TEXTS

The Longman Anthology of Short Fiction, Dana Gioia and R.S. Gwynn , ISBN 0-8013-3159-5 (“Longman”)

The Three Theban Plays, Sophocles, Robert Fagles translation, ISBN 0-14-044425-4 (“Oedipus”)

A World of Ideas, Lee A. Jacobus, 6th edition, ISBN 0-312-39019-X (“World”)

A good college dictionary

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This class will help you improve your reading and critical thinking skills. You will spend the quarter reading, discussing, and writing about a wide variety of literature from the humanities. Some of the reading will be challenging and controversial. You will be expected to analyze and question all of it. We will not always agree with one another, so treating one another with courtesy and respect will be particularly important.

GRADES

Midterm Test	100	Summaries	300 (3 x 100)
Final Test	100	Poetry Exercise	30
Seminar Papers	240 (8 x 30)	Participation	50

Total possible points: 820. To calculate your grade at any time, simply divide the total points you have earned by the total points possible up to that time and multiply by 100, and then apply the following table:

	B+ 87-89	C+ 77-79	D+ 67-69
A 94-100	B 84-86	C 74-76	D 64-66
A- 90-93	B- 80-83	C- 70-73	D- 60-63

Tests You will take two written tests on the assigned reading: a midterm and final. You will be expected to know the material well enough to apply it to new situations. A make-up test will be permitted only in extraordinary circumstances, and only if you have notified me by e-mail prior to the scheduled date.

Seminar Papers (“SPs”) & Seminars You will write 8 carefully crafted SPs. An SP is a short (500 word) written response to the week’s assigned reading. The primary purpose of writing it is to prepare you for class discussion. It does not have to be an “academic essay”; it can be argumentative, questioning, humorous, etc. Use it to explore and question what you read, but write it as well as you can because you will be reading it to a seminar group and submitting it for a grade.

You will participate in 8 “seminars” in connection with the SPs. A seminar is a meeting of a small group of students to discuss insights and ideas triggered by the assigned reading. Each member of the group will read his/her SP. Then the group will discuss the assigned reading and the ideas and insights expressed in the SPs.

Your responsibilities as a member of a seminar group include the following:

1. Be prepared. Do the reading in advance. Write your SPs and print them in time to bring them to class on the due dates. Bring your books to class.

2. Stay on task during discussions. Take responsibility for making discussions worthwhile.

3. Help create a comfortable atmosphere that encourages everyone to share ideas. Listen carefully. Be aware of non-verbal cues (yours and those of others). Don’t allow one or two people to dominate the discussion.

Summaries You will write 3 carefully crafted Summaries (of Civil Disobedience, The Death of Ivan Ilych, and Oedipus the King). Summarizing is an excellent way to focus on what you read. The process of summarizing will include making an outline of the Summary and writing a rough draft. A seminar group will review and comment on the outline and rough draft. You will staple the outline and rough draft to the back of the final draft.

Poetry Exercise You will read all of the Poems posted on the Arts and Humanities website (described below). Then you will meet with a seminar group and select 3 to explain to the class. A missed Poetry Exercise cannot be made up (you will receive zero points if you are absent).

Participation Your participation grade will be based on your attitude, your willingness to share ideas and insights, your willingness to work cooperatively in seminar groups, your contributions to class discussions, and your attendance and punctuality.

ATTENDANCE, PUNCTUALITY, DEADLINES, POLICIES, SPECIAL NEEDS & A&H WEBSITE

I expect you to come to class every day and on time. If you are absent more than 10 times you will receive an “F” for the class. If you arrive late (after I have taken attendance) or leave early you will be treated as being absent.

Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the dates indicated in the Calendar. A late assignment will be accepted only in extraordinary circumstances, and only if you have notified me by e-mail prior to the due date. Any assignment that is accepted late may receive a significantly lower grade (no higher than the lowest grade earned by any assignment turned in on time).

The expectations, procedures, and policies of the Arts and Humanities Division apply to this class. Please review them at www.bcc.ctc.edu/Artshum/materials. Click the current quarter; then click English; then scroll down to ENGL 106 and click Todd B. Assignments, handouts, and other information with respect to the class can also be found here. Please note that plagiarism may result in severe penalties, including an "F" for the assignment or for the class.

Students with disabilities who have accommodation needs are required to meet with the Director of Disability Support Services to establish their eligibility for accommodation. In addition, students who require accommodation in classes must review those requirements with each instructor during the first week of the quarter.

FORMAT REQUIREMENTS

ALL WRITTEN WORK MUST (a) be typed in black ink on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper, (b) have page numbers and be stapled (if more than one page), (c) have one-inch margins on all 4 sides, (d) use a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman 12), (e) have a heading (your name and the name of the assignment), and (f) be submitted as “hard copy” (not as an e-mail attachment).

Do not submit any assignment in a binder.

FINAL WORD

The purpose of the class is to help all of us improve our critical thinking and reading. I hope you will work hard but have fun doing it. The rules are intended to make sure the class runs smoothly for everyone. If you run into any problems, please let me know as soon as possible so I can help you find a solution. Help is here if you need it.