences is limited to one more hour than the number of hours a class meets in one week. For example, in a three-hour class, you are allowed 4 hours of absence (not 4 days). In the case of excessive absences, the instructor has the option to lower the grade or assign an F or WU grade.
BMCC Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Statement
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s ideas, words or artistic, scientific, or technical work as one’s own creation. Using the idea or work of another is permissible only when the original author is identified. Paraphrasing and summarizing, as well as direct quotations, require citations to the original source. Plagiarism may be intentional or unintentional. Lack of dishonest intent does not necessarily absolve a student of responsibility for plagiarism. Students who are unsure how and when to provide documentation are advised to consult with their instructors. The library has guides designed to help students to appropriately identify a cited work. The full policy can be found on BMCC’s Web site, www.bmcc.cuny.edu. For further information on integrity and behavior, please consult the college bulletin (also available online).
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