INTERAMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO

AGUADILLA CAMPUS
EDUCATION AND HUMANISTIC DEPARTMENT
General Education Program
Course Syllabus
JAN. MAY (2015-30)

I. General Information
Course:
GEEN 2312 Literature and Writing
Credits:
Three (3)
Room:
WEB
Category:
Communication skills
Section and schedule:
51355 - Online
Professor:
Juan Custodio Quiles
Office/Phone:
CIT 243 (787) 891-0925, Ext. 2429
Office hours:
MW 10:30 12:00 pm
Virtual office hours:
Online: W: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
E-mail:
Course E-mail (Blackboard) (Main E-mail)
jcustodio@aguadilla.inter.edu (First alternate Use only in case of emergency)
jcustodiopr@gmail.com (Second alternate - Use
only in case of emergency if the first alternate
email is not available)
II.

Course Description
Analysis and discussion of literary works. Essay writing on topics
related to the readings. Emphasis on vocabulary acquisition in
context. Prerequisite: GEEN 2311. Required course.

III. Objectives:
It is expected that upon completing this course, the student will be able
to:
1. Discover how relating literature to personal experience may lead to
its understanding and enjoyment
2. Evaluate and argue, both orally and in writing, ideas encountered in
the reading

3. Analyze literature to foster the development of social and cultural

awareness
4. Recognize the importance of literature to the individual and to
society
IV. Course Content
Module 1 Literature and Writing
1.
2.
3.
B.

Defining literature
Responding actively to literature
Appreciating literature

Writing about literature

1.
2.

Responding to literature
Using reflective writing techniques to further explore
literature
Writing essays about issues discussed in literary works

3.

Module 2 - Genres
A. Fiction
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Plot and structure

Characters
Point of view
Setting and atmosphere
Responding to fiction
Conflicts

B. Poetry
a. Defining poetry
b. Interpreting poetry
c. Figures of speech and imagery
C. Drama and essays
a. Defining drama and essays
b. Writing about drama
c. Writing about essays
Module 3 - Analysis of Literary Works

Fiction:
The lesson
How Much Land Does a Man Need
The Lottery
Two Kinds
The Girls in their Summer Dresses
Poetry:
My Last Duchess
The Road Not Taken
Incident,
My Papas Waltz
We Wear The Mask
Essays:
Is Love an Art
Five Ways to Kill a Man
Can a Black Family be a Legal Nuisance
Drama:
Triffles
The Glass Menagerie
Exams:
1. Before starting the course, please access the BlackBoard tutorial that has
been prepared to facilitate your understanding of the platform.
http://www.aguadilla.inter.edu/adistancia/manuales/Manual-EstudianteEducacion-Distancia-ago2012.pdf
2. Your success in this class is closely related to your weekly visits to the
course, and your diligence in submitting your assignments and completing
all the requirements on time. You should access the course at least twice
a week (two class periods) to study the material. You will need additional
time to complete the assignments.
3. Each module contains the titles of the assigned reading selections.
Please read the selections and complete the activities as assigned. I
expect you to read the complete module as well as the assigned reading
selections, and to come to class regularly. Be sure to complete the
readings before participating in the discussion forums.
4. A complete calendar of activities is displayed in the next section. Please
pay attention to the assignments and activities due dates as well as the
exams schedule. .

6. The rubrics will be posted with assignments that so require.

7. Turning in a work that has been borrowed from any source will result in a
failing grade. Plagiarism will not be accepted. (Refer to Section VII of this
syllabus.)
8. Class participation. You are expected to participate in the discussion
and chat activities that will be posted for each module. Furthermore, class
participation also includes turning in your assignments on time. If you do
not know how to access the discussion forum or the chat room, please
refer to the blackboard manual (The link is displayed in #1). We will use
the Collaborate tool for discussion of class material.
9. Attendance. You are expected to access the course at least twice a week,
at your convenience to study the material. It is your sole responsibility to
access the course, study the module, and complete the assignments as
scheduled. The professor will be available to clarify any doubts you may
have.
10. Please submit your work as scheduled. Once the assignment room is
locked, you will not be able to turn in any assignment. By submitting
your work on time, you will avoid the unnecessary stress related to
procrastination. Guidelines will be posted with each assignment. Only
students who submit their work on time will have the opportunity to
correct them (if necessary) and submit them again. Please do not e-mail
your assignment, use the submit icon to send in your assignments.
11. There will be two exams in this course, one partial and one final. The
partial exam will be administered online. In this course, the partial exam
is proctored unless otherwise indicated by the professor. If you do not
live in Puerto Rico, you must select a proctor and submit his or her
information to the Distance Learning Coordinator for approval. Phone:
787-891-0925 ext. 2204, Fax: 788-891-0521. If you leave in the area, or
in Puerto Rico, you must go to one of the UIPR cyber centers, or to the
Campus Tutoring Center to complete your exams. You must present your
ID to the proctor before taking the exam. Material is not permitted in any
shape or form.
12. You may contact me at the phone number or the e-mails posted in the
General Information section of the syllabus. You may also stop by my
office during my office hours. If you choose to contact me by phone,
please do so during my regular office hours. I will also be online during
these office hours. Your emails will be answered in a timely fashion, at
least, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
13. In case of technical problem with the Blackboard Vista platform, please
submit your assignments and any request, using the first alternate e-mail.

The second one will be used if neither Blackboard nor the first alternate
email works.
14. Classroom environment. Please, during the discussion sessions
maintain a climate of respect toward each other. You have the right to
express your opinions, agree or disagree with your classmates and your
professor; however, this must be done respectfully.
15. Please read the instructions posted on the course site in the start here
and introduction sections.

Schedule:
This schedule may be altered in the event of unforeseen circumstances:

Modules and activities

Module One
Read the module before completing the activities. If you
have any questions, post them in Discussion Forum
under General Questions. I will do my best to answer
them promptly.
Module One. Literature and Writing
A) Readers Response: Reading selection: Euphoria
B) Ethical Criticism:
Year old

From the Diary of an Almost-Four-

Module Two
Literary genres
1.
2.
3.
4.

Fiction
Poetry
Essay
Drama

Assigned reading selections: one fiction story, one

poem, one essay.
Partial One Module One and Module Two(Count for
partial grade)
Assignments Modules one and two count for partial
grade. Proctored exam.
Module Three
Analysis of Literary Works
Fiction:
The lesson
How Much Land Does a Man Need
The Lottery
Two Kinds
The Girls in their Summer Dresses
Poetry:
My Last Duchess
The Road Not Taken
Incident,
My Papas Waltz
We Wear The Mask
Essays:
Is Love an Art
Five Ways to Kill a Man
Can a Black Family be a Legal Nuisance

V. Activities
Movies
Discussion and
chat
Web
searches
Creative
writing

Reading selections and essays that strengthen moral, social, and

Christian values in students.
VI. Evaluation
Module One

10%

Module Two

15

Module Three

40%

Partial exam

10

Final Exam

18%

Participation

7%

Total

100%

Assignments include, but are not limited to, written works, text analysis,
discussion activities and creative projects.
Participation includes: journal entries, class attendance, participation in chat
sessions, and participation in the discussion forums
Letter Grades
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 59 and lower
VII. Information of interest
Please read the following thoroughly:
Institutional Policies
1. Supporting Services or Special Needs. Students requiring additional
support services or special assistance must request these at the
beginning of the course, or as soon as the need occurs, through the

Coordinator of Supporting Services Office, with Mrs. Dary Acevedo

Gonzlez, Professional Counselor.
(Todo estudiante que requiera servicios auxiliares o asistencia especial
deber solicitar los mismos al inicio del semestre o tan pronto como
adquiera conocimiento de que los necesita, a travs del registro
correspondiente en la Oficina de la Coordinadora de Servicios a los
Estudiantes con Impedimentos con la Sra. Dary Acevedo Gonzlez,
Consejera Profesional.)
2. Plagiarism (General Student Regulations, Chapter V). The lack of
honesty, fraud, plagiarism and any other inadequate behavior in relation
to academic work constitute major infractions sanctioned by General
Student Regulations. Major infractions, according to General Student
Regulations may result in suspension from the University for a definite
period of time greater than one year or the permanent expulsion from
the University, among others sanctions.
(La falta de honradez, el fraude, el plagio y cualquier otro
comportamiento inadecuado con relacin a la labor acadmica
constituyen infracciones mayores sancionadas por el Reglamento
General de Estudiantes. Las infracciones mayores, segn dispone el
Reglamento General de Estudiantes pueden tener como consecuencia
la suspensin de la Universidad por un tiempo definido mayor de un
ao o la expulsin permanente de la Universidad, entre otras
sanciones.)
3. Cellular phones or any other electronic devices that could interrupt the
teaching/learning process or affect the classroom learning environment
must be turned off. Emergency situations will be dealt with on a one to
one basis. Electronic devices that facilitate access, storage, or data
transmission are prohibited during evaluation processes or exams.
(Utilizacin de dispositivos electrnicos Celular (mvil), telfonos y
cualquier otro dispositivo electrnico que podra interrumpir el proceso
enseanza-aprendizaje o interrumpir un medio favorable para la
excelencia acadmica se desactivar. Las situaciones crticas se
tratarn de manera adecuada. El uso de dispositivos electrnicos que
permiten el acceso, el almacenamiento o envo de datos durante las
pruebas o exmenes est prohibido.)
4. Beneficios de estudio por Veteranos. Toda institucin educativa
autorizada a matricular estudiantes con Beneficios de Estudios por
Veteranos est obligada a informar a la Administracin de Veteranos el
abandono o el dejar de participar en las actividades de un curso de
cada estudiante dentro de un perodo no mayor de 30 das calendarios
a partir de la fecha en que dej de participar de las actividades
acadmicas.

VII. Educational Materials

Textbook:
Abcarian, R. & Klotz, M. (2007). Shorter Ninth Edition. Literature.
The human experience. Reading and writing. New York: Bedford/St.
Martins. (Available through virtual bookstores, used or new books)
Technological resources
World Wide Web (Links are provided within each module)
Power Point presentations
Discovery education
Films on Demands
www.youtube.com
Bibliography
Bloom, H. (2011). Tim O'Brien's The things they carried [electronic resource]
Bloom, Harold. NETLIB
Eder, J. (2010). Characters in fictional worlds [electronic resource] :
understanding imaginary beings in literature, film, and other media.
EBRARY. Eder, Jens.
Full Circle Entertainment. (2007). Understanding literature. The elements of
drama. [Videorecording]. Audiovisual collection. PN3354.U5.3 2007
Matterson, S. (2011). Studying poetry [electronic resource]. London:
Bloomsbury Academic. EBRARY
Norton, W. W. (2011). The Norton anthology of Latino literature. NY: W.W.
Norton & Co. PS508 .H57 N65 2011
Newcomb, J. T. (2012). How did poetry survive? [electronic resource] : the
making of modern American verse. Illinois: University of Illinois Press.
Roberts, E. V. (2012. ) Literature : an introduction to reading and writing. Boston:
L Longman. PN45 .R5752 2012
Tredinnick, M. (2008). Writing well: The essential guide. NETLIBRARY
Collection.

Woloch, A. (2004). The one vs. the many [electronic resource] : minor
characters and the space of the protagonist in the novel. NY: Princeton
University Press. EBRARY

Literature is where I go to explore the highest and lowest places in human

society and in the human spirit, where I hope to find not absolute truth but the
truth of the tale, of the imagination and of the heart. Salman Rushdie quotes
(Indian born British Writer, b.1947)