Course Requirements and Grading

Attendance and Participation: As our work here will revolve around discussion, your participation and preparedness are indispensable, and will be graded. You will be permitted one unexcused absence; each additional unexcused absence lowers your final grade one step. Moreover, chronic late arrivals will not be tolerated; for every three late arrivals, one unexcused absence will accrue. Attendance at the screenings is likewise required; if you have a conflict, it is your responsibility to ensure that you see the film. Finally, be aware that presence without preparedness does not count. Do the reading. (15%)

Readings and Responses: As you'll no doubt quickly note, there's a lot of reading in this class: twelve novels, plus supplementary theoretical and critical essays. As you'll also quickly figure out, most of the novels are very fast reads. While I may narrow your focus in them at times, please note that the supplementary essays are not optional reading; I'll expect each of you to be able to use them in your discussion of the novels. You will be required, moreover, to submit a one-page (single-spaced, 12 point type on letter-size paper) analytical response to each of the texts we read this semester. Your papers should focus on some critical question affecting the text's meaning, and should use a close reading of the text to support its points. These papers will usually be due on the last day we discuss each text, but they absolutely must not rehash class discussion — these papers should represent your own thoughts about the text in question. You will be allowed to skip one response paper in the course of the semester without penalty; extra points may be awarded if you turn in all of them. Take these papers seriously; they may provide fodder for the longer papers you have to write. Absolutely no late papers will be accepted; if you must miss class on the day one is due, turn it in early. (20% total)

Class Facilitation: Early in the semester, I will divide the class into discussion groups. Each group will be responsible for taking the lead in class discussion, on a rotating basis. Each group will facilitate our discussion by giving a brief presentation and by preparing questions and topics that actively guide our exploration of the material. More details to follow. (10% total)

Papers: During the semester, you will produce one 4 to 6-page paper in which you will perform a close reading of any element of one of the novels we have read to that point. The term paper, due at the end of the semester, will be 12 to 15 pages long, will involve substantial research, and will make a complex, well-defined argument. You will submit a proposal and an annotated bibliography for this paper several weeks in advance of the paper itself; shortly before the paper itself is due, you will submit a draft to a peer reviewer. All papers must use proper MLA format. Late papers will only be accepted by prior arrangement. Again, more details to follow. (midterm paper, 15%; term paper, 40%)

N.B.: There are currently no exams scheduled for this class. I reserve the right to change my mind, however, if I feel an insufficient number of people are completing the readings each week. Do your friends a favor: do the reading, talk in class, and avoid a nasty final exam.