English 2120 (20942), Fall 2021
Class Time: 11 AM – 12:15 PM, T/Th
Professor: B. Harris
Classroom: Online. Class Link: https://tinyurl.com/English2120Fall21
Office hours: W 2:30-3:30 pm
Office link: https://connectcuny.webex.com/join/bonnie.harris79
Email: bharris@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Online course etiquette
This course meets synchronously; we’ll be recreating an in-person classroom experience to the fullest extent possible on Zoom. In order to facilitate free flowing discussion, you must turn your video on and keep it on through all class meetings. Do not plan to work on other tasks while attending class.
Attendance, Lateness
Attendance is mandatory. You’re entitled to miss 3 class sessions, but there are no excused absences beyond these 3. Class starts promptly at 1. Please make sure to arrive on time; 2 latenesses = 1 absence More than 3 absences will result in a lower grade for the course. Even if you aren’t in class, the paper and assignment due dates will not change—you are still responsible for getting the work to me as specified in the schedule (below).
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is academic theft, and it bears serious consequences. Papers that are plagiarized will receive a zero; you may be expelled from the course. (The works that we’re studying are well-known and there’s a lot of information about them on the web. To avoid plagiarism, I recommend that you do not consult the internet.) CUNY’s policy about academic integrity can be found here: www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/pub/pdf/academicintegritypolicy.pdf
Class participation
It is important you engage both with the texts and with your classmates. I expect you to participate actively in discussions, so come to class prepared to discuss the day’s material, i.e. having done the reading and having made extensive notes on it. Participation is a significant percentage of your grade.
In-class writing assignments
There will be at least one in-class writing assignment on each text.
Grading
Participation/Effort 20%
You will be graded based on attendance, preparedness for class, and other factors indicating participation and effort.
Reading response assignments 15%
You are required to hand in 3 response paper (1-2 pages). In order to adequately complete these assignments, you’ll need to assess the readings critically, not just to say ‘I liked...’ or ‘I disliked...’ Grades will be lowered for late papers. Papers more than one week late will not be accepted.
In class writing 20%
Midterm 15%
Final paper 30%
Students with Disabilities
Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability should contact the disabilities office to learn about their policies and procedures. If you are already registered with the Center for Student Disability Services, please provide me with the course accommodation form.
Learning Center
You can find free peer tutoring and supplemental writing help through the Learning Center. Visit their website for more information: http://lc.brooklyn.cuny.edu/ or call them at (718) 951-5821.
We will be reading a variety of poems, novels, plays and short stories. All of the readings will be uploaded to this site, and submission of assignments will take place on Blackboard; there is nothing to purchase.
Class sessions will consist of a combination of lectures, seminar discussions and small group work. We have a lot of material to cover in a short time; you’ll get the most out of the course (and the best grade) if you’re diligent about keeping up with the reading.
Papers
Three short reading response papers, 300-500 words, see schedule for due dates
Final paper, 1500-2000 words, due Dec 16 (Topics TBD)
Tests
Mid-term, Nov 11
Tentative Schedule (subject to change)
Aug 26 Introduction to the course
Aug 31 Selections from The Bible
Sep 2 Dante
Sep 7 NO CLASS
Sep 9 Dante
Sep 14 Canterbury tales
Sep 16 NO CLASS
(note: 9/14 is the last day to withdraw from courses without grade of “W”)
Sep 21, 23 Canterbury tales
Sep 25 First reading response paper due
Sep 28, 30 TBD
Oct 5, 7 Cervantes – excerpts from Don Quixote
Oct 12, 14 Metaphysical poets, Shakespeare’s sonnets
Oct 19, 21 Othello
Nov 1 Second reading response paper due
Oct 26, 28 Othello
Nov 2, 4 Paradise Lost
Nov 9 Voltaire
Nov 11 Midterm
Nov 16 Voltaire
Nov 18 TBD
Nov 20 Third reading response paper due
Nov 23 TBD
Nov 25 THANKSGIVING – NO CLASS
Nov 30 Olaudah Equiano
Dec 2 Olaudah Equiano
Dec 7, 9 Northanger Abbey
Dec 13 Last day to withdraw with grade of W
Dec 16 Final paper due
