CODE: ENGL 206

TITLE: Approaches to Literary Studies

DIVISION: ENGLISH/READING DEPARTMENT: ENGLISH

COURSE DESCRIPTION: APPROACHES TO LITERARY STUDIES is a foundational course that

prepares the student in the English Option for transition to upper level study as an English
Major. The course introduces the student to the principles of literary study and performance
by engaging and considering the major debates and issues in the discipline; approaches to
the elements and conventions of genre; and a survey of literary theoretical perspectives and
their critical applications. Students will develop the skills and practice necessary to perform
informed analyses in reading, research and writing expected of an undergraduate in the
discipline of English.

PREREQUISITES OR COREQUISITE: ENGL 122

CREDITS: 3 LECTURE CREDITS: 3 LAB CREDITS: 0

LAB HOURS: 0

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Textbooks and supplies to be determined by the individual instructor.

Suggested textbooks include:

Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. New York: Thomson-Wadsworth, 2005.

Bressler, Charles E. Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. New York:
Prentice Hall, 2006.

Kelemen, Erick. Textual Editing and Criticism: An Introduction. New York: Norton, 2008.

Patke, Rajeev S. Postcolonial Poetry in English. Oxford Studies in Postcolonial Literatures

In English. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2006.

Shakespeare, William. The Tempest. Eds. Peter Hulme, and William H. Sherman. Norton
Critical Edition. New York: Norton, 2003.

Shange, Ntozake. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.
New York: Scribner, 1997.

Sterne, Laurence. Tristram Shandy. Ed. Howard Anderson. Norton Critical Edition. New York:
Norton, 1979.

Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelly. Frankenstein. Ed. Paul J. Hunter. Norton Critical Edition. New
York: Norton, 1995.

INTENDED COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES/COURSE GOALS (CORE COMPETENCIES):

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• to become familiar with the essential conventions and elements of various literary
genres and demonstrate the ability to discuss and analyze representative texts
across genres and according to their particular conventions and expectations.
(Core Competencies: Communication; Information Literacy; Critical Thinking)

• to develop, synthesize and employ the vocabulary and methodologies of the

major critical approaches to literature, including but not limited to close reading
and textual analysis, as well as representative critical methodologies such as
New Historicism, Feminist, Cultural Materialism, Post Colonial, and other
contemporary theoretical approaches within the current literary scholarship.
(Core Competencies: Communication; Information Literacy; Critical Thinking;
Historical/Societal Analysis)

• to develop and demonstrate required research methods and skills in English

studies by working with various databases and library resources, accessing,
assessing and synthesizing significant primary and secondary sources, and
working with required bibliographic standards and guidelines in the Humanities,
such as MLA. (Core Competencies: Information Literacy; Technological Literacy)

• to critically consider and assess the major issues, debates and trajectories of
English as a discipline and practice. (Core Competencies: Communication;
Critical Thinking; Information Literacy; Historical/Societal Analysis)

• to write successful research papers of varying lengths on genres, topics, and

issues relevant to the scope of the course. (Core Competencies: Communication;
Critical Thinking; Information Literacy; Historical/Societal Analysis)

GRADING STANDARD:
To successfully complete the course, all students must meet the objectives of the
intended learning outcomes stipulated above. Grading in the course is based on a
cumulative point-based value scale determined by performance on assignments and
course benchmarks. Grading procedures and standards are based on the stated
outcomes of the course.

Cumulative Grading Scale:

A 360 - 400
B+ 345 - 359
B 320 - 344
C+ 305 - 319
C 280 - 304
D 240 - 279
F 0 - 239
Course Assignments and Points Value:

Assessment in the course will be based on following standard course requirements and
assignments. Journals, papers, projects, online discussions and essay exams will
reflect the diversity of written performances expected in literary studies, from shorter
informal pieces to longer, research based essays. Specific requirements, including page
lengths, deadlines, and descriptions are to be provided in the individual instructor’s
addendum and course schedule.

Journal Responses: 100pts

 Weekly Journal Responses: 75pts

 Mid & Final Journal Self-Assessments: 25pts

Research Papers & Projects: 150pts

 Research Project & Paper One (Genre): Poetry and the O.E.D Online: 30pts
 Research Project & Paper Two (Genre): Prose and Primary Sources: 30pts
 Research Project & Paper Three (Theory): Major Texts and Contributions: 30pts
 Final Research Project & Paper (Praxis): Genre/Theory: 60pts

Participation: Individual, Group & Online Discussions: 50pts

 In-class Individual and Group Discussions & Presentations: 25pts

 Online Individual & Team Discussions: 25pts

Mid-Term & Final Exam: 100pts

 Take Home Mid-Term Essay Exam: 50pts

 In-Class Final Essay Exam: 50pts

DEPARTMENT POLICIES:

Attendance & Participation: We believe that learning through writing best occurs
when students complete assignments in sequence and submit them on time. We expect
students to be present when a class is scheduled to begin, assignment in hand, ready
to participate in the day's work.

Students who have to miss a class because of an emergency must speak to their
instructor in time to attend the following class fully prepared and up-to-date.

Individual instructors have additional attendance requirements. It is the student's

responsibility to be aware of these requirements.
Plagiarism: A student has an obligation to exhibit honesty and high ethical standards in
carrying out academic assignments. Submitting the work of another person in a manner
that represents the work as one's own constitutes plagiarism.

NOTE: Refer to Answers Student Handbook for Brookdale's Academic Integrity Code,
Student Conduct Code and Student Grade Appeal Process.

Computers: Computers may be used to help facilitate the writing process, exams, or
research required for the course. Intentional misuse or mistreatment is strictly
forbidden. Please see your instructor for all technical assistance.

COLLEGE POLICIES:

For information regarding:

o Brookdale’s Academic Integrity Code

o Student Conduct Code
o Student Grade Appeal Process

Please refer to the STUDENT HANDBOOK AND BCC CATALOG.

NOTIFICATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

Brookdale Community College offers reasonable accommodations and/or services to

persons with disabilities. Students with disabilities who wish to self-identify must
contact the Disabilities Services Office at 732-224-2730 or 732-842-4211 (TTY), provide
appropriate documentation of the disability, and request specific accommodations or
services. If a student qualifies, reasonable accommodations and/or services, which are
appropriate for the college level and are recommended in the documentation, can be
approved.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT/LABS:

Department Secretary - (732) 224-2513

Office location: East Wing of Larrison Hall - LAH 222.
Hours: 8:30 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.

Bankier Library

Students will find Bankier Library an essential and vital component to their experience in
the course. For more information on hours of operation, please visit:

http://ux.brookdalecc.edu/library/library_hours.php or call: (732) 224-2706.

The English Subject Specialist Librarian at Bankier Library is Professor Karen Topham:
ktopham@brookdalecc.edu or (732) 224-2479
The Writing Center - The Writing Center offers additional assistance to improve your
writing. A half-hour appointment in the Writing Center assures you of one-on-one time
with a learning assistant. They can work with you at any stage of the writing process,
whether you've just started a paper or when you've already finished a draft and are
ready to revise. You will make an appointment in the Writing Center whenever your
The Writing Center is located in Larrison Hall, Room 118. Phone: (732) 224-2941.

Writing Center Hours - Monday – Thursday 9:00 - 8:00; Friday 9:00 - 5:00;
Saturday 10:00 - 2:00 (No summer Saturday hours)

Writing Center assistance is also available at the following extension sites – call
for Center hours:

Asbury Park (732) 774-3363

Bayshore (732) 224-2725
Long Branch (732) 224-2757
Western Monmouth (732) 224-2713

Writing Center Appointments

Writing students must use TutorTrac to schedule and cancel Writing Center
appointments. TutorTrac is the Web-based appointment scheduling, tracking, and
reporting software used by the Brookdale Community College Writing Centers (Lincroft,
Asbury Park, Bayshore, Long Branch, Western Monmouth-Freehold).

To schedule or cancel a Writing Center appointment, go online using any Internet

browser (Explorer must be version 5.5 or higher) and type in the following Web address
to go to the TutorTrac login screen: http://tutortrac.brookdalecc.edu

Enter User Name: Your first initial followed by your last name (no spaces, all
lowercase).

Enter Password: The last 6-digits only of your Brookdale Community College ID
number (located on your student ID card and the upper left corner of your class
schedule).

Detailed TutorTrac instructions are available in the Writing Centers and on the English
Department Web page.