Selected Studies in Literature Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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Course

ENGL-2341-001 Selected Studies in Literature

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: ENGL 1301 - minimum grade of C or Department Chair consent

Course Description

Intensive reading in single areas unified by genre, theme, major author, period or geographic region with topic determined each semester.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

English Department Plagiarism Policy (Revised Spring, 2013):

The English Department takes plagiarism seriously.

Plagiarism is defined as the following:  the use of someone else’s exact words that are neither quoted nor cited; paraphrasing someone else’s words without citing them; or using someone else’s research without citing it.

Student plagiarism in the Amarillo College English Department is internally tracked.  To clarify, records will be kept in the Department of those students who have plagiarized.  At the beginning of each new semester, the names of students who plagiarized the previous semester will be sent to all English Department faculty. 

Plagiarism may receive a penalty of a zero.  A subsequent infraction will be deemed a reason for expulsion from the class. At this point, the case will be referred to the Vice President of Student Affairs.

Note: Self-plagiarism will be discussed with the class by each instructor and infractions for such are left up to the individual instructor’s discretion.

 

 

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:          Critical readings provided by instructor online in Blackboard

Double Indemnity.  James M. Cain

The Long Goodbye.  Raymond Chandler

Strangers on a Train. Patricia Highsmith

Mystic River. Dennis Lahane

                                                           

Supplies

Notebook to hold class material and notes

Student Performance

PRESENTATION: 

You will present with a group in this course. The topic is yet TBD. 

IN-CLASS LEADING OF A DISCUSSION:

You are responsible for leading discussion in one class meeting this semester. Please sign up for a date. 

ESSAY:

You will be required to write a research paper. The paper should explore an element of film noir and hardboiled crime fiction. (I will provide a list of sample topics.)  The paper should be analytical and defend a thesis with evidence from the literary work as well as reputable outside sources. This paper must be 3-5 pages and use at least two outside (secondary) sources.  The sources should be reputable, college-level sources. Proper MLA-style documentation must be used to credit sources. NOTE: the paper must be turned in on time or late points will be deducted. See research paper handouts in AC Connect/Blackboard for guidance.  You may also meet with me or a free tutor in our Ordway 102 Writers’ Corner for help with this paper.

 

MIDTERM:

The midterm will cover material from classes 1-7.  It will be a combination of short answer questions and an essay question with topic choices.

 

FINAL EXAM:

The final exam will focus on material from classes 9-15 in the form of a comprehensive essay question. 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

CELL PHONE POLICY:

Students are not allowed to use cell phones in class.  If you must carry a cell phone for emergency reasons, it must be turned off or set to an inaudible signal that will not disturb the class.  Give family members and/or school/daycare personnel the phone number of our English Dept. Writing Lab—371-5174—along with the number of your classroom so that a Writing Lab attendant can get you in an emergency.

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:

It is rude/distracting to the professor and fellow classmates to come in late, leave class in the middle of class, or leave early unless there is a real emergency.  Make every effort to take care of personal and phone needs before class to minimize class disruptions.

FILM VIEWINGS

We will be watching several feature films in this class, many of which are in black and white. It is absolutely critical you remain respectful to your fellow students by not talking, sleeping/snoring, playing with your smart phone, etc. Students who violate this will be given a warning and then asked to leave. If you think you will have difficulty paying attention, this class might not be for you. 

Grading Criteria

GRADING CRITERIA/GRADE SCALE:  Your grade will be determined as follows:

Paper 40%

Presentation 20%

Midterm: 15%

Class discussion and participation 10%

Final exam 15%

90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, Below 60=F

Attendance

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class. Students are expected to attend every class on time, participate in class discussions, and complete all assignments.  If during the semester you consider dropping, please check with me first for an alternate plan, one that protects your investment in the course and gives you an opportunity to complete it. Remember that the last day to withdraw this semester is April 21st, 2017.

MAKEUP WORK:

Missed reading quizzes and discussion assignments may NOT be made up.  Reading quizzes promote good attendance and participation—they help ensure that students read the material. Discussion leaders need to be present on the day they’ve been assigned. For other assignments, if you have a genuine emergency arise, please contact me as soon as possible so that we can make necessary arrangements. Otherwise, you are responsible for turning in work when it is assigned.

Calendar

Additional Information

Course Topic

This course will examine the parallel genres of crime fiction and film noir that came to heavily influence American culture throughout the latter half of the 20^th century and into the current one. We will trace its antecedents in German Expressionism and the classic gangster film, and then we will proceed chronologically to noir’s legacy in contemporary cinema. We will also situate these texts in their historical contexts, like the Hays Code, McCarthyism/HUAC/Blacklist, World War II, etc. In one case, the film Gun Crazy (1950) will be paired with the recent film Trumbo (2015), starring Bryan Cranston, which chronicles the travails of blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. Because of time constraints, all films will not be screened during class. Students are responsible for purchasing the four required novels/novellas in the AC bookstore. The two short stories and critical readings will be provided for free in Blackboard. 

For both academic and continuing education students.  Counts as a Literature/Philosophy/Culture credit at AC and a Humanities credit at WT. 

DEPARTMENTAL EXPECTATIONS

All sophomore literature classes will include at least one writing assignment designed to connect the literature being studied to an ethical dilemma, demanding that students communicate their critical thinking as they consider both personal and social responsibility issues.

***As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student’s ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5191.  The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/.  Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is www.actx.edu/arc