World Literature , English 2333 Syllabus

 

Instructor:   Roberta Walden

Instructor Web Site: http://www.tvcc.edu/Faculty/rwalden/

How to Get Started:

As time for classes to begin nears, go to my web site at http://www.tvcc.edu/Faculty/rwalden/   for information about getting started  in class.

If you just memorize "www.tvcc.edu," you will be in good shape to find my web site from anywhere you might be because from anywhere you might be, you can go to the TVCC main web site and click around until you find my web site.  Many students create a page within an online class folder in their own computer to keep class materials and  online class links.  On that page, they include a link to my web site .  Some students like to keep a flash disk for class information so that class materials are portable.

            What to Expect When Getting Started:

Class Management Software The class will use a free   “class management software.”  Beginning the Fall 2007 semester,  the class management software TVCC will use is “Blackboard.”  If you have taken an online course before and used WebCT,  you will find Blackboard to be somewhat similar to what you have used before.   Because of the change from WebCT to Blackboard, however, even if you have taken an online class before, it will be very important for you to consult my web site before going to class.   Even though there are similarities to WebCT, there are some differences which will be uncomfortable unless you get good instructions to help you understand the differences.   If you have never taken an online class before, or if you have never used a class management system, you will get good instructions which will help you learn to navigate it.  

First Communication with Me  It's important to note that I do not receive a list of e-mails of Trinity Valley students who enroll in this class, so  you will not receive an e-mail from me that it is time to start class.  On your own, you will need to visit my web site for instructions which will tell you what you need to do to get started.

Logging into Class   After you  register for an online class at Trinity Valley, your name and class are forwarded to Karen McGrew (kmcgrew@tvcc.edu)  .  Mrs. McGrew and her assistant(s) enter you into the class(es) for which you sign up.  The TVCC distance learning group has a password / ID system they use for getting you signed up.  If, once class begins, you go to the web site I designate but you are not able to log in with the password and ID information specific to you, that means there is one of  several (or a combination of several) problems.  1)  you have not been entered by Mrs. McGrew or her group   2)  the password / ID information they entered for you  is wrong   3) the registration system has not made your name available yet 4) you’re typing in something different than what the group typed in for you 5) you’re going to the wrong website 6) you’re not signed up for the course  for which you meant to sign up

            TROUBLESHOOTING:      

1.  Go to my web site and check to see if there is a message there for you.  Maybe nobody can get in class yet because there is something wrong with the system.

2.  E-mail kmcgrew@tvcc.edu  with a copy to rwalden@tvcc.edu  with the subject line: fall student trouble and your last and first name.   In the body of the message, place your first and last name, your social security number (sorry about this, but the college requires it for identification),  where you registered for your class, your phone number, the class you are concerned about getting signed on for,  a pasted copy of the website where you try to log in, the information you typed in when you tried to log in, and the specific problem you are having (“can’t log in” or “can log in but another class shows up instead of this one” or “can log in and one of my classes shows up but this one doesn’t” or “can log in but my class is not there” or “could log in before but can’t log in now”).    If you changed your password and can’t remember it,  mention that..

Please note that I do not enter you into the WebCT or Blackboard class management system myself.  Trinity Valley employs two distance learning assistants who enter names into the class management software.  If you are not entered into the system by them, you will not be able to access the class.  Still, I want a copy of what you send to them if you are having trouble.  

4.  If Mrs. McGrew says she does not show that you are enrolled in the class and you know that you are, call or go to the registrar’s office and make sure the clerical staff there has  your correct information and ask them when Mrs. McGrew will be able to access it.

5.  If, after giving Mrs. McGrew a day to respond to you, and if, after trying what she suggests,  you still have trouble, forward a copy of the above e-mail to  tspurlock@tvcc.edu  He is the distance learning director and he is a web magician who has tricks none of the rest of us understand.

6.  Call me at 830-591-3372 if the above process fails.  You can call me beginning at 10 a.m. in the morning until 7 p.m. at night any day of the week.                                                                                                         

DO NOT TRY TO “SELF-ENROLL.”      DO NOT ASK THE SYSTEM TO TELL YOU YOUR PASSWORD.   THESE FUNCTIONS DO NOT WORK!
                                                                       

Prerequisite:  English 1302

Instructor Cell Phone: 830-591-3372
 

I keep this phone for my  students, so, clearly, I want you to call me if you want to.  You may call any day of the week, but please do not call me before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m.  Please, please, please always speak slowly and clearly.   If you must leave me a message, say your name, the class you are in, and the problem you are having.  As well, please, please, please say your number twice.  I have often received frantic calls from students whom I could not call because their information was unclear.


Instructor e-mail:   rwalden@tvcc.edu

 

In the subject line of e-mails outside the class management system of Blackboard,  please include your name, your class, and a hint about your question.  The word "help" in a subject line is most UNhelpful.

 

Instructor Office Phone:

 

903-675-6369 (If you get my voice mail, please leave your name, your class and your message. Speak slowly, please, and say your name and phone number twice.)

 

Instructor Office:

 

Room 231 in the Gibbs Building on the Athens Campus (I sometimes walk across campus, so if you want to come by my office, you should call to confirm that I will be in my office at a certain time on a certain day.)

TVCC Catalog Course Description

A study of world masterworks from the Renaissance to the present.  Content includes but is  not limited to writers from Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Russia.  A critical analysis is required as part of the course work, which will also include careful reading, analysis, research writing.  Prerequisite:   ENGL 1302.

Text and References

The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces Expanded Edition in One Volume ,  1997 edition (You may call the TVCC bookstore to have your book delivered to your home).The bookstore number is

903-675-6223.

Readings  will be chosen from this textbook based upon their influence upon local or, even, global  literary styles, politics, or thinking.  

Course Goals:

1.  Students will expand their personal awareness of the diversity of cultures, histories, and ways of thinking as they read and examine literature from around the world

2.  Students will practice their critical thinking skills as “interpret” the texts  they read.

3.  Students will exercise research skills as they examine texts, histories, and ideas.

4.  Students will build communication skills as they participate in online group discussions.

5.  Students will improve computer literacy as they  participate in building electronic projects, submit online essays, take online quizzes,  and participate in online communities.

6.  Students will practice computational skills as they keep track of their grades (smiles to all raised eyebrows).

With a  mind towards the above goals:

A.  Students will become familiar with the authors,  plots, characters, and  textual settings, as well as the  historical, social, and political backdrops of selected texts from around the world. 

B.  Students will become acquainted  with  mythological figures, belief systems, and political hierarchies included in selected pieces of  world literature

C.  Students will analyze emotional, psychological, moral, and political issues in text.

D.  Students will learn to ask and respond to questions about the texts which they are asked to read.

E.  Students will complete an essay project.

F.  Students will participate in different time and place online discussions, and, for extra credit, will participate in group same time online discussions (chats).

G.  Students will participate in assigned group activities.

Course Evaluation / Assessment  (Grades)  (1105 total points possible)

Grade Chart

Activity

Points Possible

Your Points

Weekly attendance / participation 

 

105 points

 

1.__ 
2.__
3.__ 
4.__  
5.__

6.__ 
7.__  
8.__  
9.__  
10.__

11.__ 
12.__ 
13.__
14.__ 
15.__

7 each  X 15 weeks 
____ Total workshop points

Quizzes / Exercises 

There will not necessarily be ten quizzes / exercises.  There may be only 5, but, however many there are, they will add up to 100.

100 Points Total

 

1.___ 
2.___ 
3.___ 
4.___ 
5.___

6.___ 
7.___ 
8.___ 
9.___ 
10.___

 

  ____ Total points

Online Discussions

100

1.___ 
2.___ 
3.___ 
4.___ 
5.___

6.___ 
7.___ 
8.___ 
9.___ 
10.___

Essay Project

100 Points

   ____ Essay Project

Community Activity projects of 50 points each (see note after this table)

200

   ____  Community Activities

Midterm Exam

200 Points 

             Midterm Exam ____ 
    ____ Midx. Grade times  2

Final Exam

300 Points 

             a)Final Exam Grade___ 
    ____ Fx Grade  times  3

Final Grade

1105 points possible

 

(900 points required for A

b) ____ Total Points (with decimal moved one place to the left) 
 

 

Community activities extra credit.   You can earn UP TO 50 points each for such activities as

going to museums, plays, and concerts which are in some way related (culturally, historically,

topically) to an item on the reading list. (200 points total possible)

 

Community activities involve mingling with other people at an event that can in some way be related to an item on the class reading list.

 

Community activity credit works like this: you participate in some activity which involves other humans  (such as going to an outdoor production of a play) . You get someone to take your picture there using a disposable camera .You take the camera to Walmart and get the film developed to disc for about $4.50 (allow yourself at least a couple of days to get the disc back).

 

You submit all your community activity work (you can submit up to four activities) at one time by a date I will give you later in order to claim your credit. To get credit, you will submit a photograph of yourself at the event (or scanned tickets or programs) along with a NARRATIVE REPORT describing the event and its relationship to world  literature as well as its impact on you personally. 

 

Developed: August  1999
 Revised: August 2000, January 2001, August 2001, December 2001, August 2002, December 2002, July 31 2003, September 2003 , July 23, 2004, January 1, 2005, January 17th, 2005, November 3, 2005, August 2006, November 2006; August 2007