Introduction to Writing and Literature CCA 2010: Syllabus

WRLIT 108-01: Introduction to Writing and Literature FALL 2010

Mondays, 12-3pm

BBLD 5, OAK

Instructor: Eric Olson Teaching Assistant: Luisa Leija

OH: M 10-12 in the cafe, Th 1-3pm 3^rd floor Mackey Hall

Course Description

This course will introduce students to key concepts in literary studies while emphasizing the relevance of those concepts to their own creative writing. What is literature? What are the literary movements that have had the most influence on contemporary culture? How does literature interact with the other arts? What is the relationship between literature and politics? We will explore such questions through a close consideration of literary texts and a variety of writing assignments. Students will analyze and discuss works of fiction, poetry, drama, and criticism.

Learning Outcomes

· Ability to critically read and assess the different genres of creative writing, including poetry, prose, non-fiction, and drama;

· Ability to discuss, present information, and lead discussions beyond the standard formats of poetry, prose, non-fiction, and drama.

· Ability to consider creative works from different critical and theoretical perspectives;

· Introductory knowledge of the study of literary arts in general and the CCA writing and literature major in particular;

· Ability to evaluate scholarly essay drafts and provide constructive criticism in order to edit and improve them.

Readings

We have a lot of ground to cover in this class. Not surprisingly, this means we’ll have a lot of reading to do. Some of the reading may be more difficult than the reading you’re used to. It is absolutely imperative that you complete all reading assignments in a timely manner. In order to keep you on track, there may be weekly quizzes on our readings which should be easy to complete if you’ve done your work. In order for you to keep costs down and ensure availability, I have not ordered these books through Diesel. You should go find them online or elsewhere (preferably not directly from Amazon, but, you know, some things can’t be helped.)

Nabokov, Vladimir, The Annotated Lolita, edited by Alfred Appel. Vintage, ISBN-13#: 9780679727293.

Gutkind, Lee ed., The Best Creative Nonfiction: Vol. 3, W.W. Norton, ISBN#--9780393330250

Hoover, Paul ed., Postmodern American Poetry: A Norton Anthology, W.W. Norton, ISBN#--9780393310900

Marcus, Ben (ed), The Anchor Book of New American Short Stories, Anchor Books, ISBN#: 9781400034826.

Beckett, Samuel, Waiting for Godot. (I’m using the Grove Press edition, but whatever you can find will work)

Diaz, Junot, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. ISBN#: 9781594483295

Coover, Robert, Pricksongs and Descants, ISBS#: 9780802136671

Assignments

Writing assignments in this class will include: weekly 1-2 page responses to our readings. You will be asked to approach the readings from a variety of different perspectives. Drafts of these response papers will be due for workshop on Mondays, and a final draft will be posted to the course website by midnight on Wednesdays. There will also be one final paper of significant scholarly rigor (10-15 pages) which will include a proposal, source evaluation, and two drafts before the final draft is due.

Participation

Because of the nature of this course, it is very important for us all to be able to speak about the subjects we are discussing. Therefore, silence, shyness, spectatorship, and ambivalence in class discussions will not be tolerated. While there will be times when I will lecture to you on a particular topic, the majority of the class will be based on discussion (discourse). Each of you will be expected to speak each day. If you do not hold up your side of the bargain, you will, 1) lose participation points (see grade breakdown below), and, if that doesn’t convince you, 2) I will begin punishing you in strange and publicly embarrassing ways. So come to class prepared to discuss.

Attendance Policy

You are allowed 3 absences. After that you will fail the course, no exceptions. Three late arrivals to class (ten minutes or more) will count as one absence.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism in any form, intended or otherwise, will not be tolerated. At the very least you will receive no credit for an assignment that has been plagiarized. Depending on the severity of the offense you may fail the entire course, face disciplinary hearings, or be asked to leave the college. See CCA’s academic integrity code for further information.

Grade Breakdown

Reading Responses (9) 90

Final Proposal 10

Source Evaluation 50

Final Draft 1 50

Final Draft 2 100

Final 100

Participation 100

500 pts total

Schedule of Classes

9/13

Introductions, What is Literature?

Grammar, Mechanics, Punctuation

9/20

Introduction to Short Fiction

READ in Anchor Book: George Saunders’ Sea Oak and A.M. Homes’ Do Not Disturb, Wells Towers’ Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned, Mark Richard’s Gentlemen’s Agreement, Aimee Bender’s The Girl in the Flammable Skirt,