ENG 272 G

Themes in Literature: Myths, Dreams, and Symbols (3)

(WI).3 hours lecture per week Prerequisite(s): ENG 100, ENG 160, or ESL 100.

I have a mailbox within Kalia 101 (the Kalia Main Office)--You may place important materials such as quizzes or assignments in this mailbox. The mailbox is listed under Kubota. There is also a Quaker oatmeal box in front of my office; you may pick up missed handouts/drop off materials there. I am NOT responsible for getting these handouts to you, so pick them up when you get the opportunity to do so. If you need old materials, I'd be happy to Xerox them for you--just ask.

ENG 272G Literature and Culture: Myths, Dreams, and Symbols

ENG 272G explores the major archetypal patterns across cultures that appear in literature such as patterns that relate to character: the earth mother, the temptress, the scapegoat, the double, the outcast, the wise fool; and patterns that relate to actions and themes: initiation, the quest, death and rebirth, transformation, and the return to the womb.

COURSE COMPETENCIES:

Official: In addition to the general ENG 272 (Alpha) competencies, upon successful completion of ENG 272 G, the student should be able to:

* Analyze a work of literature as a reflection of its cultural milieu and compare that milieu with one’s own.

* Identify and use literary terms to analyze literary works.

* Identify major themes in a work of literature, explore their implications, and identify their basic assumptions.

* Analyze structure; explain how form contributes to meaning.

* Evaluate the artistic merits of literary works and the artistic achievements of writers.

* Use literary evidence to support interpretations and ideas regarding literary works.

* Produce clear and effective written responses to literature.

* Describe the cultural diversity of world views expressed in literary works.

COURSE-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
• Identify some of the major archetypal patterns in literature.
• Relate the significance of archetypal patterns in literature to their cultural contexts.
• Write papers on different literary problems related to archetypal patterns in literature.

Teacher's Objectives/Competencies (Unofficial):

WI (Writing-Intensive Focus)

This section is Writing Intensive and fulfills the WI component. In order to pass this course and earn the writing intensive credit, you must complete a minimum of 4000 words (approximately 16 pages) of writing for the course and you must use the writing process by submitting rough drafts of your major papers, giving feedback to your classmates about their papers, and getting feedback about your own papers to revise your rough drafts to improve your paper for your final draft.
Hallmarks of Writing Intensive Classes
1. The class uses writing to promote the learning of course materials.
2. The class provides interaction between the instructor and students while students do assigned writing.
3. Written assignments contribute significantly to each student’s course grade.
4. The class requires students to do a substantial amount of writing—a minimum of 4,000 words, or about 16 pages.
5. To allow for meaningful professor-student interaction on each student’s writing, the class is restricted to 20 students.

Recommended Texts and Materials:

The Kapi'olani Computer Labs are available for your use, but the schedule of open lab times may be limited. You will also need an active email account in case I may need to contact you or if you need to download materials / save materials off of my website and send me questions, etc.

You will complete three (3) major Writing Projects (4-6 pages each), worth 60 percent of your grade; You will also complete a take-home final writing project, which serves as a wrap-up project for the semester (15%). You are expected to work on HOMEWORK and on any In-class exercises / supplemental exercises that I assign you (25%). Extra credit in my class varies; I can give anywhere from 1 to 10 percentage points based on the quality of such assignments. This course emphasizes the process of writing. For all major assignments, you will submit a draft of your essay which I will review along with your peers. You will be graded only on the revised versions of your projects. (e.g. the final draft). You should ALWAYS make your best effort to submit drafts and to get peer and instructor-based feedback on those drafts.

Grading

1. Writing Project I (Character) 20% 4-6 pages

2. Writing Project II (Concept) 20% 4-6 pages

3. Writing Project III (Action and Themes) 20% 4-6 pages

4. Final Writing Project IV (Wrap-Up) 15 % 4-6 pages

5. Participation, Reading Responses, In-class Responses 25%

6. Extra credit (only applies to grades in #5)

Please remember: You must complete ALL MAJOR ESSAYS (#'s 1 through 4) to pass this course; you cannot do two essays and neglect to do the others.

It is possible, in this class, to earn more than the allotted 106 percent out of a 100. In semesters past, I have had students who earned a 120% out of a 100; not only were their essays EXCELLENT, but they had EXCELLENT attendance and PARTICIPATION grades.

List of Penalties:

Please Note: Lack of attendance will likely affect your overall grade.

List of Bonuses:

Course Policies:

Attendance: You are expected to attend this class regularly and on time. If circumstances arise that make it difficult for you to come to class or to complete your assigned work, please inform me immediately. Don't wait until the end of the semester, when it will be harder to make accommodations. Please bring an original, signed, and dated note from your physician when requesting an excused absence...All in all, I prefer it that students attend class even if they are unable to do an assignment due on that day; it takes up my time and other students' time to explain what's been going on when you've missed class.

You will be allowed to make revisions on essays that are late, but full late and permanent penalties will be applied to those essays; CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM almost always affects your essay grade, so please TALK TO ME, if you're having trouble keeping up in the class. Permanent penalties will be applied to essays that are exceptionally late.

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Revisions

Rewriting plays a central role in this class. If you are not satisfied with the grade that I give you for a major assignment, I will allow you to revise that assignment, two times, provided that 1) you meet with me for a mandatory consultation on how to improve that paper; 2) your attendance and punctuality are your strong suits. 3) the paper is turned in on time; I will give you the HIGHER of the two grades, rather than averaging them together, so it is to your benefit to take advantage of my revision policy.

You will have a chance to meet with me after writing your first essay, so that you 1) feel comfortable with talking with me; 2) become more aware of how instructors make comments / grade assignments; 3) get to know me better. This meeting is highly recommended and is worth an additional 1 percent towards your grade.

Scholastic Dishonesty

The University of Hawai'i regulations strictly forbid plagiarism and collusion. Submitting someone else's work as your own, arranging for someone else to do your writing for you (ghost-writing), incorrectly paraphrasing, directly plagiarizing as your own, improperly citing online or paper-based textual resources, or purchasing or copying existing papers will earn you a failing grade for the assignment and may result in a failing grade in the class. Please review your current Schedule of Classes section on plagiarism and ask about any issues that you do not understand. In addition, I expect you to adhere to UH's Interim Policy for Responsible Computing and Network Access and the Critique Lab Policies.

Student Conduct

Please refer to the K.C.C. General Catalog and be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. Copies of this Student Conduct Code are also available at the Office of the Dean of Student Services. Disruptive Behavior as defined by KCC will not be tolerated. I also feel that cell phones constitute a disruption to the course, so please ensure that your cell phones are turned off prior to entering the classroom. Food and drink are not allowed near computers, so please consume them prior to class if you have class in a lab environment.

Professionalism

Being professional in the college environment means being responsible for your education. Tardiness and chronic absenteeism are not signs of professionalism; after all, if you were consistently tardy or absent from work, your employment would be terminated. Please keep in mind that poor attendance and punctuality affect your performance in this class. I reserve the right NOT to allow you to revise work if you are consistently absent and/or tardy to this class. I feel that your BEING in class and BEHAVING in a professional manner will ultimately assist you in being a better writer; hence, your attendance and punctuality seem logical, if not crucial.

Extra Help

I have dedicated several hours during each week and EACH weekday towards helping you. Many college students feel that it is awkward or unnecessary to seek help from an instructor, especially at the university level. Nevertheless, speaking from my own experience, directly consulting the instructor on the instructor's expectations on certain assignments, or simply "talking story" with the teacher has been invaluable towards my education. If you have the attitude that "Seeing my teacher is nothing really to be ashamed about," then I think you have a good attitude towards getting the BEST out of your education. I am available during office hours or by appointment to answer any questions you may have regarding the course work. Please try to see me when you are having difficulties rather than "suffering in silence." And remember, sometimes getting information from "the grapevine" and relying on "word of mouth" is not as good as getting it from the "horse's mouth."

Extra Credit

I typically give extra credit points to those students who attend school-sponsored events, such as a lecture, performance, or concert. Please keep in mind that extra credit will not have a significant impact on a failing grade. To receive such extra credit, a one to two page write up of the event, including a summary and an opinion of the event must be submitted. Students, as a whole, do not enjoy publishing their work. They are "shame" about their work, thinking that it isn't good enough, or that it constitutes an embarrassing expose about their lives. I encourage student publication and rewards students 'just for trying.' If you simply apply to have your work published, I will reward you with extra credit for each of your papers. It goes without saying that you should do your best to work with me and others to ensure that your paper is ready for publication; as such, I encourage you to see me for help on how to revise your essays.

Special Student Services:

Extended time in a distraction-free environment is an appropriate accommodation based on a student's disability. If you do have a disability and have not disclosed the nature of your disability and the support you need, you are invited to contact the Special Student Services Office, 734-9552, ‘Ilima 105.

These and all other course materials are available in alternative formats.

UH Policy on email communication

The electronic communications policy adopted in December 2005 establishes the University of Hawai'i Internet service as an official medium for communication among students, faculty, and staff. Every member of the system has a hawaii.edu address, and the associated username and password provide access to essential Web announcements and email. You are hereby informed of the need to regularly log in to UH email and Web services for announcements and personal mail. Failing to do so will mean missing critical information from academic and program advisors, instructors, registration and business office staff, classmates, student organizations, and others.