English 2100 - Literature and the Humanities
Mr. Martin

Purpose: This course is intended to be a continuation of English 1102 in attempting to sharpen the student's skills in reading, analyzing, researching, and writing about great works of literature.

Readings:
Madame Bovary B Gustave Flaubert (Bair translation)
The Great Gatsby B F. Scott Fitzgerald
An American Tragedy --Theodore Dreiser
In Cold Blood B Truman Capote
The Scribner Handbook for Writers, Third Edition
a recommended dictionary

Papers :
In addition to at least one inclass paper on Regents' Exam topics, two to three papers of 600 to 700 words, one paper reflecting traditional and internet research techniques will be written on assigned or, in special cases, approved literary and related topics. The library paper and at least one of the analytical papers will be written out of class and will be assigned sufficiently in advance to be completed by the due date without undue pain. Late papers will be docked one letter grade for each day of lateness, and no out-of-class paper will be read unless it is word processed, clearly printed, and accompanied by the notes and drafts on which it is based.

Tests :
A quiz on vocabulary and essential specifics will be given prior to class discussion of all readings. To do well on these quizzes and in the course you must read carefully and look up and learn every word you do not know the precise definition of. There will also be a mid-term essay exam and a final essay exam designed to assess your writing abilities along with your abilities in the reading and evaluating of literature. Make-ups of these exams will be given only in cases of demonstrable hardship.

Course Grade :
Your course grade will reflect the quality of your essays, exams and quizzes, and class performance, with the essays and exams counting approximately 70% and the quizzes and class performance approximately 30%. However, no student without the ability to write with an acceptable degree of clarity and correctness on the final essay exam will receive a passing grade.

Codes :
This course will abide by the University Honor Code and by the Disabilities Code.

Attendance :
The attendance policy is rigid. For each absence over five, no matter the reason , you will lose one letter grade until you fail the course, after which you will be dropped with a W/F. Further, on your third successive absence you will be dropped unless you have previously informed the instructor of your intention to return to class.

Punctuality :
The punctuality policy is equally rigid. If you are not in your seat when roll is taken, you will be docked an absence, and absences for tardiness count the same as any other absence - unless the excuse can compel both the belief and the sympathy of the instructor.

Guests :
Guests are not permitted. This is in accord with university policy.

Consumption :
Cigarettes, beverages, and food of any sort will not be partaken of in class, nor will gum or tobacco be chewed in a manner distracting to the instructor or to the class.

Decorum :
You are encouraged to comment, question, and participate generally in class. To obtain the undivided attention of the instructor and, it is hoped, of the entire class, you have only to raise your hand. Tete-a-tetes , pagers, cellular phones, and rudeness in any form are distractions, however,and, like anything that interferes with the learning process, will not be tolerated in the classroom. Further, your instructor suffers from incipient deafness and will be unable to hear you unless you speak with sufficient volume and clarity.

Office, Phone, & Email :
My office is G-210-D, my phone number is 921-5646, and my email is martinwi@mail.armstrong.edu.