Please note: Read this page carefully. Then go on to the pages that follow. Your first assignment is attached to this section, but you have to work your way through these pages to get there.

Purpose

There are many reasons to study literature. It can provide enjoyment and the experience of beauty; it can help us look into ourselves. It can broaden our outlook by giving us glimpses of other lives and times, as well as insights into our own society. As we examine the worlds the writers present, we will also develop analytical skills that will deepen our understanding and appreciation of fiction, drama, poetry, and this year's UMA Theme Book.

Prerequisite: ENG 101. If you have not completed ENG 101, please go no further. See your advisor and make a change in your schedule.

Activities and expectations

Discussion: Discussion of the readings is the heart of this course.

You are required to contribute to discussions a minimum of twice a week, counting from Wednesday through Tuesday. The total must be 6-8 substantive contributions for full credit. For example, at a minimum you might read the discussion board and post 3 or 4 messages on Thursday or Friday, and do the same again Monday or Tuesday. That's a minimum; students who earn A's tend to check into discussion boards more often.

Promptness matters. Doing much of your work at the last minute will earn you poor marks; we'll be moving on, and neither your classmates nor I will be reading last-minute submissions. Late discussion postings count zero. I will be reminding you of these procedures and requirements in Blackboard.

Please read More about discussion, then return to this page.

Reading notes: Since careful reading and thoughtful reactions are crucial to good discussion, you will also be writing notes on your reading to assist you in discussing well. One page of notes is required each week, submitted according to the instructions provided in Blackboard. These should be posted by Saturday (Sunday at the latest). Reading one another's notes is highly recommended.

Papers: Two 500-700 word papers are required. Complete instructions are provided in the Papers section.

  • One paper is an analysis of a short story or poem.
  • The other asks you attend at a play in your area at any point during the semester.
  • Papers must be submitted according to the instructions provided. Late papers will be lowered one letter grade.
  • Most students in this course have not written papers like these before. Drafts are not required, but I encourage you to submit drafts for feedback. Deadlines will be announced.

Exams: There will be two exams. They must be taken live at a University College Center or Site (or at an approved out-of-state facility) on the dates announced on the Schedule. You will have a 4-day (Friday to Monday) "window" for taking each exam. The dates are on the schedule, and I will be reminding you.

You must register to take the exams. Details about registering and other aspects of the exams are provided in the Exams section of this website. Please contact me immediately if a problem arises in your ability to take an exam.

The required textbook is available at the UMA Bookstore, 1-800-621-0083. Or order online.

    Meyers, The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature, seventh edition. Note: There is another textbook with a similar title. Be sure you get the right one.

    Elizabeth Kolbert, Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change. Get the paperback.

The learning community
The course supports the UMA creed, which pledges respect for one another and openness to diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Some sensitive topics will be discussed, and everyone must feel free to state his/her opinions fearlessly. Disrespect for one another will be subject to the provisions of the UMA Student Conduct Code.

Academic honesty
Violations of student academic integrity--that is, any actions which attempt to promote or enhance the academic standing of any student by dishonest means (e.g. cheating, plagiarism, fabrication and academic misconduct)--will also be subject to the Student Conduct Code.

For details, please see the Student Conduct Code at
http://130.111.160.202/StudentHandbook/default.htm.
Look under Policies and Procedures.

Every word you write in this course must be your own.

There are a few obvious exceptions, like quotes from stories. But please be aware that plagiarism has become a huge problem in online courses. and you need to be sure you understand what it is. Please go to the page on plagiarism and read it carefully.

Grades

Final grades are determined approximately as follows; there may be minor adjustments in the points. Total points = 100.

Discussion
30 points (2.5 points/week )
Reading notes
20 points (1.5 points/week)
Exams
26 points (2 x 13 points)
Papers
24 points (2 x 12 points)

I enter the points are every two or three weeks, so you can track your progress. You can easily check your points in Blackboard by clicking Tools, Gradebook. It's a good idea to check regularly.

Discussion points are based on a balance of quality and quantity, assuming they are posted on time. Please be sure you've read More about discussion, which further explains what's required.

Reading Notes: the format will be explained in Blackboard. You will find more about exams, and the standards for grading papers in the appropriate parts of this Course Information section.

Please note these important rules:

  • Late postings do no one any good, since they can't help with discussion. Last-minute discussion messages and late reading notes will not earn full credit.
  • Late papers will be lowered one letter grade if submitted within one week of the deadline.
  • Missing discussion counts zero and cannot be made up.
  • There is a make-up period late in the semester. You can earn up to 3 missing points. Instructions will be posted in Blackboard.
  • If serious problems arise that affect your ability to do your work well, please contact me.

Working toward success
Here are several important things to keep in mind:

  • I give incompletes only in extraordinary circumstances, such as medical emergencies at the end of the semester. Please contact me if such a situation should arise.
  • Because this is a Web course, you must be self-motivated and conscientious about deadlines and completeness. Assume that you will spend at least the same amount of time that you would in a traditional course. Online lectures and discussion take the place of part of the three hours per week you would normally spend in class.
  • Deadlines matter just as much as they do in live courses, and your full participation is assumed.
  • Discussion board postings typically use casual language. However, they must be spell-checked and reasonably correct grammatically. Poorly-written comments that are difficult to decipher put a burden on everyone and will cost you points.
  • Once the semester is underway, be sure you check all the requirements for each task, and check your grades regularly to be sure you're on top of things. It is your responsibility to monitor your own progress.

Reaching me

The best way to contact me is by email,
either directly at this address or through Blackboard:

Email: kurth@maine.edu

Office hours:
I will have a real-time online chat for
office hours each week.
Stay tuned for an announcement.

You can also reach me at the following:
Office: 207 Belfast Hall (Bangor campus)
Phone: 262-7759
Fax: 262-7751

Continue to Page 2 of the Syllabus and your first assignment.