ENGL 1105 Introduction to Literature
Course Description: Studies the elements, forms, and content of fiction, drama, and poetry. This course aims to introduce students to various genres of literature, with an emphasis on reading strategies and reading analysis. Assignments include readings, literary reflections, and a research-based literary presentation. Prerequisite: STSK 0095 or placement by multiple measures. 3 credits
Fulfills the following Minnesota Transfer Curriculum areas:
Goal 6: The Humanities and Fine Arts
1. Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
2. Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within a historical and social context.
3. Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
5. Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
Goal 7: Human Diversity
1. Understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States' history and culture.
2. Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society.
3. Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry. Topics to be Covered Literary Elements: Plot, characterization, theme, point of view, symbolism, narration, and tone.
Critical Reading Strategies:
Formalist, Biographical, Psychological, Historical, Cultural, Gender, Mythological, Reader-Response, and Deconstructionist Literary analysis and research skills
Student Learning Outcomes:
Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities, which includes but is not limited to reading a variety of texts from authors of different cultural backgrounds, genders, and time periods.
Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within a historical and social context. This includes but is not limited to
Responding to a variety of texts from authors of different cultural backgrounds, genders, and time periods.
Viewing class lectures that discuss the assigned literary readings.
Reading and researching the historical and cultural context of a work.
Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities, which includes but is not limited to writing several literary response papers.
Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities, which includes but is not limited to responding to a variety of texts from authors of different cultural backgrounds, genders, and time periods.
Understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States' history and culture. This includes but is not limited to
Responding to a variety of texts from authors of different cultural backgrounds, genders, and time periods.
Reading and researching the historical and cultural context of a work.
Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society, which includes but is not limited to applying critical reading strategies to a work in order to analyze it.
Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry. This includes but is not limited to
Responding to a variety of texts from authors of different cultural backgrounds, genders, and time periods.
Responding to peer responses based on the same readings.
Gather factual information and apply it to a given problem in a manner that is relevant, clear, comprehensive, and conscious of possible bias in the information selected. This includes but is not limited to applying critical reading strategies to literature in order to analyze it.
This course is part of a transfer pathway because it meets the following competencies in Area 1: An Introduction to Literary Studies Course
1. Perform close analysis of literature at an introductory level
2. Demonstrate knowledge of major critical frameworks at an introductory level
3. Employ major critical frameworks to analyze literature at an introductory level
4. Incorporate and document secondary sources at an introductory level
VIRTUAL LEARNING DAY INFORMATION:
All class activities and assignments are posted daily at our Google Classroom page. Expectations for VL days will be shared with students.
On Virtual Learning days, the assigned work will be posted by 10:00 a.m. Unless noted otherwise, the work should be completed by class time the following day. In all cases, students must "check in" or they will be counted absent. Email me if you have problems "checking in."
Starting in 2023-2024, I will open a Google Meet from 10:15 to 11:15 am as an "office hour" during which time you may join the Meet and ask questions.
GRADING INFORMATION:
Students receive college credit if they meet REACH Program eligibility requirements and earn at least a C-.
Final grades will be figured according to the district-wide 90/80/70/60 scale. You can check your scores and grades online, but please do not do so during class unless you ask first. I work hard to be prompt and accurate. Let me know if you see any mistakes, of course. I will fix them.