Professor Karin Westman

108B English/ Counseling Services; 532-2171

Office Hours: M, W 9:00-10:00 a.m. and by app't

westmank@ksu.edu

Required Texts

Shelley, Frankenstein. 1818. Norton Critical Edition. 2nd ed. (2012)

Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea. 1966. Norton Critical Edition. (1998)

Guerin et. al., A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature, 6th Ed.(2011)

Graff and Birkenstein, "They Say / I Say": The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing (2021)

Gibaldi, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 9th Ed. (2021)

Additional readings available on Canvas.

Course Description

As the catalog explains, ENGL 801 provides a foundation for the M.A. in English, serving as an intensive introduction to "the methods and aims of advanced-level research and scholarship in language and literature." We will read and talk about literary periods, literary genres, current conversations in English studies, and various kinds of texts.

Course Modality: We will meet in person for most class sessions. On selected Fridays (noted below on the schedule of classes with [A]), you will complete an asynchronous activity (due by 11:59pm).

Course Objectives

ENGL 801 is designed to help you develop the following skills:

• Analyze and interpret a literary text according to its formal characteristics ("close read") with increasing sophistication
• Succinctly and accurately summarize a critical article and put it into a context
• Identify, locate, cite, and evaluate scholarly critical resources
• Enter the existing critical conversation about a work through a research-based, scholarly argument that intervenes in and advances that conversation
• Recognize and discuss the points of debate surrounding
  • Literary periods
  • Period aesthetics
  • Literary value and canonization
  • Distinctions among genres and how genre informs a work's content, structure, and reception

Class Participation: Given the learning outcomes for ENGL 801, this class will foreground discussion. Class participation is therefore expected and will count for 20% of your final grade. This portion of your grade includes your contributions to our discussions in class (in large and small groups) and to our asynchronous online discussions (further information below). Your goal is to be an active presence in the class: you should complete the reading assigned for each class session, think carefully about what you have read, and be ready to share your ideas -- in class and online.

Attendance: Your attendance is important, but I recognize that the unexpected will happen, especially during the ongoing pandemic. If you miss more than three class sessions, please contact me, so we can discuss your progress and identify the best path forward.

Online Discussions: As part of your class participation and to practice informal analytical writing, each week, each student is required to post at least one paragraph-length comment about the materials we're reading and discussing in class. These posts are intended to help you do the following:

• Prepare for or develop topics and ideas discussed in class
• Prepare to engage in the public humanities by communicating your ideas and responding to those of your peers in a non-scholarly format

I will read these discussions and assess a grade (at the end of the semester) based on the thoughtfulness of your comments, their ability to foster discussion among your classmates, their responsiveness both to our readings, and their ability to "translate" scholarly discussions for a general audience. I'll provide some weekly question prompts as I follow these conversations, and I may also participate, but I see the message board primarily as a way for you to raise issues we haven't addressed -- or addressed fully or to your satisfaction -- during our regular class meetings. I will offer models of successful comments early in the semester.

Writing Assignments: ENGL 801 is predominately a skills class, so you will be practicing various writing skills over the course of the semester. Writing assignments will include the following:

• Response Papers
  • Several times during the semester, you will complete a response paper (2 pages in length, typed) in preparation for our class discussion. I will distribute guidelines and question prompts for response papers the class session before they are due. Responses will be graded on a 1-5 scale: 5=A, 4=B, 3=C, 2=D, 1=F.
• Abstracts
  • You will write three abstracts during the semester: two abstracts of published critical arguments and an abstract of your own critical argument for Paper #2.
    
• Citations
  • A number of times during the semester, you will write citations for print and online sources.
    
• Annotated Bibliography
  • You will compose an annotated bibliography for Paper #2.
    
• Papers
  • You will write two papers during the semester.
    
  • Paper #1 (4 pages in length) will emphasize the first learning outcome for our course ("Analyze and interpret a literary text according to its formal characteristics").
    
  • Paper #2 (10-12 pages in length) will emphasize the fourth learning outcome ("Enter the existing critical conversation about a work through a research-based, scholarly argument that intervenes in and advances that conversation"), but in doing so will also include the skills listed in the other four learning outcomes.
    
  • Papers should follow the general rules of composition and be typed or word-processed with standard double-spacing, 1-inch margins, and either 10- or 12-point standard typeface. Title pages and cover sheets are unnecessary. Pages should be numbered, stapled together, proof-read, and spell-checked. Papers are due by the date and time on the syllabus; late papers will be penalized one grade (i.e.: A to B) for each day late.
• Public Scholarship
  • You will write a short piece of general-interest writing based on your Paper #2.

Reserve, Online, and Video Resources: Along with some required reserve reading and one required video, I will refer you to additional resources available on reserve at K-State Libraries, online, or on video to complement our readings and discussions.

Conferences: I want you to succeed in this course, and I am happy to meet with you about your work and your progress. I encourage you to see me before writing assignments are due, or if you have questions about material we discuss in class. Please feel free to schedule a meeting during office hours (M, W 9:00-10:00 a.m. and by app't) or contact me by phone or email to arrange a time to meet by phone or Zoom.

Email: I highly recommend email as a way of touching base with me about your work for the class – a kind of virtual office hours. You can send me queries about readings, writing assignments, or anything else that could be handled with a quick exchange of messages. I check my email throughout the day, but please remember that I am not perpetually online.

Honor Code: Kansas State University has an Honor System based on personal integrity, which is presumed to be sufficient assurance that, in academic matters, one's work is performed honestly and without unauthorized assistance. Undergraduate and graduate students, by registration, acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Honor System. The policies and procedures of the Honor System apply to all full and part-time students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses on-campus, off-campus, and via distance learning. The honor system website can be reached via the following URL: www.k-state.edu/honor. A component vital to the Honor System is the inclusion of the Honor Pledge which applies to all assignments, examinations, or other course work undertaken by students. The Honor Pledge is implied, whether or not it is stated: "On my honor, as a student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic work." A grade of XF can result from a breach of academic honesty. The F indicates failure in the course; the X indicates the reason is an Honor Pledge violation.

Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who need classroom accommodations, access to technology, or information about emergency building/campus evacuation processes should contact the Student Access Center and/or their instructor.  Services are available to students with a wide range of disabilities including, but not limited to, physical disabilities, medical conditions, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, depression, and anxiety. If you are a student enrolled in campus/online courses through the Manhattan or Olathe campuses, contact the Student Access Center at accesscenter@k-state.edu, 785-532-6441; for K-State Polytechnic campus, contact Academic and Student Services at polytechnicadvising@ksu.edu or call 785-826-2974.

Expectations for Student Conduct: All student activities in the University, including this course, are governed by the Student Judicial Conduct Code as outlined in the Student Governing Association By Laws, Article VI, Section 3, number 2. Students who engage in behavior that disrupts the learning environment may be asked to leave the class.

 

Mutual Respect and Inclusion in K-State Teaching and Learning Spaces: At K-State, faculty and staff are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. K-State courses, labs, and other virtual and physical learning spaces promote equitable opportunity to learn, participate, contribute, and succeed, regardless of age, race, color, ethnicity, nationality, genetic information, ancestry, disability, socioeconomic status, military or veteran status, immigration status, Indigenous identity, gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, religion, culture, as well as other social identities.

Faculty and staff are committed to promoting equity and believe the success of an inclusive learning environment relies on the participation, support, and understanding of all students. Students are encouraged to share their views and lived experiences as they relate to the course or their course experience, while recognizing they are doing so in a learning environment in which all are expected to engage with respect to honor the rights, safety, and dignity of others in keeping with the K-State Principles of Community https://www.k-state.edu/about/values/community/.

If you feel uncomfortable because of comments or behavior encountered in this class, you may bring it to the attention of your instructor, advisors, and/or mentors. If you have questions about how to proceed with a confidential process to resolve concerns, please contact the Student Ombudsperson Office. Violations of the student code of conduct can be reported here https://www.k-state.edu/sga/judicial/student-code-of-conduct.html. If you experience bias or discrimination, it can be reported here https://www.k-state.edu/report/discrimination/

Conceal Carry Statement: In this class, students will be asked on a regular basis to participate in activities (i.e., engaging in group work) that may require students to either be separated from their bags or be prepared to keep their bags with them at all times during such activities. Students are encouraged to take the online weapons policy education module to ensure they understand the requirements related to concealed carry.

Wearing of Face Coverings: All students are expected to comply with K-State’s face mask policy. As of August 2, 2021, everyone must wear face masks over their mouths and noses in all indoor spaces on university property, including while attending in-person classes. This policy is subject to change at the university’s discretion. For additional information and the latest on K-State’s face covering policy, see https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/guidance/health/face-covering.html.

Statement of Copyright: Copyright 2021 as to this syllabus and all course materials and lectures. During this course students are prohibited from selling notes to or being paid for taking notes by any person or commercial firm without the express written permission of the professor teaching this course. In addition, students in this class are not authorized to provide class notes or other class-related materials to any other person or entity, other than sharing them directly with another student taking the class for purposes of studying, without prior written permission from the professor teaching this course

 

Grading:

Class Participation 20%

In-class 10% | Postings 10%

Two Abstracts 10%

Responses 15%

Paper #1 15%

Paper #2 30%

Annot. Biblio 5% | Abstract 5% | Paper 20%

Public Scholarship 10%