English 201: Course Policies

Spring Quarter 2003

Tuesday, Thursday, 1:45-3:45 pm
Deborah Burks
Office: Galvin 470H
Office Phone: 995-8252
Email: burks.29@osu.edu
E201 website: http://lima.osu.edu/dburks/201sp2003.htm
Office hours:
T,R 10-11am; 4-5pm and by appointment

I sincerely hope that you will drop by during my office hours to introduce yourself, to ask questions, to seek help in preparing your paper, or simply to be neighborly.
Course Description and Goals: English 201 is a critical introduction to the major works of British literature from the Medieval period to the eighteenth century. This course looks at literature’s chronological development in a culture that underwent significant social change. We will pay close attention to the genres and themes that run throughout the works we read, attuning ourselves to the developing sense amongst these authors that they were writing in a uniquely British literary tradition. My goal is to introduce you to the special techniques of reading and interpreting early literature, and to guide you as you develop the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills that will make you increasingly sophisticated students of literature.
Texts: You will need to buy one text for this course — The Longman Anthology of English Literature, Volume One. We will read a few short texts that are not collected in the Longman. I will supply you with photocopies of these selections. I have also asked the bookstore to stock a literary handbook, The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms. If you are an English major, you might consider buying this as a reference tool. I will ask you to learn a number of literary terms this quarter, which will require you to refer to resources like the Bedford Glossary. (Similar reference materials are available at the library).
Requirements: This is a demanding course with quite a lot of reading to cover. Please note: some weeks the readings will, of necessity, be longer and more challenging. Plan accordingly. You might wish to read ahead during light weeks. You will be asked to write a midterm exam, a short paper (4-5 pages), and a final exam. Of course, you will be expected to be prepared for and in attendance during class meetings. The short quizzes will provide an incentive for you to keep up with the reading. Quizzes may not be made up.

 

Components of the Final Grade:

Quizzes 15% (collectively)

Midterm

30%
Paper 25%
Final 30%
Resources:

The Lima Campus Library has a fine reference section and a helpful staff headed by Tina Schneider, Reference Librarian.

The Writing Center, directed by Doug Sutton-Ramspeck, is located on the third floor of Galvin Hall (GA 310). The Writing Center offers free one-on-one consulting services to writers in all OSU-Lima courses. The Center is staffed by well-qualified student tutors. While they will not write your papers for you, they can be helpful at many stages of the writing process. Drop by to make an appointment (995-8076) or email the Center through its webpage on the OSU-Lima homepage. (http://lima.osu.edu)

OSU-Lima also has computer facilities available to all students. One point about resources available on the Internet: you will find all sorts of material published there, but its quality is completely untested. Do not rely on the Internet as your sole source of information. (It should go without saying that any information drawn from any source and used in your work must be properly cited. In the case of Internet sources, you must include the web address of the site from which you obtained the information.)

The Office of Disability Services, located in the Public Services building, offers assistance for students with documented disabilities. Contact Karen Meyer at 995-8453.
Plagiarism: Intentionally borrowing someone else’s ideas or words and submitting them as your own work is a serious academic offense. Suspected cases of plagiarism will be reviewed by the University Committee on Academic Misconduct, and could result in a failing grade in this course or in expulsion from OSU. If you have questions or concerns about plagiarism or citing sources, please consult me.