St. Gregory's University Syllabus   Spring 2004
EN 1323 English Composition II
Marian Salwierak, M.Ed., Associate Professor

 Instructor:  Marian Salwierak             Office 311 Ext. 5181
e-mail: mksalwierak@stgregorys.edu   Office Hours:  M-W-F 11-12, 1:00 – 2:00 or by appointment

 Course Description (from SGU catalog): Designed to expand effective communication through the writing process in a literature-based writing class.  Components include the short story, the poem, drama, literary criticism, and research.

 Instructor note:  Composition II is a continuation of Composition I.  Consequently, as the title suggests, we continue development of writing skills.  To understand the power of language, we will employ a variety of writing techniques.  Many of the topics for written assignments will be generated from reading literature, for the study of literature is of merit in and of itself.  We read to learn - about people, ourselves, our world, our past, our present and our future.  Read to learn and listen to hear the perceptions of your colleagues.

 My approach for this course includes much interaction with texts, much interaction with one another in study groups and shared learning, a variety of response approaches, and a variety of writing experiences. I believe that we must be aware of language in reading and writing, speaking and listening, and in media. Our classroom should become a rich learning community with shared knowledge, cooperative learning and consistent support for one another’s growth.

 General Course Objectives:
·        To find one’s unique writer’s voice
·        To improve writing skills.
·        To practice diverse writing techniques to build awareness of language usage.
·        To improve skills of analysis.
·        To improve skills of discussion, including ability to put ideas in oral form and to listen to the ideas of others.
·        To develop capacity to think for one's self and to develop openness to new ideas in writing and in discussion with others.
·        To develop an appreciation for literature and to see reading and discussion as a lifelong activity.
·        To gain a basic understanding of literary criticism.
·        To apply research techniques to a literary topic in multi-genre and traditional  approaches
·        To experience cooperative learning in a variety of approaches

 Upon completing English 1323, the student should be able to:

1.       Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of writing techniques related to literature in particular and writing in general.

2.      Demonstrate the basic principles of researching and writing a documented paper on a literary subject;

3.      Demonstrate understanding of basic literary terminology;

4.      Demonstrate the ability to synthesize material from a variety of sources to create an original composition;

5.      Demonstrate a basic understanding of literary criticism.

 Textbook:

DiYanni, Robert, ed. Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (Compact Edition).

Boston: McGraw Hill, 2000.

 Grading Criteria:

·        Attitude and Action (20%) This portion of your grade will be determined by class attendance, participation in class activities, journal completion. This includes online reading and response.

Note: As a member of this class, you become part of our group dynamic, an essential element in our learning experience.  Your "angle" is a necessary part of our total learning.  Please maximize our learning by your consistent prepared attendance.

Choose to attend.  That is an adult decision.  Do not let anyone else make that decision for you.  The instructor reserves the right to implement the University policy to withdraw a student from the course for non-attendance.

·        Essays (    ) There will be 4-6 essays assigned. They will vary in type and topic.

Note: Late essays are subject to 2.5% grade reduction per date of tardiness.

Essays are to be typed, double-spaced, using Times New Roman 12 point font.

The class website provides written assignment directives.

·        Research and presentation (    ) There will be two required papers. One will be a traditional research paper over literary criticism. This will include a panel discussion. The second will be a multi-genre research paper. This will include an individual presentation.

·        Intertextual project (    ) This will be a cooperative learning project that begins with a causal event and seeks to show its ripple effect through a variety of genre in a culminating multi-media PowerPoint presentation.

·        Final exam(    ) The final exam will be  Monday, May 10, 1:00 PM 

Note: This exam will be cumulative. In designing the exam, the instructor assumes that you have read the assigned materials, but have not memorized all details. Expect terminology and material from class presentations to be included. (This includes student presentations!) Expect that you will be asked to apply knowledge of literary terms, literary criticism and literary analysis to readings. Expect to be asked about writing techniques. The test format will include matching, fill in the blank and short answer. In mini-essay format, you will be asked

1.      to identify the most influential work you read or wrote this semester and to describe its impact.

2.      to choose two characters from two different works and imagine that they meet. Your answer will explain your choices and what you expect would be the outcome of such an imaged meeting.