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 ©Hurst, 2000
Updated 07/27/00

Required Texts:

Gaines, Ernest.  A Lesson Before Dying.  New York: Vintage, 1994.
May, Charles E.  Fiction's Many Worlds.  Lexington, MA: Heath, 1993.
Schlink, Bernhard.  The Reader.  New York: Vintage, 1998.
Tolstoy, Leo.  Resurrection.  New York: Penguin, 1966.

Recommended Materials:

Murfin, Ross C., ed.  The Scarlet Letter: Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism.
       Boston: Bedford, 1991.
A good dictionary and a good thesaurus.

Course Objectives and Course Design:

 This course provides an undergraduate introduction to fundamental issues in fictional literature.  This course is designed for sophomore students of any major.  Students will learn to read and understand various types of short stories and novels, will investigate various aspects of fictional narratives, and will be introduced to some of the main types of contemporary literary criticism.  During the semester we will aim to enjoy reading, to increase our knowledge and understanding of literature, and to develop the critical skills needed for advanced thinking, reading, and writing.  Class meetings will be organized primarily around a discussion format.

Course Requirements:

     Students will conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for a university classroom.
     Students will attend class regularly, having done the assigned reading in advance, and will participate positively in class discussions.  In their language and in their behavior, students will show respect for themselves, their classmates, and their professor.
     Students will take quizzes, some announced and some unannounced, that in total will constitute one of the four major grades of the semester. Students will work together in one group project that will count as a quiz grade.  Students will also take a final exam.  Students will be expected to demonstrate college-level writing skills in completing the quizzes and the exam.
      Students will write two out-of-class papers; specific written instructions for these assignments will be distributed in class.  Students will be required to show evidence of work in progress on their papers during in-class workshops.

How to Get in Touch with Your Professor:

 Visit her during her office hours in 217 English.
 Call her office any time (742-2500, extension 253).
 Send an e-mail message at any time to <maryjane.hurst@ttu.edu>.
 Speak to her before or after class to arrange an appointment.
 Leave a message for her with the secretary in 216 English (742-2501).
 Call her at home (number).
 

FINAL GRADES will be based on the quality of students’ work completed during the semester.  Final grades will be determined by averaging the four semester grades (two papers, one final exam, and one quiz total).

Students are expected to be PRESENT, PUNCTUAL, AND PREPARED each class day.  To avoid being penalized unnecessarily or misunderstood, students should inform their professor of special situations that affect their attendance or their preparation.  The English Department does offer correspondence classes, but this is not one of them.  Ordinarily, students with more than seven absences should expect an automatic F in the course.

CLASS PARTICIPATION is an essential part of this course.  Since everyone will be expected to take part, and since the instructor will view any well-intended and sincere discussions and presentations benevolently, students should set aside any fear or anxiety they may have about public speaking.  Ideas discussed in literature classes can be controversial, and texts in English courses can contain controversial words and expressions.   In our classroom discussions, however, language and behavior appropriate for sensible discussions between educated people will be expected and required.

INDIVIDUAL MAKE-UP QUIZZES OR TESTS will not be administered.  Students who miss a quiz or test should expect to receive a zero for that grade.  In the event of compelling and documented reasons for extended absences (such as a student's hospitalization or a death in the immediate family), the professor will consider making appropriate alternative arrangements.  We will have more than 100 points worth of quizzes over the course of the semester, so the total quiz grade of a student who misses one or two quizzes over the course of the semester will not be adversely affected.

PAPERS will be collected at the beginning of the class period on which they are due.  Any LATE PAPER will be penalized one letter grade for each class period that elapses before the paper is submitted.  No materials other than the final exam will be accepted after the last day of classes.  Other requirements for the papers can be found on a separate instruction sheet.

Students are encouraged to set up CONFERENCES with their professor during her regular office hours or during another pre-established appointment.  Constructive feedback about the course is welcome at any time.  Students must take responsibility for their own learning; if an individual does not understand material or if a person is confused about an assignment or if a student has a suggestion about the class, then that student should make an appointment to talk to the professor.

PLAGIARISM or other forms of cheating will not be tolerated.  Any student found cheating can expect to receive an F for the course and to endure any other penalties invoked by the student's dean.  This is an honors class, and everyone is expected to behave honorably.

Any student with a DISABLING CONDITION who may require special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the professor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations.  Students requesting such services must present appropriate verification from Disabled Student Services in the Dean of Students Office since it is university policy that such accommodations are not made prior to completion of the approved University process.

OTHER INFORMATION about university policies can be located in the Undergraduate Catalog and in the Directory of Classes.  Students with concerns not addressed in this policy statement should discuss their situations with their professor at their earliest convenience.