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Nathalie op de Beeck
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ENG 375: Literature for Adolescents – Teen Reads and Social Commentary Spring 2007 / 216 Stevenson Hall / Monday, 5:30–8:20 p.m. Instructor: Dr. Nathalie op de Beeck Office: 337 Stevenson Hall / x8-3297 / dbop@ilstu.edu Office hours: MW 12:20-1:30 p.m., and by appointment
Course Description
Required Texts (alphabetical by author)
Additional readings may be found on digital reserve. For connection information, please see http://www.english.ilstu.edu/reserve/ or go to my folder, http://filesrv01.cas.ilstu.edu/reserve/English/ Simply scroll down to my last name under the letter "O," click on it, and locate the file in the folder titled "2007 Spring 375." Please note that this upper-level course will be reading and writing intensive. Many of the assigned novels and graphic narratives can be read in one or two sittings, and you will read texts and/or articles back-to-back so that we have two pieces for comparison during our meeting period. Come to class prepared to complete the weekly journal and contribute to discussion. Occasionally, I may give quizzes to check progress. The short-answer final exam draws upon the assigned reading material.
Course Requirements Everyone should get a small, lightweight three-ring binder to serve as a hand-in folder. Put your name on it, stick some stickers on there, personalize it. I would prefer that you use a flat, paper-cover binder rather than a bulky plastic one, so that I can handle the materials efficiently. Weekly clip file: Every week, find at least one fresh, compelling, nonfiction article related to our course topic of adolescence and social concerns. Read the piece, think about it, and place it in your folder. If all goes according to plan, these clips will become the foundations for final projects, so look for articles on issues you feel are important in regard to young adulthood, literature/media, and national/global culture. In-class Journaling: On Mondays, I will hand out a journaling question to which you will respond immediately, in writing, for ten minutes. When you free-write, compose your thoughts into sentences and complete paragraphs. Avoid lists. Fill the page. Be sure to come prepared to write and share ideas. Second Drafts: Take the journal home with you and transcribe it, revising your handwritten sentences with reflections and opinions generated in class. Locate specific examples in the assigned books, essays, and class discussion. Quote accurately and note page numbers when you use published material. Aim for about two pages, double-spaced; when you get to the next stage of writing, this should serve as a solid foundation! Make sure to back up your copy of this second draft, and print a copy too. Put the printed second draft and your original journal in the hand-in folder and bring everything to class the following Monday. During the Monday free-write, have the folder on your desk so I can check your past week’s work. I will grade the ongoing work on a pass/fail (i.e., complete/incomplete) basis. There will be 10 journals and thus 10 second drafts over the semester. Developed Written Pieces: You will use the spontaneous free-written journals and the more detailed second drafts to generate brief but developed final drafts. You will complete two developed written pieces this semester, as well as a final project. At least on the first round, I leave it to you to determine which journal and draft you develop into a finished piece. Build your essay with information from texts, essays, and class discussion. If you notice crossover between two or more journals, you can fuse related ideas, but you should focus on a central journal piece. By all means, stop by my office to discuss ongoing work. These pieces are short and concise, and should be approached with seriousness and attention. I will not accept materials that fail to meet the requirements, and I will dock these incomplete materials by one letter grade if I have to return them to you. The requirements for finished pieces are as follows:
The bibliography is necessary, but it does not count as part of a page. On the deadline date, you will hand in your folder containing the final draft, handwritten journals, second drafts, and clipped articles about adolescence. I will read and grade the final draft with a letter grade, and double-check all handwritten journals, second drafts, and clip files for completion. The folder should be well-organized and focused on the revision process, showing your progress from point A (journal) to point B (draft) to point C (final piece). Grading Class Participation, individually and in groups (15 percent of final grade) You need to attend class in order to participate. For each missed class, up to three missed classes, you lose 9 percent of your participation grade (i.e., if you miss one meeting but are very active in class otherwise, you still can have an A in participation). However, students who miss four or more class meetings automatically fail the course. Be advised that late arrivals, early departures, napping, and things like text messaging count against you. Be physically and intellectually present during class time. Don’t disrupt the group unless absolutely necessary (illness = necessary; phone/text, drink/snack, a little stroll = not). If you have an unusual situation, let me know ahead of time, but remember that all your professors prefer that you do not act rude or schedule appointments during your most important class – theirs! In terms of everyday participation, get involved in the conversations. This helps you practice public speaking and adds to everyone’s learning experience. Comment on texts, state pertinent opinions, and ask questions! Express yourself. Remain conscious of others too. If you are outspoken, listen once in a while. If you tend to be quiet, speak up occasionally. Pass/fail journals and hand-in folder (15 percent of final grade) Each Monday, I will look at your folder and give the combination of journal, second draft, and news clipping a pass/fail mark. This is part of your weekly participation. When you hand in your folder with essay assignments, I will mark it with a letter grade: 100/A+ (wow) 95/A (excellent, thorough responses with textual examples, page citations, and specific details) 85/B (good responses, but focus more on textual examples with page citations, add details from the readings, and fill the pages) 75/C (read more carefully, give textual examples, cite pages, explain examples, and write more ideas and opinions on the pages) 65/D, 50/F, or lower if warranted, although I sincerely hope not. Two developed pieces (20 percent each, for a total of 40 percent) These pieces receive an exact letter grade: 100-90/A, 89-80/B, 79-70/C, 69-60/D, and 59-lower/F. Final project based on a combination of news clippings and coursework. A preliminary one-page account of your planned topic and relevant source materials will be due April 9. (17.5 percent) Final project group presentation in class. As part of a group, you will introduce your project topic and provide a handout. (2.5 percent, so that your final project grade equals 20 percent) Final exam (10 percent) We will have a short-answer final exam covering assigned material, so keep up with the readings. Academic honesty Given the revision basis of the course and my trust in your commitment to education and literature, I am hopeful that plagiarism will not be an issue. If you copy another person’s work without attribution, passing it off as your own; if you use work in this class that you have done for another course; or if you cheat in some other manner regarding your progress and grade, you will fail this course and I will report the problem. The ISU Student Code of Conduct ( http://www.policy.ilstu.edu/archives/student_code_of_conduct.htm) explains these points too. I genuinely hope for your best work, but I have to make my expectations clear.
Course Schedule
Feb 12
Feb 19
In class: Journal 4
--------------------------------- March 10 – 18 Spring Break --------------------------------
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Please email me with any questions or comments! dbop@ilstu.edu |