| Dr. L. Adam Mekler
English 201.01 Fall 2024 |
Office: Holmes Hall 228
Office Phone: (443) 885-4032
Email@Morgan: adam.mekler@morgan.edu Secondary Class Homepage: http://l-adam-mekler.com/eng201links.htm
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| Any revisions to this syllabus will be posted on our class page. Please check the web page regularly for any announcements, especially if you have missed class. |
Go To Assignments For:
| August/September |
October |
November |
December |
This course focuses on British literature from its early stages up until the eighteenth century. During this time, there were significant changes in the philosophical, political, and religious views of British subjects, both within the United Kingdom and in its developing colonial interests abroad. For that reason, we will examine a number of important historical events over the course of the semester in order to appreciate one motivating factor behind the texts of the period. Of course, the primary focus will remain the literature itself, which we will discuss in great detail, incorporating consideration not only of historical context, but also biographical and intellectual factors as well. Unfortunately, given the constraints of the class, we will be unable to examine all of the readings in the collection. What we will hopefully be able to do is consider the thoughts of a fairly wide range of different writers to get a good understanding of the types of thought and literature produced during the period .
Requirements:
Students are expected to attend every class and are required to
bring all necessary readings with them to class. If you are
forced to miss class, written verification for the reason for your
absence is expected. Because of the importance of regular
attendance, excessive (more than three) unexcused class absences
will result in the loss of points from the final average.
Excessive lates will also lower your grade. The complete
attendance policy can be found on the class homepage . Please come speak with me if you
have any questions.
All assigned readings must be completed before coming to class. On-line versions are available for most readings, so economic hardship, while certainly a reality for many of us, does not constitute a valid excuse in this context.You are expected to arrive prepared to provide thoughtful discussions of the daily readings, raising insightful questions and responding to questions from the instructor or your classmates as they arise.
There will be one (1) brief (800 word minimum) critical response
paper, in
addition to one (1) documented research paper (2000 word minimum), using a minimum
of six documented secondary sources. You will also take part in a
presentation of a minimum thirty minutes to be given during the
second part of the course.
There will also be a midterm and a final examination.
All papers will follow MLA format: Typed, double-spaced, use
parenthetical citations and when necessary, a list of works cited,
including references made to the textbook. (See
sample
MLA Paper ) The main point of
the response papers is to allow you the opportunity to explore
specific aspects of texts that you find interesting in terms of
the major themes and issues we discuss, but the specific focus is
largely up to you.
and let Dr.
Mekler know if anything is unclear. Finally, students enrolled in this course are encouraged to be
active, participating members in the English Society. Dr. Mekler
will discuss the benefits and opportunities associated with this
organization and will explain what such participation will
involve.
American with Disabilities Act
| Quizzes | 10 % |
A: 90-100 |
| Class Participation | 10 % | B: 80-89 |
| Critical Response Paper |
10 % | C: 70-79 |
| Class Presentation |
10 % | D: 60-69 |
| Midterm Exam | 20 % | F: 0-59 |
| Research Paper |
20 % | |
| Final Exam | 20 % |