Session 2014-1 Spring Office: Beata 209 Class Time: Tuesday 6:00-10:00 Class: L15
Professor: Dr. Billie Jarvis-Freeman Office Hours: by Appointment Email:
[email protected] Office Phone: 525-1420 ext: 3575
PRE-ASSIGNMENT: Read the linked D2L article “‘The Social Influence of Film as Literature”. LITR 210-70: Literature and Film
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION Selected literary texts and their representation on film; analysis of the relationship between the two genres, and differences between written texts and visual media. 3 semester credit hours. Literature Core Elective. II. TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Books and Materials: • Brothers Grimm. The Complete Grimm’s Fairytales. ISBN: 978-1-4404-5831-6 • Barrie, J.M. Peter Pan. ISBN: 978-0-14-132257-5 • Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. ISBN: 978-0-439-02352-8 • Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. ISBN: 978-0-7432-7356-5 • Hammett, Dashiell. The Thin Man. ISBN: 978-0-679-72263-2 Recommended, but not required: • A Writer’s Reference, 5th edition, Diana Hacker, 2003. ISBN# 0312593325
III. MISSION STATEMENT Benedictine University is dedicated to the education of undergraduate and graduate students from diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. As an academic community committed to liberal arts and professional education distinguished and guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and Benedictine heritage, we prepare our students for a lifetime as active, informed and responsible citizens and leaders in the world community. IV.
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
A. Benedictine Core Goals Benedictine University's core mission is to prepare students for active participation in an increasingly interconnected world. Its Core Curriculum advances this mission by enabling students to attain a broad range of learning goals, listed below: 1. Demonstrate an effective level of cognitive, communicative, and research skills; 2. Achieve a college level of computational skills and an ability to understand and interpret numerical data;
3. Acquire a knowledge of the history and heritage of western civilization, to include • the contributions of religious faith and philosophical thought to understanding the person in community, • the relationship of the individual to society: membership and participation in groups and institutions, • scientific literacy through a knowledge of the history, the methods, and the impact of science on the individual, society, and the environment, • artistic and literary heritage; 4. Develop an understanding of global society: cultural diversity, mutual relationships, interdependence of peoples and nations; 5. Apply liberal learning in problem-solving contexts as preparation for active participation in society; 6. Make informed ethical decisions that promote personal integrity, the legitimate rights and aspirations of individuals and groups, and the common good. Course Goals 1. To develop a critical awareness of both literature and film through the examination of their similarities so that each is revealed as art contributing to an understanding of life. 2. To learn to analyze various “texts,” including film versions of literature. 3. To develop analytical expression in both writing and oral presentation. B. Course Objectives/Outcomes As a distribution course within the Core Electives, LITR 210 was designed with the above Core goals and course goals in mind. Thus, upon successful completion of LITR 210, the student will be able to demonstrate their mastery of the following objectives and student learning outcomes: 1. Examine the elements of poetry, short fiction, drama, and the novel as a means of evaluating literature. 2. Examine, closely, films based on these literary genres as a means for evaluating films through common elements of fiction. 3. Examine the similarities and differences of films and literature so that an appreciation for both may be gained. 4. Begin to establish criteria for evaluating both film and literature. 5. Be conversant with literary, theatrical, and film terminology, knowing how each relates to its medium and how each coordinates or differs with terms in another medium. 6. Recognize the validity of artistic interpretation as it derives from original creation. 7. Develop the ability to make critical judgments in response to literature and to support those judgments through analysis. V.
TEACHING METHODS/DELIVERY SYSTEM
This course is a combination of lecture, discussion, and group work. Students should come to class and must be prepared to discuss the reading assignments and to do the in-class work, which includes the active analysis of films. Class discussions are not only encouraged, they are required; within this, students are expected to be respectful toward fellow students and the instructor. It is a student’s own responsibility to check and understand this syllabus.
VI.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance Policy (for all 5-, 8-, 10-week courses)
This course is highly accelerated, and students will need to take a great deal of responsibility for their own learning outcomes. Attendance is required in each class meeting for the full period of time. Any absence must be due to extraordinary circumstances and will require documentation for it to be considered excused. Documentation must be provided immediately in order to determine what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible. Class attendance will directly impact your final grade, and each undocumented absence will be considered unexcused and will result in a 20% reduction in the final grade for the course. Due to the accelerated nature of the course, should you experience a medical condition which prevents you from attending any class(es), appropriate medical documentation must be provided immediately so it may be determined what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible.
Classroom Behavior In this classroom, respectful, professional behavior is expected and required. Due to the interactive nature of the writing process, it is imperative that students can expect courteous, polite dialogue with their classmates. • PARTICIPATION: Come to class prepared. Read all assignments and do all exercises before the dates they are due. Bring your book, paper, writing utensils, and whatever notes you took while reading the assignments to class. Class participation is necessary, and it is important to everyone in the class, especially me. Be prepared with all written assignments ready when they are due. Late work will not be accepted. If you foresee scheduling conflicts, contact me immediately. • CELL PHONES: Set all cell phones on “silent” or power them down completely. Texting or other electronic communication is not allowed during class time. If you disregard this rule, you will be asked to leave class, and you will be marked absent for the class period (please refer to the attendance policy for how this will affect your overall grade). Reading Assignments Students will be required to read four full novels, selections from Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and linked critical articles, short stories, and poetry on our D2L site.
Written Assignments and Projects Essay I (1000-1200 words) Essay II (1500 words) Presentation (based on essay 2) Quizzes / Homework Participation
20 % of total grade 30 % of total grade 15 % of total grade 20 % of total grade 15 % of total grade
Benedictine University at Springfield Student Academic Honesty Policy The search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge are the central missions of a university. Benedictine University at Springfield pursues these missions in an environment guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and our Benedictine heritage. Integrity and honesty are therefore expected of all University students. Actions such as cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, forgery, falsification, destruction, multiple submission, solicitation, and misrepresentation are violations of these expectations and constitute unacceptable behavior in the University community.
Student’s Responsibility Though there is no formal honor code at Benedictine University at Springfield, students are expected to exhibit academic honesty at all times. Violations against academic honesty are always serious and may result in sanctions that could have profound long-term effects. The final responsibility for understanding the Academic Honesty Policy of the institution, as well as the specific policies for individual courses normally found in syllabi, rests with students. If any doubt exists about what constitutes academic dishonesty, students have the responsibility to talk to the faculty member. Students should expect the members of their class to be academically honest. If students believe one or more members of the class have been deceitful to gain academic advantage in the class, students should feel comfortable to approach the faculty member of the course without prejudice.
Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy will be reported to the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs. Along with a verbal warning, the following are consequences a student may face for academic dishonesty: • a failing grade or “zero” for the assignment; • dismissal from and a failing grade for the course; or • dismissal from the Institution. VII.
MEANS OF EVALUATION
GRADING SCALE: A = 100 to 90% B=89 to 80% C=79 to 70% D=69 to 60% F=59% or below Late papers and assignments will not be accepted. The Fluid Syllabus—This syllabus is not written in stone for a reason. As the class progresses, changes might need to be made to the syllabus to allow for the fluidity of the class. Should such changes be necessary, I will make sure we are all aware of them with notice. But, your attendance is necessary to that awareness as well. If a student believes that an error has been made in reporting a grade, an appeal must be made in writing to the instructor and must be initiated within 60 calendar days after the end of the term for which the grade in question was reported. The appeal should contain specific information about why it is believed the grade reported is inaccurate. See the Student Handbook for additional details.
Add/Drop Dates Please refer to the current Academic Calendar for add/drop dates.
Incomplete Request To qualify for an “I” grade, a minimum of 75% of the course work must be completed with a “C” or better, and a student must submit a completed “Request for an Incomplete” form to the Registrar’s Office. The form must be completed by both student and instructor, but it is the student’s responsibility (not the instructor’s) to initiate this process and obtain the necessary signatures. Student Withdrawal Procedure It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by completing the appropriate form, with appropriate signatures, and returning the completed form to the Advising Office. Please refer to the Student Handbook for important financial information related to withdrawals. VIII.
TOPICAL COURSE OUTLINE
WEEK ONE • Introductions • Overview of syllabus and course requirements • Notes: Film History/Connections of Film and Literature/ Issues of the Fairytale • Various Film Clips • Essay #1 Assigned • Homework: Read from Grimms’- “Rapunzel”, “Little Snow White”, Cinderella & D2L Fairytale article WEEK TWO • Quiz over Readings • Watch: Various fairytale film clips, Snow White • Discussion: Fairytales • Homework: Read Peter Pan & D2L Children’s Lit/Barrie articles
WEEK THREE • Quiz over Readings • Watch: Various Peter Pan film clips, Peter Pan • Discussion: Children’s Literature & Peter Pan • Homework: Read Hunger Games & D2L Adolescent Lit article Essay #1 due next week
WEEK FOUR • Essay #1 due • Quiz over Readings • Watch: The Hunger Games • Discussion: Adolescent Literature / The Hunger Games • Essay #2 & Presentation Assigned • Homework: Read The Great Gatsby & D2L article on Gatsby
WEEK FIVE • Quiz over Readings • Watch: The Great Gatsby (with comparison of previous versions) • Discussion: Canonical Fiction & The Great Gatsby • Homework: Read The Thin Man & D2L article on Film Noir
WEEK SIX • Quiz over Readings • Watch: The Thin Man & actual Film Noir clips • Discussion: Genre Fiction/ Film Noir / The Thin Man • Homework: Discussion material for contemporary fiction/other genre fiction as related to Essay #2 WEEK SEVEN • Discuss and workshop written portion of final projects (Essay #2 & Presentations WEEK EIGHT • Essay #2 Due • Presentations IX. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) Benedictine University at Springfield provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities, and services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in campus-sponsored programs, activities, and services, or to meet course requirements, should contact the Resource Center Director as early as possible:
[email protected] or (217) 525-1420, ext. 3233. X. ASSESSMENT Goals, objectives, and learning outcomes that will be assessed in the class are stated in this syllabus in Sections IV and VI. Your instructor will use discussion, in-class writing, quizzes, formal writing assignments and /or other Classroom Assessment Techniques as deemed necessary in order to provide continuous improvement of instruction.
