VINNIE LINARES
English 256: WI Online
Office Kupa'a 205
Office Hours:
By appointment and or one hour prior to class.Phone: 808.984.3316
E-mail: linares@hawaii.edu
Welcome to the class!
English 256 WI is a basic literature survey course that examines three major literary forms:
1.Biography: true life stories
2.Poetry: a broad range of styles and genres from different historical periods
3.Drama: a detailed examination of a single play, in print, and on video
Learner Outcomes: At the conclusion of the course, you will be able to
a. Define and correctly use appropriate literary terms
b. Plan, organize, compose, develop, and revise essays in order to produce, clear, logical prose that analyzes the texts thoroughly,
c. Identify and discuss major literary themes, characters, and concepts in literature and poetry
Required texts and materials
Please purchase the following books. They are listed in the order we will read.
I have provided the ISBN numbers from the Oxford University Press: Here is the web page:
1. Media, Euripides--- may be free online: ISBN: 0-19 282 442--2 or
Antigone: Sophocles: 0-19-500%67-5
2. Hamlet, Shakespeare----may be free online: ISBN: 0-19 283 416-9 or
Macbeth, Shakespeare----0-19-283417-7
3. Last Temptation of Christ, Nikos Kazanzakis: ISBN 008 485 256X
4. Portrait of An Artist as a Young Man, James Joyce: 0-19-283998-5
I strongly suggest, that once you have registered, you get these books online immediately, using some online service such as Amazon.Com, especially those students not living on Maui where the MCC Bookstore is readily available.
I will provide a series of handouts on literary analysis. Using the Internet, the class will also create a list of appropriate historical files/folders dealing with authors and the influences of their times upon their writing. These will be posted weekly in the appropriate Web Ct folder
Poetry: You will select three of the five poets for your poetry reading and research:
Billy Collins, Walt Whitman, Allen Ginsberg, Langston Hughes, and /or Sylvia Plath
Videos: Voices and Vision Series: MCC LIBRARY
Number 505: Langston Hughes
Number 514: Sylvia Plath
Number 50%: Walt Whitman
Videos: Hall of Fame Poetry: MCC LIBRARY
Numbers 534-535
Numbers 391-392
Given that some of you are off island, the above tapes may not be available to you, so please check you local campus library and/or community library. I will also make every attempt to be sure you have access to whatever tapes your need.NOTE
This is a computer based, ONLINE class, so the expectation is that all students have a fairly good working knowledge of WORD, how to make and use attachments, how to cut and paste documents, and how to efficiently use Web Ct for all class workTOP
The course has numerous components: assigned readings and free writes; Dialectics; Timed writings, 3 formal essays; Web based class presentations; Web Ct Chat sessions; Video streaming lectures, Live, interactive weekly HITS sessions, Quizzes, a Mid-term, and a final exam.
Online Attendance and Participation.
Any good analysis of literature requires critical, reflective writing; consequently, there will be a great deal of both graded and non-graded writing done for class. Furthermore, much of your writing will be shared with your classmates, as the technology we have on hand allows us to collectively react to and critically analyze literature.
Assigned Readings and analysis/critique
I will provide you with a list of required and recommended readings. Your Syllabus Schedule outlines the weeks and dates when specific readings are to be completed. Furthermore, all assignments will be announced and posted weekly in your appropriate My Web Ct folder and in the Web Ct calendar.
Web Ct Homepage: www.webct.hawaii.edu
Dialectics:
For each major literary work read, you need to complete a Dialectic.
The dialectic format is posted in a Web Ct Discussion folder. Dialectics are not letter graded but given a credit/no credit grade and are posted in Web Ct at the conclusion of our discussion/writing about a particular literary work
Weekly Writing Assignments
Throughout the semester there will be free writes devoted to your analysis of literature read-and or in reaction to some points suggested. These free writes will be electronically stored in the appropriate Web Ct Discussion folder most often shared with your classmates, and ultimately posted in a chronological record of your class work. This work also ties in with the Writing Intensive nature of the course. A WI class employs specific objectives for learning and writing:
Guided and free writing combination for formal and informal styles
Directed peer groups
Class discussions
Written comments on essay drafts
One-on-one conferences at various stages of the writing process
Appropriate tutorial support as needed
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Essays
Three (3) essays, each a critical analysis of the literature and themes examined, will be written throughout the semester. Spaced about 5 weeks apart, each essay will allow you an opportunity to analyze and critique the literary themes we are examining during that period. One of the essays will be your Mid-term, and the other your final exam.
Essay Guidelines
1. Each essay must be at least 650 words�use of graphics is highly recommended
2. Each essay must use a minimum of 3 separate citation sources
3. Essays will follow MLA format
4. Appropriate literary terms and vocabulary are to be used
Your written work is the most effective way to communicate your understanding and critical analysis of the literature read. Take great care in writing and submitting your essays, for they are mirrors of your mind.
Grading Criteria for Essays:
Characteristics of an A/B essay
Essay is focused never strays from its purpose and audience
Essay is well organized, informative, and manageable
Each paragraph has a controlling idea, solid detail, and smooth transitions
Sentences are varied in style and length
Word choice is appropriate, and chosen for precise denotation, connotation, and tone
There are few if any major errors with grammar, punctuation, spelling and mechanics.
Characteristics of a C/D essay
Essay has some interest, but is not uniformly maintained�purpose and audience is not always clear
Organization is good, but slightly awry�there is a clear thesis or principle of organization
Paragraphs have controlling idea and some support, although weak and vague at times
Word choice is general correct, but range of words is somewhat limited so that diction is not precise
Few major errors, but there are too many mistakes of spelling, grammar a mechanics, and punctuation
Characteristics of an unsatisfactory essay
Essay reads like a beginning draft
Very little attention to purpose or audience. Unfocused
Some principles of organization used, but randomly
Under-developed paragraphs that are too general
Frequent errors in sentence structure, grammar and mechanics
Word usage not reflective of a college level writing
Does not follow requirements of the assignmentTOP
Chats, Video streams and weekly, voluntary HITS sessions
Throughout the term, we will gather together on scheduled evenings to hold class chats, sharing and examining literary issues series of video streams will be posted on the course web page examining topical issues. Furthermore, once a week, a 20-minute live interactive help session will be broadcast on HITS� Hawaii Interactive Television. Attendance is voluntary. The sessions will be taped and then rebroadcast on MCC's Cable Station 55, as well as video streamed--These important lectures, as well as other important topics, will be video streamed weekly and posted in a folder. These video streams are then accessible ANYTIME you want to watch them. You need Windows Media Player and or Apple Quick Time Player to download and watch them.
Web page for video streams:http://mccac03.mauicc.hawaii.edu/tegrity/
Either alone or with a partner(s), a webbed class presentation will be required. Guidelines will be provided later.
Throughout the semester there will be announced and unannounced quizzes. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the semester
Exams:There will be a mid-term and final essay exam--these quality as two of the three essays required for the course.
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Attendance and Participation
Online attendance is extremely important for several reasons: It is required to pass the course and be part of the discussion and critical analysis; Your contribution, when coupled with that of your classmates, insures that we will have a lively, interesting, and challenging semester; A writing intensive course utilizing computer technology and on-line interchange is not a textbook, content centered course; therefore, your full participation and presence is essential. Rule of thumb is to be online reading, reviewing, sharing, and posting your work for a minimum of 3 hours a week
In order to succeed in this class you need to be properly prepared weekly. If you procrastinate or do not complete the work assigned, you will be unable to participate in the numerous activities planned, and or write effective analysis. A typical week will involve some or all of the following activities:
1. A reflective free write analyzing an assigned reading
2. A collective class free write answering a particular question raised by a classmate or me
3. �Talk Time�: Group/individual readings
4. Internet searches
5. Essay drafts
Assignments in almost every case will be posted prior to any particular class along with the following week's work; therefore, you can always know what is to done and what work is forthcoming. Furthermore, the topics in the Web Ct Discussion folders, lay out in a chronological order, work to be done over the semester week by week. Work is also posted in the Web Ct CalendarTOP
the total number of points you acquire determines your final grade. If, by the end of the semester you have acquired in excess of 900 points, you need not take the final essay exam.
Components Possible Points
Essay 1 100
Dialectics 100
Mid-term 150
Presentation 100
Quizzes 100
Attendance Participation 200
Free write Portfolio 100
Final Exam 150
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Some Important Points
Show, don't tell
Less is more�the best writing says the most with the fewest words!
It's Ok to be wrong
First impressions count
Your learn more when you disagree
Do not be constrained by the course requirements�surpass them!
You have a responsibility to yourself and to your fellow students
Read your essays/prose a loud, preferably alongside someone who reads quietly as you do a loud�lots of errors found this wayBe responsible and committed to your own learning
We Write to be Read!
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These policies, procedures, and goals and objectives are time tested and have proven to be successful for this course, and are designed to help you succeed, providing a workable and flexible structure throughout the term. As your guide and editor, I look forward to working with you as you develop and further hone your critical thinking and literary writing skills.
If you have any special learning needs or requests: a diagnosed learning disability; a physical disability; anything that might impede with your learning, please do not hesitate to inform me, for it is imperative that we create a learning environment that works for all.
To ensure that we have a positive, respectful, comfortable, and inclusive classroom environment, we must always be respectful and accommodating to each other, never allowing rude and/or inappropriate behaviors to disrupt our work.
And finally, I need you to read and carefully consider the following: �All forms of cheating, including plagiarism, are against College policy and can lead to automatic failure expulsion.� Take the time to carefully review the meaning of plagiarism in any dictionary, as well as thoroughly acquaint yourself with it by reviewing the following web page:
Please read and sign
I have read the syllabus and understand the policies of the class. I understand that my grade is based upon percentage points I achieve throughout the term.
I understand the definition and expectations for our classroom culture, and understand that not following the recommendations; policies and procedures
for the course can lead to a failing grade, and/or removal from the class.
NAME (please print)________________SIGNATURE_______________
Date___________
HAVE A WONDERFUL SEMESTER
english 256 syllabus