ENGL 2308
Introduction to Nonfiction:
Contemporary American Memoir
Introduction to Nonfiction:
Contemporary American Memoir
This course introduces students to memoir as a sub-genre of the expansive genre we call creative nonfiction. Class discussions and assignments will focus on the literary qualities of each required text and will explore topics specific to memoir and other nonfiction forms. This course is designed to develop students’ critical faculties, to help them become better readers, and to advance their abilities to discuss, assess, and write about literature.
REQUIRED TEXTS
No e-books, please.
No e-books, please.
If You Knew Then
What I Know Now Ryan Van Meter ISBN: 978-1932511949 |
Another Bullshit Night
in Suck City Nick Flynn ISBN: 978-1573225434 |
Stitches: A Memoir
David Small ISBN: 978-0393338966 |
Lying: A Metaphorical Memoir
Lauren Slater ISBN: 978-0142000069 |
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Reading assignments:
Come to class prepared to discuss the assigned reading. You will be expected to answer questions and discuss each piece of writing thoughtfully. If class discussions suffer from lack of class participation, reading quizzes will be given often. Quizzes, as well as questions asked in class, will not be designed to trick or stump you, but rather to enhance your understanding and critical reading of the writing. Read closely. Take notes. Underline anything that interests you—a line of dialogue, a particular description or turn of phrase, a beautiful sentence, something you don't understand, etc.—anything that takes your attention. (And be sure to note why it takes your attention.)
In-class reading and discussion:
In class, we will read (aloud) excerpts from the assigned reading and other materials, and perhaps even some student writing. We will do this every day. Everyone will be expected to participate in the reading, as well as the discussion. Most important to our discussions will be your understanding of a work of literature's form, structure, and content: How a story is told, the way in which it's told, and what it is telling.
Writing assignments:
Students will turn in four short analytical essays (3 pages in length) and one final short-answer exam during the term. All work will be formatted like so:
• One-inch margins all around
• Double-spaced throughout
• Paragraphs indented
• Your name, title of the course, and date in upper left-hand corner of first page
• Last name and page number in upper right-hand corner of each page (except for the first page)
• MLA Style
• Double-spaced throughout
• Paragraphs indented
• Your name, title of the course, and date in upper left-hand corner of first page
• Last name and page number in upper right-hand corner of each page (except for the first page)
• MLA Style
Your writing should be competently composed—i.e., demonstrate an understanding of basic grammar, spelling, and punctuation—and show a good-faith effort on your part in order to be considering passing. Remember, people make important decisions about you based on the way your present yourself on the page. Any writing you hand me that is not up to snuff will be returned, and I will simply ask you to redo it. Essays that fall short of passing can be rewritten to bring them up to standard. No student who turns in a failing essay and then refuses to revise it will pass the course—no matter how high their grades might be on other assignments. This is not negotiable.
I strongly advise you to keep electronic and hard copies of all the work you do for this class. At the end of the semester, if a piece of your writing is not in my files, gone is gone.
And trust me: The more you write, the better your writing gets. I highly recommend you keep a notebook specifically for this class. Your journal is where you take notes and work out your ideas as they come, unfiltered, unedited. It is nice to have it all in one place.
Plagiarism: You are expected to do your own work, period. Plagiarism includes (but is not limited to) accepting unacknowledged written assistance (ghostwriting), downloading or cutting/pasting from the Internet, or otherwise representing someone else's work as your own. I promise you that any instance of plagiarism will be dealt with immediately and severely.
Departmental readings:
Students should attend at least three department readings by distinguished visiting writers. These readings usually take place on Thursday evenings at 7:30 in the basement of the English building (Room 001). You will have a few other opportunities to witness professional writers performing their craft. As students of literature, it is important that we learn as much as we can from practicing writers to inform our reading of other works. Readings are FREE and should last less than an hour. If, for some reason, you cannot attend these readings, you might consider dropping this course and switching to another section.
GRADES
Writing Assignment #1 10%
Writing Assignment #2 10%
Writing Assignment #3 15%
Writing Assignment #4 15%
Attendance 15%
Participation & quizzes 15%
Final exam (short-answer essay test) 20%
Writing Assignment #2 10%
Writing Assignment #3 15%
Writing Assignment #4 15%
Attendance 15%
Participation & quizzes 15%
Final exam (short-answer essay test) 20%
Grading scale:
A+ 97-100, A 94-96, A- 90-93
|
Excellent, publishable work
|
B+ 87-89, B 84-85, B- 80-83 |
Above average, goes above and beyond |
C+ 77-79, C 74-76, C- 70-73
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Average, meets all requirements
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D+ 67-69, D 63-66, F 62 & lower
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Fails to meet requirements, needs serious revisions
|
Submission of work:
Students must submit a hard copy of each assignment in class on the day it is due. I cannot guarantee receipt of assignments submitted in any other manner (email, slipped under my office door, in my department mailbox, etc.).
Late work:
Work turned in after the class period it is due will be penalized according to the following:
• After class, same day = minus whole letter grade (ten points off per day: 92 becomes 82, etc.).
• Each subsequent day late results in one letter grade deduction (additional ten points off per day).
• Three or more days late = a grade of F*
*Students must turn in all assignments, regardless of late penalties, in order to pass the class.
• After class, same day = minus whole letter grade (ten points off per day: 92 becomes 82, etc.).
• Each subsequent day late results in one letter grade deduction (additional ten points off per day).
• Three or more days late = a grade of F*
*Students must turn in all assignments, regardless of late penalties, in order to pass the class.
You are responsible for tracking your grades! If you do not show interest or concern for your progress, I will assume you are content with your performance.
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance:
Your attendance in class is crucial and therefore required. To say it plainly, there is no such thing as an excused absence. However, because of the ordinary horrors of everyday life, I will not remark upon three absences, though any more than three will severely affect your grade downward. So, please cherish your three free absences. This policy is not negotiable.
Being "present" in class means that you are here, you are paying attention, and you are prepared.
Being "present" in class means that you are here, you are paying attention, and you are prepared.
An absence is not an excuse to turn in assignments late.
You are responsible for knowing when / if you've used your three absences.
After your three free absences, every additional absence results in a 5% deduction from the final grade. Any student who misses more than SIX classes will receive an automatic F in the class.
Cell phones:
Please turn off your cell phones before class. DO NOT set them to vibrate. If your are expecting a call that you must answer, please notify prior to the beginning of class. If you are caught texting at any time, I will mark you absent.
Laptops and tablets:
Any laptop use in class must be registered first with Student Disability Services. Otherwise, laptops, as well as tablets, are not allowed in class.
Email:
• Please include your section number and full name in the subject line of your email.
• I will not respond to emails that are written in "text speak" or use inappropriate language.
• I answer email during my office hours, so expect at least 24 hours before you receive a response.
• Do not send subsequent emails before you receive my first response.
• I will not respond to emails that are written in "text speak" or use inappropriate language.
• I answer email during my office hours, so expect at least 24 hours before you receive a response.
• Do not send subsequent emails before you receive my first response.
Before you email me with a question, please consult the following:
• this syllabus
• a classmate
• this syllabus
• a classmate
Accommodation of disability:
The Americans with Disabilities Act provides civil rights protections for persons with disabilities. If you believe you have a disability that requires accommodation, contact Student Disability Services. Every effort will be made by me, the Department of English, and the university to provide you with whatever you might require.