Syllabus Contents:

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Course Description

Texts

Important Georgia Tech Policies

Software and Computing Resources and Requirements
Academic Honesty
Students with Disabilities

Instructor's Policies

Attendance
Late Work
Makeups
Classroom Etiquette
Things to Remember
Assignments and Grading
Schedule of Reading and Writing Assignments

Course Description

The goal of English 1101 at Georgia Tech is to improve students' communication skills by focusing on the discipline of cultural studies. Students learn to read critically and write effectively as they work to develop a deeper understanding of audience and the social contexts that inform communication. Because most social contexts require spoken as well as print communication, students in English 1101 learn how to expand and support their written work with oral presentations. Additionally, students learn how to improve their writing by engaging with a variety of educational technologies. Working within collaborative learning environments, both conventional and electronic, students learn to communicate effectively while exploring the dynamic rhetorics of their own and others' social interactions.

In our section, "Myth, Legend, and Psychological Truth," we will explore the function of myth and other types of lore within cultural groups. Every culture has ways of trying to explain the mysteries of human existence, beginning with explanations for how earth and human life came into being. In examining our own myths along with those of other cultures, we will focus on what these myths reveal about the people--including ourselves-- who create, modify, and sustain them.

The aims of the course are threefold: First, by way of our analysis of myth and myth-making, you will be introduced to cultural studies, which attempts to explain how texts, practices, and material objects function within and inform social situations; secondly, you will develop your analytical and critical skills along with your research and writing skills; and thirdly, you will learn to use internet technologies to enhance individual and collaborative communication skills.

Texts (available at the Engineer's Bookstore):

Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle, eds., Rereading America, Fifth edition (abbrev. below as RA).

Zora Neale Hurston, Mules and Men (preferably the Harper Perennial edition).

Sophocles, The Complete Plays, trans. Paul Roche. (Please be sure to get the Signet Classic edition, translated by Roche. Translations vary widely and we'll all need to be working from the same one.)

Maria Tatar, The Classic Fairy Tales, Norton Critical edition (CFT on syllabus).

The New Century Handbook (NCH) and a good dictionary.

Note: These readings will be supplemented with additional print works available via electronic reserve. We will also incorporate additional media such as films and other visual arts.

Important Georgia Tech Policies

Software and Computing Resources and Requirements

We will meet regularly this semester in a multimedia computer lab and make use frequent use of Internet applications in the lab and from remote locations (i.e. your home or dorm room). All students must of course meet the technology requirements for incoming freshmen at GT. You must have access to your own computer with Internet capabilities to complete the work for this class. We will use e-mail, Web browsers, and several online conferencing applications as a means of communicating both in and outside of class. If all goes according to plan, these tools will enable you to meet with classmates in text and graphical chat rooms, to engage in electronic "bulletin board" discussions, and to participate in collaborative hypertext discussions to complete coursework. You will receive instructions within the first few weeks about how to download and access these applications on your personal computer. Previous knowledge of Internet research, e-mail, and conferencing software is not a prerequisite for this course, but those students who have had exposure to some of these technologies may have an easier time of it. If you have concerns about your abilities, please consult with me as soon as you can. For all students, checking email several times per week is mandatory so that you do not miss any important class announcements or assignments.

Academic Honesty

All work you turn in for this class must be your own work, with all outside reference sources properly cited and acknowledged. All written assignments for this course are subject to analysis via the anti-plagiarism program "Turn It In." Plagiarism and other types of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any form. You are expected to read, understand and comply fully with the policies outlined in the Honor Code. If you are in doubt about how to cite a source or whether a citation is needed, be sure to ask me. My policy is zero tolerance for any type of deception, and I do not want for any of you to find out the hard way how seriously I take this.

Students with Disabilities

If you feel that you may need an accommodation for any sort of disability, please make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities should also contact Access Disabled Assistance Program for Tech Students (ADAPTS) for information and to discuss accommodations. For an appointment with a counselor call (404) 894-2564 (voice) / (404) 894-1664 (voice/TDD) or visit 210 Smithgall Student Services Building.

Instructor's policies

Attendance

English 1101 is an experiential, hands-on course. This means you need to be present every day to the extent that it is humanly possible. Readings, discussions, and activities complement each other, so you need to be in class in order to participate in all components of the course. If you must miss class, my policy is to permit four "freebie" absences. By "freebie," I mean that I do not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences. Your four days need to be used judiciously so that you do not burn all four of your absences by skipping a month of Fridays and then wake up with the flu one day and have no days left. Four is four. Exceptions can only be made in cases of serious illness (such as those requiring hospitalization) and other documentable emergencies. If you miss more than four class meetings, there may be a substantial deduction in your course grade. Minimal absences reflect favorably. Six or more don't, and may result in a course grade of F.

Being late to class should never happen. Of course, we all have our moments, and infrequent lapses may occur. Overall, however, make it a habit to be in class on time. Otherwise, you risk missing important course content (such as instructions or quizzes) which may be over by the time you get there. Keep in mind that when you walk in late, it is distracting to other students. The same goes for leaving early. It is your responsibility to stay on top of what goes on in class whether you are there or not. If you are late, it is your responsibility to stay after class to make sure you have been marked present. Absences resulting from uncorrected lates count towards your four allotted absences.

Late work is generally frowned upon in college and elsewhere, and this class is no exception. Arrangements should be made in advance (and you'll need a documentable explanation). Unexplained late work (or excuses after the fact) will not be accepted and a grade of zero will be assessed.

Makeups: You will be allowed a certain number of drops on daily assignments, quizzes, and in-class activities, but these activities cannot be made up if missed because of lateness, absence or slackness. Makeups on major assignments, such as papers, must be arranged with me in advance of due dates in order to avoid penalties, and you will have to make a pretty strong case in order to be granted an extension.

Classroom etiquette: You are not required to agree with everything you read or everything that is said during discussions in this class. In fact, you are encouraged to read and think critically. Occasionally, our readings and discussions may center on volatile issues about which you and your classmates may feel strongly. An open dialogue is encouraged. However, you are required to treat your classmates and me with respect at all times. In return, you have the right to expect respectful treatment from your classmates and from me. The goal is for our classroom to be a safe place for flexing your intellectual muscles, a place where everyone feels comfortable generating, expressing, and challenging ideas.

Other etiquette issues: Sleeping, eating, drinking, grooming, reading non-course materials, doing homework, having conversations, and other such activities are discouraged because of their disruptive and impolite nature. Your active participation is essential. Nothing interesting will happen in here without your input. In other words, this class will be as interesting as you make it. Coming to class on time and prepared (that means completing all reading assignments and other homework on time and being ready to work when you get here) will help your grade as well as enhance your learning experience.

Personal responsibility: All students will be expected to take responsibility for their progress in this course. You are responsible for communicating with me about problems you are having with the course and for keeping on top of all readings and other assignments throughout the semester. If you are not in class, you must find out from a classmate what important information was covered that day and what instructions for assignments were given.

Things to remember:

1. All hard copies of assignments must be typed and double-spaced, including drafts to be turned in or to be workshopped in class. Please plan ahead with respect to your printing needs. Things frequently go wrong with printers, so waiting until 5 minutes before class starts to try to print is not a good idea. There are computer labs all over the GT campus; it is simply a matter of leaving yourself enough time not only to print but also to formulate and enact an alternate Plan B if your original printing plan is thwarted. A disk is not a draft; therefore, if you do not have a printed copy (or the requisite number of copies for peer editing days) on a due date, you will be assessed a grade of zero for the assignment. All final drafts must have 1" margins all the way around and follow MLA style for formatting (we'll go over this in class). For formal essays, I recommend using Times New Roman 12. For hypertext projects, that's a whole other discussion, which we'll have later!

2. Please email me any time if you have questions or concerns, and know that you are always welcome in my office. There is no need for an appointment if you wish to drop by during my office hours, but please make arrangements with me if you are not free during office hours so that we can set up a time to meet.

3. A final word to the wise: Failure to follow directions is one of my two pet peeves; the other is failure to listen or read carefully when instructions are being given. The first is almost always a result of the second. Points will be subtracted from work which does not properly respond to all requirements of the assignment.

Assignments and Grading

You'll be working on a variety of formal and informal, individual and collaborative, writing assignments and other projects during the semester, from critical essays to chat sessions and online discussion forums. You'll get to work with classmates on oral presentations and collaborative hypertext/media writing projects. Additionally, we'll explore alternative forms of "text," including visual, oral, and musical texts. I expect you will find English 1101 a challenging course, but I also hope you'll find your projects exciting and rewarding. Here's how the course breaks down:

Schedule of Reading and Writing Assignments Please note that changes to this schedule will be announced in class and on the 1101 updates page.

Week 1: Defining Myth and Understanding Psychological Truth.
Aug 19 Introduction to course.
Aug 21 "Harmony at Home," (RA 17-21); Graff (RA 26-39).
Aug 23 Coontz (RA pp. 52-68); Crittenden (RA 69-75).

Week 2: Cultural Myths: Family and Gender in "Hansel and Gretel." Exploratory essay and film assignments given.*
Aug 26 "Hansel and Gretel" variants (CFT 179-211).
Aug 28 Bettelheim, "The Struggle for Meaning" and "Hansel and Gretel" (CFT 269-280).
Aug 30 Sexton, "Hansel and Gretel"; Aarne and Thompson (CFT 373-378). Essay and film viewings assigned.*

Week 3: More Ideas about Family and Gender.
Sep 02 No school! Labor Day!
Sep 04 "True Women and Real Men," (RA 402-406); Tocqueville (RA 407-411); Devor (RA 414-423).
Sep 06 Zipes (CFT 332-352).

Week 4: Family and Gender: Print and film versions of "Snow White."
Sep 09 "Snow White" print variants (CFT 74-100).
Sep 11 Come to class having seen an alternative (non-Disney) film version of "Snow White".
Sep 13 First draft of exploratory essay due. Please bring at least two copies.

Week 5: Family and Gender. Masculinity and "Bluebeard" variants. Exploratory essays due Friday.
Sep 16 Katz (RA 466-476); NY Times (RA 476-479); "Bluebeard" variants (CFT 138-156)
Sep 18 Atwood (CFT 156-178)
Sep 20 Exploratory essay due and informal presentations. *Film viewing activity assigned.*

Week 6: Myths of the American Frontier. Drop deadline 9/27. *Analytical essay assigned.*
Sep 23 "Westward Ho!" (RA 676-682); ee cummings, "buffalo bill's" (online).
Sep 25 Rose (RA 691-694); Stegner (RA 694-705). *Analytical essay assigned.*
Sep 27 Erdrich (RA 705-707); Momaday (RA 734-749). *Film assignment due.* Drop deadline.

Week 7: Ancient Greece and the Tragic Hero; Sophocles' Oedipus Cycle. *Interpretive project assigned.*
Sep 30 Oedipus the King (Sophocles 211-243; up to Third Episode).
Oct 02 Oedipus the King (Sophocles 243-263). *Interpretive project assigned.*
Oct 04 Oedipus the King.

Week 8: The Oedipus Cycle continued. *End-of-semester Collaborative Project assigned.*
Oct 07 *Collaborative Project assigned.*
Oct 09 Work on interpretive projects.
Oct 11 Research Question WebX due by midnight. Work on interpretive projects. Midterm grades. Start reading Sophocles' Antigone (complete by 10/16).

Week 9: Ancient Greece and the Tragic Hero; Antigone.
Oct 14 No school! Fall break :-) Keep reading Antigone to discuss 10/16-10/18.
Oct 16 Discuss Antigone. Please come to class having read the play in its entirety.
Oct 18 Working Thesis WebX due by midnight. Discuss Oedipus and Antigone. Groups report on progress on interpretive projects.

Week 10: Ancient Greece
Oct 21 Continue class discussion of plays.
Oct 23 Informal proposal/outline due for Analytical Essay. Discussion topic: Formulating a thesis.
Oct 25 Work on interpretive projects.

Week 11: Ancient Greece: Conclusions. *Interpretive projects due.* Begin reading Hurston's Mules and Men.
Oct 28 Conclude class discussion of Oedipus and Antigone.
Oct 30 *Present interpretive projects.* See Updates page on class website for schedule of presentations.
Nov 01 *Present interpretive projects.* Begin reading Hurston's Mules and Men (xiii-37).

Week 12: Origin Myths and Explanatory Tales. Discuss Mules and Men. First draft of Analytical Essay due.
Nov 04 Hurston (38-57). Interpretive project group- and self-evaluation forms due by class time. WebX for Intepretive Projects due by midnight Monday.
Nov 06 Hurston (91-107).
Nov 08 Hurston (109-129). First draft of Analytical Essay due (note change from original due date of 11/6). In-class workshop on formulating and developing a concrete, arguable thesis.

Week 13: The Truth (and the Psychological Truth) about Urban Legends. Second draft of Analytical Essay due.
Nov 11 Online readings on urban legends. Discussion of legend and urban legend.
Nov 13 Legend and urban legend.
Nov 15 Second draft of Analytical Essay due (note change from original due date of 11/13). In-class workshop on organization and appropriate use of source material.

Week 14: Third draft of Analytical Essay due. Work on collaborative hypertext projects.
Nov 18 Work on collaborative projects and analytical essays.
Nov 20 Work on collaborative projects and analytical essays.
Nov 22 Third draft of Analytical Essay due (note change from original due date of 11/20). In-class workshop on editing and documentation.

Week 15: Final draft of Analytical Essay due. Work on Collaborative Projects.
Nov 25 Work on collaborative projects.
Nov 27 Final draft of Analytical Essay due. Hard copy must be submitted by 5 p.m., and to turnitin.com by midnight. Work on collaborative projects.
Nov 29 No school! Thanksgiving break!

Week 16, Dec 02-06: Final Presentations of Collaborative Projects.

Finals Week--No class meeting or exam. WebX Portfolios will be accepted until Monday, December 9.

Please note: I reserve the right to make minor adjustments or massive changes to this syllabus as a result of interference from reality. Also, as noted above, additional activities and readings will be assigned in class. If you come to class every day and follow along with any announced changes, you'll never be out of the loop. If you ever have a question about what exactly is expected of you (and when it is expected), my door is always open to you!

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