Early
Modern Literature: Spirituality and Sexuality
Spring
2006 Dr. Margaret Hannay
TEXTS
Longman Anthology of British Literature,
Volume IB
Bunyan,
Pilgrim's Progress
Othello and Mariam
(Longman)
REQUIREMENTS
Journal Entries: In
order to help you master these challenging readings, you will 14 journals, each
1-2 pages in length. Journals are an
important learning technique as you approach material that may seem difficult
or unfamiliar at first. (See attached
sheet for details.) Journals, and the
discussions based on them, will count 25% of your final grade.
Class participation:
Participation begins with preparing for class by doing the assigned
readings and formulating questions and comments. Always come to class prepared to summarize
the assignment, to connect it with the other material that we are reading, and
to ask questions about the author's ideas and arguments. Students will be encouraged to share ideas
from their journals with the class.
Prospectus for literary analysis paper:
In order to help with your research, you will be required to write a
description of your paper topic and to give an annotated bibliography listing 7
recent books, book chapters, or scholarly articles on your topic. Students are expected to use the MLA on-line
bibliography.
Literary analysis paper:
In order to practice techniques of literary analysis, you will be
required to write a 10 page paper analyzing one or two works on your reading
list, following the MLA format for parenthetic documentation and list of works
cited as outlined in Hacker, A Pocket
Style Manual. Topics will be chosen in consultation with the
instructor. No duplicate topics will be
permitted, so reserve your topic early.
Students are encouraged to begin their research early, to consult with
the instructor, to visit the
Exams: In order to
demonstrate your mastery of the material, you will have one mid-term and one
final exam. Each exam will include short
answer questions and a substantive essay; essay topics will be distributed in
advance.
Renaissance Women Online report. Each student will
choose one unfamiliar author from this website.
Give a brief (5 minute) oral report to the class and distribute a
one-page handout to the class. Emphasize
questions of spirituality and sexuality.
Look for comparisons and contrasts with works we are reading for class.
How did they construct their idea of the self?
How do spirituality and/or sexuality help to form that sense of
selfhood? How do the two areas of
spirituality and sexuality intersect, complement each other, or come into
conflict?
GOALS
Content
·
To
master significant early modern texts.
·
To
consider various critical approaches to literature
·
To
discover connections between popular literature of the seventeenth and twenty-first
centuries by focusing on questions of spirituality and sexuality.
Skills
·
To
practice critical thought and analysis of texts
·
To
practice oral and written communication
·
To
practice research techniques
Attendance:
Class instruction and participation are vital components of the
course. Obviously, the more classes you
miss, the more difficult the work will become and the less you will gain from
taking the course. Because life outside
the classroom is complex, if you need them you may take up to 2 absences (one
week) without external penalty. After
that, each absence lowers your final grade 2 points. Note that coming late counts as an absence.
Any
student who must miss more than these two classes for other college-sponsored
commitments (athletics, class trips, etc.) should see me at the beginning of
the semester to figure out a plan to make up the missed work. Whether you are
present or not you are still responsible for all work done in class, including
group projects, and for any work that was assigned while you were absent. It is your responsibility to obtain notes and
assignments from another student; then I will be happy to answer any additional
questions that you may have on the material.
Make-up tests will be given only in the most extreme cases, such as
acute illness or family tragedy.
Of
course extra consideration will be given in case of emergency, such as
prolonged illness or death in the family. Students who wish extra consideration
for prolonged absence (more than a week) should contact the office of the
Vice-President for Academic Affairs. In
the case of a death in the family, please also notify Campus Ministry; wake and
funeral times will be posted, and you will receive help and sympathy from
faculty and fellow students
Classroom etiquette:
Be courteous to other students. Arrive on time. Turn off all phones and
other electronic devices before class. Do not eat during class. Use restrooms
before class. If you need to leave you
may certainly do so, but please take your books and do not interrupt the class
again by coming back during that period.
Late Papers: Papers are due at the beginning of
class. Late papers will be accepted until the last day of class, but will be
marked down one-half letter grade for each class day late (B+ to B, for
example). If there is any problem in
submitting a paper on the due date, turn it in early.
Grading: Your midterm exam and final exam each count 25%; journals/
class discussion/ article report count 25%; literary analysis paper counts 25%.
Letter Grade Equivalents
|
A+ 98 |
A 95 |
A- 92 |
|
B+ 88 |
B 85 |
B- 82 |
|
C+ 78 |
C 75 |
C- 72 |
|
D+ 68 |
D 65 |
D- 62 |
Academic Integrity: Academic inquiry depends on
intellectual integrity. Students are expected
to work diligently to the best of their ability, to do their own research and
writing, to avoid cheating on exams and plagiarism on papers. Cooperation among class members is encouraged
in the form of study groups--but when you walk into an exam, you are each on
your own. Note that plagiarism means stealing
someone else's words or ideas and lying
to say they are your own. The difference
between research and plagiarism is the acknowledgment of the other person's
words and/ or ideas in the text, notes, and bibliography.
Scholarship
cannot thrive in an atmosphere of suspicion.
I will assume that you are a person of moral integrity. If instances of cheating or plagiarism do
come to light, however, you will fail this course and be subject to other penalties
as set forth in the Academic Integrity Siena College
Catalog Statement and in the attached English Department Policy on
Academic Integrity. (Please note that any downloaded paper or journal or
portion thereof means an automatic F in the course.)
Students with disabilities: If you have a disability and require
accommodation, please contact me early in the semester so that your learning
needs may be appropriately met. You should also contact the Office of Services
for Students with Disabilities (Foy Hall, Rom 109, 783-4239.)