| Course Information |
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Course
Description:
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English Masterpieces I is
a survey of major and minor works from
the Medieval, Renaissance, and Neoclassical periods of British literature.
Students will examine the fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction of
these periods with respect to the literary forms and characteristics of
each period, as well as to the societal,
cultural, philosophical, and historical forces that influenced their
development.
Critical and analytical thinking, interacting, and writing are central to
the course. In addition to
their readings, students will participate in ten weekly online discussions
of the readings for that week and complete three homework assignments
designed to test their ability to analyze and synthesize their impressions
of literary text with those of published critics. These three assignments
are designed to improve the students' critical thinking, reading, and
writing skills as they interact with literature.
Furthermore, students will have six reading quizzes which will be
both online and multiple-choice.
The
discussions, homework assignments, and reading quizzes all help students
prepare for the final two components of the course: essays and exams.
Students will write a long critical paper, which will incorporate
research, and they will demonstrate their knowledge of the course content
in three online multiple-choice exams over the Medieval,
Renaissance, and Neoclassical periods of British literature, respectively.
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Course
Objectives:
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As a result of class
instruction, students will . . .
- Use
critical thinking skills to analyze, interpret, and discuss selected
literary masterpieces from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Neoclassical
periods.
- Analyze,
interpret, and discuss how the societal, cultural, philosophical, and
historical contexts of the respective periods influenced the
development of the masterpieces.
- Analyze,
interpret, and discuss works of fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction
from these respective periods with respect to the distinctive literary
forms and characteristics that define each period.
- Develop,
research, write, and document (MLA) analytical essays on various
works, smoothly synthesizing their own impressions with those of
published sources.
- Demonstrate
their understanding of the course content through examinations
combining short answer, multiple choice, and essay responses.
- Use
online collaborative activities to interact within a community of
learners, actively engaging and fostering others in their analysis and
appreciation of literature.
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| Prerequisites
and Corequisites: |
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Students must have completed English 1010 and
1020 before they enroll in English 2210.
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Course
Topics:
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Module
1
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READINGS
: Medieval Period
Introduction 1-22; Bede & "Caedmon's Hymn" 23-26; "Dream of the Rood"
26-28; Online Study
Guides for this module
ASSIGNMENTS:
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Module
2
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READINGS
: Beowulf
29-99; Online Study Guides for this module
ASSIGNMENTS:
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Module
3
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READINGS
: Marie de France: introduction
126; Lanval
127-140; Geoffrey
Chaucer: intro 210-215; "The General Prologue" 215-234;Online
Study Guides for this module
ASSIGNMENTS:
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Module
4
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READINGS
: "Nun's
Priest's Tale" 296-310; Online
Study Guides for this module
ASSIGNMENTS:
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Discussion 3
(over readings in Module 4) - 10 points
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Reading Quiz 2
(over readings in Module 3 and Module 4) - 25 points
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Homework 1 Due
- 50 points
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Module
5
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Test
One: Literature of the Medieval Period - Modules 1-4
- 150 points
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Module
6
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READINGS
: Sixteenth Century
Introduction: 469-498; William Shakespeare: introduction 1026-1028; Twelfth Night 1043-1105;
Online Study Guides for
this module
ASSIGNMENTS:
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Module
7
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READINGS
: Early Seventeenth
Century Introduction: 1209-1232; John
Donne: introduction 1233-1235; "The Flea" 1236;
"Canonization" 1240-1; "Valediction" 1248-9; Holy
Sonnets 1268-1272; George
Herbert: introduction 1595-1596; The
Temple 1597-1614; Online
Study Guides for this module
ASSIGNMENTS:
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Module
8
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READINGS
: John Milton:
introduction 1771-3; Paradise
Lost (Books 1-6) 1815-1934;
Online Study Guides for this module
ASSIGNMENTS:
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Module
9
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READINGS
:
Paradise
Lost (Books 7-12)
1934-2042; Online
Study Guides for this module
ASSIGNMENTS:
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Discussion 7
(over readings in Module 9) - 10 points
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Reading Quiz 4
(over readings in Module 8 and Module 9) - 25 points
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Homework 2 Due
- 50 points
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Module
10
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Test
Two: Literature of the Renaissance Period - Modules 6-9
- 150 points
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Module
11
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READINGS
: Neoclassical Period
(Restoration & the Eighteenth Century) Introduction
2045-2070; John Dryden: introduction
2071-3; Absalom and
Achitophel 2075-2098; Online
Study Guides for this module
ASSIGNMENTS:
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Module
12
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READINGS
: Jonathan Swift: introduction
2298-2300; "A Modest Proposal" 2473-2478; "Debating
Women": Arguments in Verse 2584-2604; Online
Study Guides for this module
ASSIGNMENTS:
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Module
13
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READINGS
: Alexander Pope: introduction
2505-2508; The Rape of the
Lock 2525-2543; Online
Study Guides for this module
ASSIGNMENTS:
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Discussion 10
(over readings in Module 13) - 10 points
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Reading Quiz 6
(over readings in Module 12 and 13) - 25 points
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Homework 3 Due
- 50 points
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Module
14
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Test
Three: Literature of the Neoclassical Period - Modules 11-13
- 150 points
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Specific
Course Requirements:
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To complete this course
successfully, students should have mastery of the college-level
reading and writing skills taught and developed in ENGL1010 and
ENGL1020-the ability to read, think, and write critically about
literary texts, moving beyond mere summary to analysis.
In addition, students should be prepared to conduct research,
to document sources using the MLA style, to write in a way that
confirms their awareness of audience and purpose and tone, and to
express themselves in writing that is grammatically and mechanically
correct.
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| Textbooks,
Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements |
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Required
Textbooks:
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Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. It is located at http://rodp.bkstr.com. |
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Supplementary
Materials:
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Fowler, Ramsey H. and Jane E. Aaron, eds. The Little Brown Handbook.
9th ed.
New
York: Longman, 2004.
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Hardware
Requirements:
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Software
Requirements:
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The
minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Students must use a word processing system that will allow them to
save files in Rich Text Format (RTF).
Microsoft Word 97 or higher versions, for example, will allow
this. In addition,
students must provide the instructor with an additional email address
that exists outside of the WebCT email that is used inside of the RODP
course. This additional
email is merely a backup to be used in case the WebCT email is
temporarily down. Students
can sign up for free email accounts by visiting such sites as www.yahoo.com
or www.hotmail.com.
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| Instructor
Information |
Please
see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information
as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication
information.
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| Assessment
and Grading |
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Testing
Procedures:
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Testing Procedures:
Students
will have three online examinations over the Medieval Period, the
Renaissance Period, and the Neoclassical Period, respectively.
The examinations will be a combination of multiple choice,
matching, short answer, and discussion questions. Although no proctors
will be necessary for this course, students must take each exam during the
week specified on the syllabus and course calendar.
It
is unwise to assume that because there will be no proctor, it will be
possible to use one's book to successfully complete the examination.
Not only is each response timed, limiting one's ability to
consult a text or notes, but other precautions are in place as well:
the questions, the responses, and their order are randomly
generated; the correct answers and score are not revealed until all
individuals within a course have completed each examination; and the very
nature of the exam questions makes it difficult, if not impossible, to
have time to consult an outside source.
Although
online testing is quite convenient, eliminating the need to travel or to
make arrangements with a proctor, it in no way compromises the necessity
that each student study adequately for such carefully designed
examinations.
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Grading
Procedure:
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Three
exams worth 150 points each
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= 450 points
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Six
Reading Quizzes worth 25 points each
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= 150 points
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Ten
Class Discussions worth 10 points each
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= 100 points
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Three
Homework Assignments worth 50 points each
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= 150 points
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Critical
Research Paper worth 150 points
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= 150 points
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Total:
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1000
points
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Grading
Scale:
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900 - 1000 pts = A
800 - 899 pts = B
700 - 799 pts = C
600 - 699 pts = D
Less than 600 pts = F
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| Assignments
and Participation |
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Assignments
and Projects:
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Exams - 450 points
Students will have three online examinations over the Medieval Period, the
Renaissance Period, and the Neoclassical Period, respectively.
The examinations will be a combination of multiple choice,
matching, short answer, and discussion questions.
Each exam is worth 150 points for a total of 450 points.
Reading
Quizzes - 150 points
Students will have six online reading quizzes-two during the Medieval
Period, two during the Renaissance Period, and two during the Neoclassical
Period. Each quiz will be
composed of 25 questions, each worth one point, and will be a combination
of multiple choice, matching, true-false, and short answer questions.
To successfully complete each quiz, it is important that students
keep up with the reading assignments; each quiz will cover no more than
two units at a time. Furthermore,
the quizzes are designed to prepare students for the exams as well. Each
quiz is worth 25 points for a total of 150 points.
Class Discussions - 100 points
Students will respond to ten discussions throughout the course of the
semester-one during each unit of reading.
Participating in the class discussions is an important component in
the course not only to earn a potential ten points per discussion, but
also because interacting with others helps students maintain a strong
learning community-an element that is especially crucial to success in
an online course. To receive
full credit for each discussion, students must provide thoughtful,
well-supported, in-depth responses to the original posting, responses that
suggest a close reading and analysis of the text under consideration.
Furthermore, after their initial response to the instructor's
original posting, they must respond to two other students' posted
responses, as well. Each
discussion is worth 10 points for a total of 100 points.
Homework Assignments - 150 points
Students will have complete three homework assignments-one during the
Medieval Period, one during the Renaissance Period, and one during the
Neoclassical Period. These
homework assignments are designed to allow students to conduct close
readings and analyses of the text, to synthesize their impressions, and to
express their discoveries in writing.
Each homework assignment is worth 50 points for a total of 150
points.
Critical Research Paper - 150 points
During Module 3, students will submit their selections for research paper
topics, and during Module 12, the critical research paper will be due.
An in-depth literary analysis, this longer, formal paper will use
secondary sources and will be documented according to the guidelines of
MLA style and format. Students
will choose their topics from a list given to them by the instructor.
The critical research paper is worth 150 points.
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Class
Participation:
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To be successful in this course, students must
take an active role in all interactive aspects of this course.
The weekly discussions, homework assignments, reading quizzes, and
other components of the course have been specifically designed to
encourage frequent interaction both with the instructor and with other
members of the online learning community.
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Punctuality:
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Although the online
learning environment allows students to be self-directed and independent
learners, the course framework and deadlines are designed to ensure that
students maintain weekly contact with their instructors and fellow
learners, as well as be well-prepared for each major assignment.
The 14-week semester is
basically broken down into 3 four to five-week sections.
Tests are to be taken during Units 5, 10, and 14, and during each
four to five-week period preceding each exam, students will participate in
weekly discussions, two reading quizzes, and one in-depth homework
assignment-all designed to prepare them for the respective exam.
Because punctuality is
key to each student's success in this course, all assignments are docked
10% per calendar day that they are late, and all three exams must be taken
within the prescribed one-week time frames.
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| Course
Ground Rules |
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Students must have completed
English 1010 and 1020 before they enroll in English 2120, as students
are expected to demonstrate the writing, research, and documentation
skills learned in those prerequisite courses.
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Because the reading/writing content of this online course matches that
of a traditional course, you should expect to spend approximately six
hours a week on this course. Weekly
contact will also help ensure that you are progressing well and that
your questions are being answered.
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Please use the WebCT
email address to maintain contact with your instructor, and remember
to contact your instructor frequently-often your questions are
identical to those of so many other students, so you will not only be
helping yourself, but you will be helping your instructor identify
questions that other students may have, as well.
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Follow the course deadlines carefully; they are set up to help ensure
your success with each subsequent assignment.
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The work you complete in this
course is expected to be entirely your own. Plagiarism, cheating, and
other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Please
see your Little Brown
Handbook for a thorough understanding of what constitutes both
intentional and unintentional plagiarism-types of plagiarism that
carry equal offense regardless of motive.
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Before beginning this course, please familiarize yourself with the
help page in this RODP course and take the online WebCT tutorial.
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| Guidelines
for Communications |
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Email:
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- Always
include a subject line.
- Remember
without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way.
Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful
in some cases.
- Use
standard fonts.
- Do not
send large attachments without permission.
- Special
formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should
be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
- Respect
the privacy of other class members
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Discussion
Groups:
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- Review
the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion.
Be a lurker then a discussant.
- Try
to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting
a new topic.
- Do not
make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the
discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
- Be patient
and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering
your remarks.
- Be cooperative
with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
- Be positive
and constructive in group discussions.
- Respond
in a thoughtful and timely manner.
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Chat:
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- Introduce
yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
- Be polite.
Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
- Be concise
in responding to others in the chat session.
- Be prepared
to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
- Be constructive
in your comments and suggestion
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Web
Resources:
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Library
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The
Tennessee
Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents
Degree Program. Links
to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary
loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian
support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online
assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses.
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Students With Disabilities
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Qualified
students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary
academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability
services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability
accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification
of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability
services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility
to initiate contact with his or her home institution's disability services
staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation
notice sent to the instructor.
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Syllabus Changes
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The
instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus.
If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor
will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual
email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s)
on the course bulletin board.
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Technical Support
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Telephone
Support:
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If
you are having problems logging into your course, timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other
technical problems, please contact the Eduprise Help Desk by calling
1-866-550-7637
(toll free)
or
go to their website at:
http://help.rodp.org
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