Brief Description from the COCC Course Catalog

Eng 104 explores human purposes, literary structures, cultural values and rich varieties of the short story and the novel. Close reading, interpretation and evaluation of selected works of fiction, with attention to authors' contexts, creative process, narrative elements (such as theme, character, plot, point of view, setting, symbol, and style) and reader responses. May be taught with WIC designation. Recommended preparation: placement in RD 117 and WR 121.
Credits: 4    

Course Overview

English 104 is one of three courses in the Introduction to Literature humanities sequence. (NOTE: Taking all three courses--English 104, 105, and 106--satisfies the “A” list Humanities sequence requirement for the Oregon transfer Associate of Arts degree.) English 104 will introduce the study of imaginative fiction, focusing on the genres of the short story, the novella (or short novel), and the novel.  As we sample works representing the rich diversity of fiction, students will be guided in analyzing fiction’s major elements, such as plot, character, theme, point of view, setting, style, and symbol. Comparative analysis of these elements will help students understand their functions and contribution to the impact of the literary works.  Biographies and critical commentaries by and about fiction writers and their literary works will acquaint students further with the contexts which have shaped the creation and reception of fiction.

Brief Assignment Descriptions and Weights
(Download the Assignment Instructions and Examples for the Weekly Writing Responses and Critical Review of Sources)

10% Weekly Reader Comprehension/Reader Response Quizzes: You will take 10 quizzes (5 questions each) that cover questions meant to test your comprehension of each week's selected readings. Aside from basic reading comprehension, these quizzes will also ask you to respond critically to the fictional elements (e.g., point-of-view, character, setting, etc.) we cover each week. These quizzes occur frequently throughout the course of the term (sometimes as much as 3 times a week, though usually only twice a week). Quizzes are graded in-class by fellow students and can only be taken in class on their designated day. Again, quizzes cannot be made up (i.e., if you're not in class on the day a particular quiz is given, you cannot retake it at a later time).

15% Critical Review of Sources: You will be responsible for turning in an annotated bibliographical entry and an evaluative review of 3 sources associated with one of the fiction readings assigned on your syllabus. This is a research project that will take you outside our text. You can use credible websites, our library, or any other credible collection of critical articles on narrative fiction to gather your information. The goal of this assignment is to (1) familiarize you with the research process and accepted documentation systems (e.g., MLA), (2) enhance your understanding of the authors we'll be covering in Eng 104, and (3) introduce you to the range of critical perspectives one can encounter when exploring source material on a literary subject. You will provide clear coverage of all the major points developed in the articles you review as well as your own evaluation covering the source's strength(s) to justify why you might recommend this source to another reader--e.g. why is it valuable on this topic?  Any significant weakness or drawback of this source should also be mentioned. Detailed instructions and an example of this assignment will be handed out during Week 1.

25% Writing Responses: Every other week (over the course of the whole term), you will be responsible for turning in a writing response to one of the readings on your syllabus. Over the course of Weeks 1-5 we'll be studying the elements of fiction--theme, plot, point-of-view, character, setting, symbol, tone and style--and your responses will consider and discuss assigned readings in relation to one of the above elements (for example, you might respond to Updike's "A&P" with a detailed discussion of the author's use of point-of-view). During Weeks 6-8, you'll be working with a novel of your choice and will turn in response on this novel during Weeks 6 and 8. The goal of this assignment is (1) to define and engage the literary principles we'll be studying in class, (2) demonstrate the ability to closely read and interpret literary texts and (3) demonstrate effective writing skills. You'll begin your Writing Responses in class as a stimulus for that day's class discussion and then turn in a revised version at a later date. Over the course of the term, you will turn in a total of five Writing Responses (the response with the lowest grade may be revised to improve its grade). Detailed instructions for this assignment will be handed out in class during Week 1.

25% Mid-Term: There is a Take-home mid-term exam that is due Thursday of Week 5 (Note: Class is cancelled on this day; you need only show up to turn in your mid-term). This take-home exam will ask you to focus on a reading from the Stories for Further Reading section of AITF and discuss how the elements of fiction (e.g., character, plot, etc.) discussed during Weeks 1-4 are represented.

25% Self-Designed Final Project: By the end of Week 6, you will be assigned to a group of 6 students. Your group will corroborate on a presentation covering an assigned section of The Fellowship of the Ring (the last piece of narrative fiction we will read, and the only novel, to conclude the term). Your group will be responsible for (1) illustrating and discussing how the author employs the six fictional elements, and (2) providing an evaluation of the section of the story you're assigned based on the criteria we established for evaluating narrative fiction earlier in the term. Your group will present its project to the class sometime during Week 8.
    In conjunction with your presentation, your group will put together an essay that discusses each fictional element covered in your presentation. Each member of the group will be responsible for writing on one of the fictional elements. As a group, you'll put together each member's write-up into a larger collaborative essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion.  This essay will be turned in at the beginning of the class date on which you present. I cannot stress enough that this is a joint project and will only be as strong as the commitment of the group towards the aforementioned objectives. Please get started early, figure out your group dynamic, and consult with me on your project prior to your presentation. A separate hand-out covering this project in more depth will be passed out in class during Week 6.
    The presentation aspect of this project is worth a total of 100 pts and the essay is worth 150 pts.

Late Work Policy: All assignments must be word processed or typed and are due on their respective due dates. On such dates, an open folder will be on the desk at the front of the class. You may place your assignment in this folder at the beginning or end of class. Once class ends, the folder closes and no more assignments will be accepted (i.e., no late assignments will be accepted). Note concerning emailing your assignments: Unless special permission is given, please do not email your assignments to me. Have a hard copy ready at the beginning of class (see above).

 Quizzes, in all cases, can only be taken on the day they are given.

Summer 2005 Eng 104 Required Textbook:

Kennedy X.J. and Dana Gioia. An Introduction to Fiction (9th Edition). New York: Pearson/Longman, 2004.

Other Requirements:

Introduction to a selection of significant works of narrative fiction, representing a variety of authors from different literary periods, the English 104 student will:

A. Build a Knowledge Base of a Major Literary Genres

1. Situate works of fiction within their contexts (e.g. literary historical periods and influences, cultural and biographical background of authors, authorial intentions and critical reception).

2. Explain and illustrate how works of fiction reflect and shape significant aspects of their contexts.

3. Define and explicate key literary elements of narrative fiction, such as plot, character, theme, point of view, setting, symbol, and style.

B. Develop Skills in Literary Analysis & Evaluation

4. Apply close reading, contextual background information, literary concepts and approaches, and multiple perspectives to the analysis and interpretation of works of fiction.

5. Use comparative analysis to demonstrate significant differences and similarities among works of narrative fiction (e.g., between short stories by the same or different authors; between short story and novel or film; between works of fiction from different literary-historical periods).

6. Formulate and apply persuasive criteria to the evaluation of works of fiction-- appropriate to the context and genre of the literary text, and distinguishing between personal responses and literary-critical judgment.

C. Exercise Effective Communication Skills

7. Use effective oral and written communication to express literary interpretations and evaluations--developed both independently and collaboratively.

8. Use well-selected evidence from the literary text(s) to support one’s literary interpretations, analyses, and evaluations.

By the way, one of Jake's own major course goals is to enhance students’ personal, critical, and creative enjoyment of fiction as serious imaginative play. Students will be encouraged to be active learners, close readers, and critical thinkers. Active engagement in course learning experiences will be stimulated through open class discussion, small group seminars, and individual writing. Students will be given ample opportunity to respond to the literary works, consider varied critical perspectives, exchange ideas with other students and Jake, and formulate their own oral and written interpretations and evaluations of fiction. (Diversity of opinion is, to me, one of the most interesting aspects of the course!)

Students are best prepared to succeed in Eng 104 who have already . . .

(1) Have placed in Writing 121 (grade of "C" or better); and
(2) Have placed in RD 117 (grade of "C" or better); and
(3) Acquired basic computer competencies (e.g. in using word processing software, e-mail and internet browser).

This class is both reading and writing intensive. On a consistent basis, you will be expected to read, re-read, analyze, and write about works of literary fiction.