This writing-intensive, discussion-oriented course introduces you to the English major. We will study a variety of genres, including fiction, poetry, drama, film, and even comic books. This course will help you acquire a vocabulary and develop critical strategies for analyzing literary texts. As you master the tools and techniques of literary analysis, you will grapple with theoretical questions about the values and assumptions underlying the study of English.

How to reach me:
My office is in Carolina Inn 204, ext. 2595.
My office hours are Mondays & Thursdays 9:30-10:30 am; Fridays 1:30-3 pm.
If these times conflict with your schedule, you may schedule an appointment.
For quick, factual clarifications, but not for advice or conferences, you may contact me by e-mail at suchurchill@davidson.edu. In emergencies, you may call me at home, 704-896-3993 (between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.).
The syllabus is on the web at www.davidson.edu/academic/english/faculty/churchill_home/ENG220_S06_syllabus.htm. It contains links to electronic reserve readings and other resources.
Our class distribution list is ENG220C_S06@davidson.edu. When you send a message to this list, it goes to every member of the class, including me. Please use this list to contact me with any questions about the course, especially clarifications of readings, assignments, and due dates. Chances are, if you're confused, someone else is too.

Required texts:
Peter Schakel and Jack Ridl. Approaching Poetry: Perspectives and Responses. St. Martin's Press, 1997.
Jane Austen. Persuasion. Signet Classics, 1996.
Peter Ho Davies. Equal Love. Mariner Books, 2000.
William Shakespeare. King Lear. Arden, 1997.
Tony Kushner. Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes (Part I: Millenium Approaches). Theatre Communications Group, 1993.
Paul Aster. City of Glass: The Graphic Novel. Picador, 2004.
Literary and Cultural Theory. Ed. by Donald E. Hall. Houghton Mifflin, 2001.
Scott McCloud. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Harper, 1994.

Electronic Reserves/Readings:
Some readings may be placed on electronic course reserves, as will be noted in the syllabus by (ER). Print out these readings in advance and assemble them into a folder, binder, or packet. Electronic problems are NOT an excuse for not doing the readings. A few poems can be found in the English Poetry (1600-1900) database, which you can access through the library home page. (Mac users beware: the search engine only works on Internet Explorer, not Safari.) We will also be consulting on-line resources such as the Thomson Gale Glossary of Terms (http://www.galegroup.com/free_resources/glossary/) and the Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism, which is available through the library home page.

Grade Breakdown:
Participation = 15%
Short Papers (4): 40%
Informed Argument: 20%
Midterm exam: 10%
Final exam: 15%

Graded Assignments
I. Class Participation = 15%. Class participation is crucial to the success of this class.  Do the reading. Post your responses to our Blackboard Discussion Board [BDB]—an informal conversation-in-writing. Come to class with relevant texts and assignments. Be prepared to ask questions, take notes, listen, and respond to each other. Your class participation grade will be based on your BDB postings, attendance, and contributions to class discussions, as well as on group activities such as staging a scene and participating in a peer editing workshop.

You may miss two classes without directly lowering your grade—you don't need to provide any excuses. But use those absences wisely, because except in the case of verifiable hardship (e.g. Dean's or doctor's excuse), each absence after two lowers your final grade by 1/3 of a letter. For instance, a student with a B- final grade who missed three classes would earn a C+ for the semester. If you get a letter from a dean or doctor to excuse additional absences, you must still make arrangements with me for make-up work.

II. Short Papers = 40%. You will write 4 short papers (750 words each): a close reading; a scansion & analysis; a Marxist or feminist analysis; and and a textual variant analysis.

III. Informed Argument = 20%. The short papers will prepare you to write a longer paper (2500 words), informed by your research into relevant scholarly criticism.

IV. Exams = 25%. Examinations will cover all assigned reading and material presented in class, including discussion, handouts, slide presentations, guest lectures, etc.  Examinations are closed-book, timed, self-scheduled during the time period indicated on the syllabus, and governed by the Davidson Honor Code. The midterm covers all material in the poetry unit, and the final is cumulative.

Important Guidelines for All Assignments
All written work must be typed in a standard 12-point font, double-spaced with one-inch margins, and stapled. CITE YOUR SOURCES. All written work must provide complete bibliographic citations for ALL materials used, including the primary work(s) discussed, following MLA or Chicago Style (Although style manuals are available in the reference section of the library, I urge you to purchase your own). You are encouraged to see me for help, to use the Writing Center, and to exchange papers with classmates in this class ONLY, provided you indicate in your pledge who helped you and how.

Assignment due dates are listed in the syllabus. Work handed in after these deadlines will be considered late and will be marked down a full letter grade for each day late. If you need an extension, you must clear it with me a week before the assignment is due. NOTE: The Carolina Inn is open from 8 a.m.–5 p.m., M–F, and locked nights and weekends. If you need to drop off or pick up a paper, make sure you get there before lock-up.