ENGL 471 Critical Approaches to Literature

Dr. Janet S. Land

Craig 203
406-4410
jland@gardner-webb.edu

Office Hours:
MWF
11:00 12:00
MW
2:00 5:30
and by appointment

NOTE: All Gardner-Webb University students must use their

Gardner-Webb University email addresses for conducting academic business.

Email Hours:
M-F
9:00 5:00

Course Description
A study of critical approaches to literary and other texts. Focus on contemporary approaches such as New
Criticism, deconstruction, reader-response criticism, new historicism, gender theory and otherswith
practical application of theories to a range of literary texts.
Required Materials
Richter, David H, Ed. The Critical Tradition: Classic Texts and Contemporary Trends. 3rd ed. New
York:Bedford. 2007.
Bressler, Charles E. Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. 5th ed. Englewood Cliffs,
NJ: Prentice-Hall. 2011.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. 2nd ed. New York: Bedford. 2000. (Because Ive assigned articles located in
this edition, a copy is on library reserve. However, you may read any unabridged edition. )
Recommended Materials
Harmon, William and C. Hugh Holman, eds. 9th ed. A Handbook to Literature. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice, 2003.
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 5th ed. New York: Modern Language
Association, 1999.
Course Objectives
In Critical Approaches to Literature students will

Fall 2013

study theories of literary periods and movements and causes of change among them,
learn the variety of possible approaches to reading and writing about literature,
learn to use critical theory as a practical tool for studying literary texts and other cultural
documents/texts,
learn the contemporary critical concepts and vocabulary necessary to read and understand works of
applied literary criticism, and
explore one or more approaches to texts with a view toward developing ways of reading and writing
about texts.

Learning Outcomes
In Critical Approaches to Literature students will learn to

Identify and describe core concepts of each literary theory

Differentiate between theories and core concepts
Define and use vocabulary associated with each theory
Discuss cultural, political and economic factors related to each theory
Critique selected applications of each theory
Apply theories to literary texts and other cultural documents.

A typical class will involve one or more of four activities: (1) discussion of a reading assignment, (2)
discussion of a writing assignment, (3) group activities, and (4) application of a critical theory to a text.
Expectations
Professor
Respect each individual's views and right to privacy
Communicate and interact respectfully with all members of the class learning community
Give clearly defined assignments
Be punctual and well-prepared for each class
Introduce concepts and strategies to meet the course objectives and to help develop and improve
writing skills
Return assignments in a timely manner
Provide helpful comments on assignments
Adjust assignment due dates to enable reasonable, on-line submission in response to GWU and
Blackboard maintenance schedules and officially documented ISP or GWU technology failures
Respond to Student to Student discussion board messages at least 3 days a week via Messages
from Dr. Land
Post, as needed, schedule changes and other course information on Announcements
Be fair in grading and in administering class policies
Provide support and encouragement throughout the course
Abide by University Honor Code, rules, regulations and expectations as described in the Student
Handbook
Scholars
Treat everyone as a respected member of the class learning community
Attend class regularly and on time
Participate in class discussions and activities
Check Blackboard announcements and Messages from Dr. Land at least 3 days a week
Ask questions about content or the course in Student to Student discussion board
Stop by my office, email me, or call my office to communicate personal circumstances affecting
your course progress or questions about my evaluation of your assignments
Call me or stop by my office when you need a response in less than 48 hours
Schedule at least one individual conference with me.
Complete all assignments on schedule and in a scholarly manner
Submit assignments early enough to avoid last-minute technology failures, or willingly accept late
penalties when not possible
Abide by University Honor Code, rules, regulations and expectations as described in the Student
Handbook
Contact me to discuss all concerns or issues about the course or assignments or to arrange special
accommodations

Fall 2013

Policies
Assessment Categories and Percentages
Individual Assessments
Final Exam
Essays (2)*
Summary/Abstracts
RATs
Reading responses
Discussion Posts
Team Assessments
Projects (2)
RATs
Team Performance Assessment

Grade Scale:
20%
20%
20%
5%
10%
10%
5%
5%
5%

A+ = 100-99
A = 98- 96
A- = 95-94
B+ = 93-92
B = 91- 88
B- = 87-86
C+ = 85-84
C = 83-80
C- = 79-78
D+ = 77-76

D = 75-72
D- = 71-70
F = 69 >

Attendance
According to University policy, students must attend a minimum of 75% of the 44 class meetings. Therefore,
students may miss no more than 11 classes. However, because this course is based on a process in which
each reading and writing assignment builds on the one preceding it and prepares for the one following it,
regular attendance is essential. If you cannot attend a class, please contact a classmate for the assignment.
The privilege to make up missed assignments is not automatic. In fact, in many cases in-class work cannot
be done outside of class. Consequently, you should attend all class meetings. In case of an unavoidable
absence, you should discuss necessary absences and the appropriate means of make-up work prior to the
classes missed.
NOTE: The final exam for this class is scheduled for 2:00 on Wednesday, December 11. You are
expected take the exam at this time. Please make plans accordingly.
Communication
1. I'll post information about class changes or cancellations as "Announcements". Announcements will
appear on "My Dashboard" and in your email.
2. I've created two discussion boards to handle general course/class communications.
"Students to Students" is your space . . . Please check this board 2-3 times a week.
Celebrate completion of an assignment. Share frustrations with an assigned reading. Ask your
peers questions about the course requirements, content, or assignments. (However, if the assignment
is due in less than 48 hours call me or stop by my office during regular office hours.)
Because this is a community space, no grades will be assigned to any of the posts, but, if you prefer,
you may post anonymously - just remember to check the box at the bottom before you submit your
post. And . . . as you participate in these virtual class conversations, I expect you to use proper
netiquette and treat everyone as respected members of our learning community.
In "Messages from Dr. Land" I'll respond to unanswered questions and, if necessary, contribute to
some of the responses. Please check this board 2-3 times a week as well. Also, you can expect me to
use proper netiquette and treat everyone as respected members of our learning community.
3. If you cannot contact me via phone or stop by my office, use email to ask questions about your grade or to
discuss personal matters. If youre given permission to send an assignment or draft as an email attachment,
also attach a Read Receipt. Doing so will prevent problems resulting from email failures.
Writing Assignments:
Reading Responses
Reading responses discuss each theory and examine relationships or contrasts between theories. Due
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dates and submission locations are listed on the schedule. Responses are usually a minimum of 1-2
paragraphs. Each post must respond to the prompt and, when necessary, include textual support, as
indications you have sufficiently engaged the text.
Discussion Board Posts
Discussion threads deal with application and methodology and will be posted in the forum Theory
Discussions. Due dates are listed on the schedule. Minimum requirements for the posts are (1) a
response to the posted discussion prompt - 5 points and (2) one response to anothers post (this
response must contribute something new to the discussion) - 5 points.
Summary/abstracts (2)
Summary/Abstracts summarize and critique two assigned articles and prepare you for the application
essays. (Also see the policy on Incompletes, and see the Summary/Abstract Assignment Sheet for
requirements and rubric.)
Application Essays (2)

Essay Revisions:
One essay may be revised (according to the following definition) for a better grade. In the event that the
grade of the revised essay is lower than the original grade, the original grade will not change. The
revision must be submitted (with the original graded essay) within one week after the graded essays are
returned to the class.
Revision is a step in the writing process, which involves a substantial reworking of essay content,
organization, and/or development. Mere correction of grammatical and/or mechanical errors is
defined as "editing" or "proofreading," steps in the writing process that should be completed
BEFORE an essay is submitted for a grade.

Incompletes
All essays and summary/abstracts with more than ten errors in grammar and/or mechanics will be
returned with an "Incomplete" and should be corrected and resubmitted (with the original graded essay)
within one week after the graded essays are returned to the class.
If you choose not to rewrite and resubmit an Incomplete item within one week after the grades are posted,
the grade on that essay will be an F.
If the corrected essay or summary/abstract contains more than ten errors in grammar and/or mechanics, the
final grade for that item will be an F.
Submitting Assignments
Reading responses and discussion posts are preparation tools for the upcoming class. Consequently, both
assignments have submission dates prior to each class. Essays and Summary/Abstracts are due by 2:00 a.m.
on the due date and in the format and location specified in the instructions.
Late Work:
All assignments are due as specified on the schedule or the Bb calendar. An assignment is "late" if it is not
(1) submitted by the due date, (2) in the specified location, and (3) in the specified format, usually .doc, .rtf,
or .html.
However, to allow emergencies, each student is allowed one late submission for either an essay or
a summary/abstract - no more than one week - without penalty. After the "free" late is used, the grade on late
essays or summary/abstracts will be lowered one grade level for each class day the assignment is late (i.e. a
B- would drop to a C+ if the assignment is submitted one day late, a C of submitted two days late, a C- if
submitted three days late, etc.).
Fall 2013

Plagiarism:
Using another's words or ideas as your own will result in a grade of F on the work involved, possible failure
of the course, and/or consultation with the Dean of Student Development. Also, the department is aware of
the prevalence of Internet sources that provide student papers and is constantly monitoring the proliferation
of these sites.
NOTE: It is the English Departments policy that a grade of FX for the course will be assigned any
time a student submits any draft of a major assignment of which a substantial portion has been falsely
represented as the students own. Minor assignments that are plagiarized will also be prosecuted
according to University Academic Dishonesty Policy. Also, resubmitting work done for a previous
class for credit for this class without my permission will be considered academic dishonesty.
Students should familiarize themselves with Turnitin.com. It is the English departments policy to use this
service as one tool for encouraging academic integrity. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, all essays and
summary/abstracts submitted via Blackboard will also be submitted to Turnitin.com.
Cell Phones
Unless were using them for an in-class assignment, all cell phones must be turned off before class begins.
Discuss exceptions with me prior to class.
Laptop Computers
Use of laptop computers is limited to recording class notes or completing other class-related activities.

Special Accommodations
A student needing accommodations to participate fully in all class activities and to fulfill
requirements of the class should
(1) register with the Noel Program for Students with Disabilities (704-406-4270) in order to receive
accommodations, and
(2) notify me as soon as possible, preferably within the first week of class.
Emergency Plans: In case of an on-campus emergency that requires evacuation of the building, please
assemble as quickly as possible in the parking lot between Lutz-Yelton Hall (dorm) and Nanney Hall.
to check in with your professor.
University Writing Center
The Writing Center (Tucker Student Center, Rm 237) is a resource for all students, regardless of major or
level of study. Writing Center consultants are fellow students who have a solid grasp of the English language
and writing who also enjoy assisting others. They will help you with developing and revising your ideas as
well as polishing your final draft. You can make an appointment for a consultation in Webb Connect or walk
in to see if there's an available appointment. Visit gardner-webb.edu/writingcenter for important information
like semester hours of operation.

Fall 2013