COURSE AIMS AND EXPECTATIONS

The general subject of this seminar is “Composing the Self.” Works studied will include selections of fiction, drama, and philosophy. Additional material may be included on a handout basis. There will also be one class session each week (the extra hour) devoted to a discussion of current events and world culture, based on our reading of The New York Times. Reading and writing assignments will be given on a class-by-class basis. I have found that a seminar format requires flexibility rather than strict adherence to a set plan. So be prepared to be flexible.

1. General participation and attendance (10%). Students are expected to attend every class and actively contribute to discussion. There are no unexcused absences; attendance will be taken at all classes, and the instructor should be notified by e-mail or telephone or in writing if an absence is unavoidable.

Class contribution takes several forms. Students may ask questions at any point during a class; students and teacher may engage in question-and-answer dialogue; the class as a whole may engage in open discussion, sharing ideas and attempting as a group to deepen our understanding of the material. Students should work at participating effectively in all these formats. Class participation will be evaluated on the basis of evidence of preparation and thoughtfulness about the material. The most important criterion, in my view, is whether one’s contribution to class discussion contributes to the learning of others, including myself. I especially encourage students to share their opinions and to back them up. I like vigorous and civilized discussion.

Several outside events will be scheduled. Attendance will be required, and there will be advance notice as to time and place. More about these events in class.

2. Oral presentations (10%) will be made to the class of selected material. These presentations will involve a debate and discussion format (Aristotle) and character point-of-view exercises (Salinger). These presentations will be graded on the basis of understanding of the material, insight, and effective organization.

3. Written work. Papers (70%). Several critical papers will be assigned on themes and topics to be discussed; one of these papers (the final one, due on the class final exam day) will be a major piece of work between 8-10 pages in length and will involve scholarly research using at least two off-line sources. These papers are to be well organized and thoroughly proofread.

The format of the first sample student paper in The Little, Brown Handbook in the chapter entitled “Two Research Papers in the MLA Style,” is to be followed; bibliographic and “Works Cited” formats are to be found in the chapter entitled “Using MLA Documentation and Format.” Any paper that has not been spell-checked or does not follow format guidelines will receive an automatic “F.” All corrections and editorial changes indicated by the instructor must be made before the next paper is submitted, otherwise the grade on the following paper will be "F." No exceptions.

All papers submitted for a grade must be kept in a plain tab folder in which each assignment will be placed and handed in with new work. For example, when the second paper is submitted, it must be accompanied in a plain tab folder by the first paper, along with all previous graded work.  All papers are due at the start of class from the author on the specified due date; papers not handed in on time will be penalized one letter grade per day.

4. Other work (10%) will include logs (as assigned) of readings in The New York Times. This work will be collected once a week at the start of the fourth hour, read, graded, and returned. This work will consist of well-written one-paragraph summaries of articles chosen from various sections (options will vary through the semester) of the New York Times.

In addition, from time to time there may be factual quizzes (announced in advance) on reading assignments and material covered in class. It is important that students take careful notes during class discussion.