LBST 2212 Literature and Culture

Dr. Marcelle Crickenberger

University of North Carolina — Charlotte

Fall 2007

 “Literature of Resistance and Cultures on the Verge”

Syllabus Course Policies and Calendar

PROFESSOR CONTACT INFORMATION:

Office Location: Fretwell 290A

Office Hours:  Tuesday and Thursday 1:45-3:15 and by Appointment

Office Phone: 

Professor Email: hmcrickenberger@hotmail.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

• This course will examine literary works which demonstrate ways of questioning cultural norms within the context of intense transformation. Through a wide array of poetry, fiction and film, changing notions of self, place and purpose will be explored alongside larger cultural conceptions of identity, geography, technology and economics. We will consider literatures of resistance, transgression, reformation and rebellion in relation to their popular and traditional contemporaries in an effort to rethink and redefine culture and literature.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

• Approximately $40.00 for printing expenses. 
• Access to our Class Website and Course Packet located at www.thelemming.com.
• Blue Books for Midterm and Final Exams
• A notebook for taking lecture notes. (Laptops will be permitted only as medical necessities and will require documentation from UNC-C's administration.)
• Access to a Word Processor, Printer, and the Internet.
• Some means of backing up your work (either CD, email, external hard drive, or jump drive). PLEASE PRINT DRAFTS AS YOU GO TO AVOID LOSING DATA AS COMPUTER CRASHES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE EXCUSES FOR MISSING A PAPER DEADLINE!!!!

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

• The midterm exam (20%) will take place during a single class period and will require you to objectively identify quotations, significant terms, historical figures, texts, and events in the form of short answers.

• The final exam (40%) will be held during the scheduled exam period and will also require you to objectively identify quotations, significant terms, historical figures, texts, and events in the form of short answers; however, it will also include an essay question worth 20% of your final grade.

• The research paper (40%) must be 5-7 pages in length and must take the form of a critical exploration of on of the texts covered in class. You will be given a detailed. A detailed description of the this assignment will be provided later on in the semester as well as an outline worksheet, an explanation of grading criteria, and, and MLA guidelines.

LATE WORK:

• Papers are due at the beginning of class on the day marked on our class calendar.  I allow students to make up exams and turn in papers late only for the most extreme emergencies and unforeseen circumstances; however, I will grant students an extension of no more than 3 days if  they contact me at least 24 hours before the exam or paper due date with an acceptable explanation (medical, legal or family emergencies comprise the most common “acceptable” explanations; however, students involved in performance or sports organizations may also be considered for an extension as well if the paper or exam date coincides with a university sponsored event.  Please be prepared to provide paper evidence or documentation of your circumstances.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

• You will be required to sit according to a seating chart placing you in alphabetical order. Each class I will pass around the Attendance Notebook which you must sign in order to be counted as “present.”  You may miss four classes without penalty. The fifth class you miss will result in a 10-point reduction in your final grade. The sizth class you miss will result in another 10-point reduction in your grade.  The seventh class you miss will result in the grade of F for the class.
• Please be advised that any attempt to sign in for a student who is not present will result in the assignment off the grade of F for the student.

GENERAL POLICIES:

• Talking:  While his class combines lecture material with class discussion and multimedia presentations, it is up to the class as a whole to ensure that what should be provacative and relevant class discussion does not slip into chaos.   For this reason, I ask each of you to please raise your hand before speaking.  Chatter is distracting not only to your professor but to you classmates as well, so please keep conversations to a whispered minimum. 

• Cell Phones:  Please turn your cell phone ringers off and refrain from participating in text messaging while class is going on.  You may be asked to leave if your phone becomes a nuisance.  Under no circumstances may you use your phones while an exam is in progress.

• Tardiness: If you must be late to class, please come in as quietly as possible and take a seat in the back of the class.  If you are no more than one half hour late, you may come up and sign the attendance book at the end of class; however, you will be marked “tardy.”  Three tardies count as an absence.  More than three tardies may be considered disruptive classroom behavior and may result in your being prevented from entering the class late in the future.

• Other Disruptive Scenarios: This professor reserves the right to ask that a student leave class if his or her behavior is deemed to be excessively disruptive. 

GRADING SCALE:

• You must complete all three major assignments in order to pass the class. Failure to take either exam or to turn in the research paper will result in the grade of F.

• See Attendance Policy.

A             =              90-100                     C             =              70-76

B             =              87-89                       D+           =              67-69

B             =              80-86                       D             =              60-66

C+           =              77-79                       F              =              < 60

PLAGIARISM:

• Plagiarism is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “steal[ing] and pass[ing] off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own…[or as] commit[tingling] literary theft: present[ing] as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.” <www.websters.com>.  It is a violation of Academic Integrity and will not be tolerated in this class under any circumstances.  Please be advised that research papers must follow MLA Guidelines for documentation. If you are unsure about the rules governing documentation, you should ask your professor or consult the Writing Center for assistance as this professor reserves the right to assign any student the grade of F for the course if he or she is found to be guilty of committing plagiarism.

ASSIGNED READINGS:

Readings for Aug. 22nd-27th: Jim Jarmusch Ghost Dog Transcript