Class Cancelled 4/28/08

Unfortunately, due to powers beyond my control, our English 12 class will be cancelled this evening, 4/28/08.  Please continue working on your presentations for this Wednesday. I apologize for any inconvenience. 

Post your "Top Quoting" Assignment here...

Place your "Top Quoting" assignment here...

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Unit Two: Having Gender While Speaking and Listening

Unit Two: Having Gender While Speaking and Listening

Readings:

"The Return of the Girl" by Darryl McGrath 3/17/08

"If This Car Could Talk" by Peter Steiner and JillPosener 3/17/08

"Bizarro" by Dan Pirarro 3/17/08

"Araby" by James Joyce 3/19/08

"The Jilting of Granny Weatherall" by Katherine Ann Porter 3/19/08

Writing Assignments 

Formal Writing Assignment #2:  Write a dramatic dialogue between two authors we have read thus far in class. In this assignment, students are asked to imagine and write out a hypothetical conversation that would take place between two authors. At this early stage, the conversation need not be focused one one particular topic; however, this dialogue may help students discover the interesting areas of discussion between the two writers. Due 3/26/08

Post Your Identity Response Here

Last night, you were asked to make a connection with one of the stories read from the book What's Language Got to Do With It. Do so here.

Course Overview

KINGSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 

ENGLISH 12: Introduction to Literature

 

“Literature is a frigate to take us away to far away lands.” Emily Dickenson

 

 

 

Instructor:             Professor J. O’Brien                        Spring, 2008  8:10  PM – 10:10 PM

E-Mail            joeyobrien@hotmail.com    Mondays and Wednesdays

Room              M366

Section:            TBA                                                                                               

 

REQUIRED TEXTS:

 

Lawn, Beverly. 40 Short Stories: A Portable Anthology. Bedford St. Martins Press. 2004.

 

Walters, Keith and Brody, Michal. What’s Language Got to Do With It? W.W. Norton. 2005.

 

Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 6^th ed. New York: MLA. 2003.

 

Any dictionary of your choice

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION & GOALS:

 

Emily Dickenson once wrote that “Literature is a frigate to take us away to foreign lands.” It is hoped that through this course you will embark upon a similar journey as you learn to both critically read and analyze texts and grow to understand and be comfortable with the research process. It is hoped that this course will provide you the knowledge and confidence to critically examine both fictional and non-fictional texts, analyze and evaluate literature, and forge a touchstone for the years to come.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

 

As college students, you are expected to come to class on time and be prepared with the materials assigned for that day. In addition, a willingness to participate and engage in class discussion is essential.  You are also expected to complete all assignments and abide by the guidelines stated in the syllabus.

 

ATTENDANCE, LATENESS, & DEADLINES:

 

As a school policy, it is to be noted that you are not allowed to exceed more than four (4) hours.  I understand that this is a late class and many travel vast distances to arrive here, yet, we must make every attempt to report to class on time on a regular basis. Lateness of 10 min or more will count towards your total four (4) hours.  If you are absent or late please make it your own responsibility to contact me as soon as possible.  It is up to you to find out what you missed.

 

OTHER CLASSROOM RULES:

 

Please be kind and mindful of your surroundings as well as your classmates.  ALL HEADPHONES AND MUSIC DEVICES MUST BE OFF AND PUT AWAY upon the start of class.  PLEASE TURN OFF THE VOLUME ON YOUR CELL PHONE. If there is an emergency, or an important call, feel free to quietly step-outside and handle your business.  DO NOT DISTURB THE CLASS.

 

You may bring something to drink and snack on.  Please do not bring a full meal to class.  If you choose to bring food or a drink make sure you throw away your trash when you are done. 

 

 

*            *            *            *

 

If you ever have ANY questions or concerns please feel free to come to me.  I am easily accessible via e-mail.   You may also speak with me before or after class.  If you are unsure about something during class discussion or have your own personal comments to add PLEASE DO NOT hesitate to speak!  Your voice is valued.

 

 

Guy de Maupassant

Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant (pronounced [gidəmopasɑ̃]) (5 August 1850 – 6 July 1893) was a popular 19th-century French writer. He is one of the fathers of the modern short story. As a protégé ofFlaubert, his short stories are characterized by their economy of style and their efficient effortlessdénouement. He also wrote six short novels. A number of his stories often denote the futility of war and the innocent civilians who, caught, emerge changed - many are set during the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s.

Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin (born Katherine O'Flaherty on February 8, 1850 – August 22, 1904) was an American author of short stories and novels, mostly of a Louisiana Creole background. She is now considered to have been a forerunner of feminist authors of the 19th century.

From 1889 to 1902, she wrote short stories for both children and adults which were published in such magazines as Atlantic Monthly, Vogue, the Century, and Harper's Youth's Companion. Her major works were two short story collections, Bayou Folk (1894) and A Night in Acadie (1897). Her important short stories included "Desiree's Baby", a tale of miscegenation in antebellum Louisiana; "The Story of an Hour" and "The Storm."

Chopin also wrote two novels: At Fault (1890) and The Awakening (1899), which is set in New Orleans and Grand Isle. The people in her stories are usually inhabitants of Louisiana. Many of her works are set about Natchitoches in north central Louisiana. In time, literary critics determined that Chopin addressed the concerns of women in all places and for all times in her literature