Syllabus
Note: You can go at your own pace in this course. Starting on September 5, 2023, you may finish the course as soon as you are able. I commit to scoring your work and offering detailed feedback as quickly as I can. This means there are no weekly due dates within the course.
However, there are two final completion date requirements. You must finish this entire course no later than 11:58 PM on [DATE, END OF SEMSTER] — and you must finish the first nine units the week before (no later than 11:59 PM on [DATE, A WEEK EARLIER]), leaving one final week to complete the final unit. You cannot submit anything after Dec. 20. Your grade for this course will be submitted at the end of the semester.
For those new to the college experience, a syllabus is like a contract between student and instructor. It lays out the basic terms for the course, including the readings, assignments, interactions, grading, and expectations for the course. Please read carefully.
Course Description: Introduction to Literature
Literature, storytelling, and artistic expression seem to be human imperatives, something we are hardwired for no matter our time, culture, or place. This course explores these narrative impulses by giving students a foundation in five literary genres — creative nonfiction, fictional short stories, poetry, drama, the novel — and a working knowledge of literary concepts and terms. There will be a heavy reading and writing load for the course, so I encourage you to plan ahead how you will keep up with the coursework.
Introduction to Literature should help you develop the following general education skills:
- Have a fundamental knowledge of human cultures.
- Read critically.
- Take notes carefully.
- Write effectively.
- Reason critically about literature, culture, facts, and values.
Furthermore, general education classes studying the Humanities — the study of various aspects of human culture, such as literature, art, philosophy, history, and language — have additional and more specific goals:
- Explore fundamental questions about human thought and experience.
- Understand how these questions lead to humanities-based insights and knowledge.
- Understand cultural traditions within a historical context and make connections with the present.
- Critically read primary texts with a humanities lens.
- Write effectively to analyze and form aesthetic judgments.
- Properly cite primary and secondary sources. (The primary sources are the text you’re primarily reading and writing about, like a specific poem or novel. Secondary sources are experts’ commentary on those sources, which you might cite to help explain and prove your points.)
We’ll talk more specifically about these concepts as the semester progresses but, for now, be assured that everything we do in class will contribute to your learning in these areas.
Texts
Most of our course readings will be found via online links. You will, however, need to secure a novel for one unit of the semester. Your options are listed below, as well as within the specific units.
Novel options for Introduction to Literature (any edition will be fine):
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- The Princess Bride by William Goldman
As with the novels, students may select a specific number of readings in each unit, which interest them, from the list provided in the Readings lesson for each of the literary genre units: Creative Nonfiction, Fictional Short Stories, Poetry, Drama, and the Novel.
Online Technologies
This course takes place online. We do not meet face-to-face, so it is your responsibility to have the necessary technology and technical know-how in order to function efficiently and effectively in this online learning environment. This online course will use Spark as its learning management system. If you have trouble logging in, or viewing any of the documents and links posted, please contact technical support.
If you have questions about the course itself, please contact your instructor directly. If it concerns a specific assignment, please leave your questions and comments in the feedback areas of each assignment. If you have a more general question or concern, please contact your instructor via the “Messages” area (the envelope icon, at the top right).
Because we are working together online — where misunderstandings are unfortunately common — please take extra care to be respectful, patient, and communicative throughout the semester.
Word Processors
All documents should be uploaded in .pdf format. Also, .doc and .docx formats are allowed.
Southeastern University students have free access to Microsoft Word (and all of Office 365) here.
You may use another downloadable or online word-processing program, like Google Docs or LibreOffice, if you prefer. However, please save and submit your work in PDF format.
This course requires using MLA-style formatting throughout. Please follow those conventions, including writing your name, instructor’s name (Professor Smith or James Smith), course name, and the date in the top left corner on the first page of your uploaded assignments.
Also, please give your submitted assignments descriptive filenames, including your name, the name of the assignment, and whether it is the draft or final version of the assignment (e.g., “yourname – assignment – draftORfinal.pdf”). Please note that some punctuation in the filenames — such as quotation marks, apostrophes, or other special characters — may block your assignments from uploading properly here on Spark.
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
Students commit plagiarism when they submit another’s work as their own, whether purposely or unintentionally. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:
- Having someone else write your essay;
- Taking credit for a sibling’s or classmate’s work;
- Copying or purchasing printed or online text;
- Using artificial intelligence to write your assignments for you;
- Re-using your old writing, even if you are retaking this same course; and,
- Failing to attribute unique phrases, passages, or ideas to their original source.
Submissions in this class may be checked with originality programs that identify similarities to billions of internet documents, a repository of previously-submitted papers, and a variety of other publications — so any attempt to plagiarize is very likely to get caught. This system also checks for patterns in writing by artificial intelligence.
Students who plagiarize will fail the assignment, and/or fail the course, and be reported to the college for academic dishonesty (which can lead to suspension or expulsion). There may also be notes of academic dishonesty placed on official college transcripts, which could lead to difficulties in gaining admission to other colleges or universities, and when seeking future employment, all depending on the severity of plagiarism.
Southeastern University’s Academic Integrity policy states the following:
Southeastern University seeks to foster a spirit of honesty and integrity in students. The University expects graduate students at SEU to embody the same spirit of commitment to high ethical standards and academic integrity in all aspects of their participation within the program.
Therefore, any work submitted by a student must represent original work produced by that student. Any source used by a student must be documented using program-appropriate scholarly references and citations…
Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense at Southeastern University. Plagiarism undermines the educational process, and when done intentionally, violates the integrity of the community.
Plagiarism occurs when a writer (regardless of intent) uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original material without acknowledging its source.
Plagiarism includes the unattributed use of any source, in any medium, published or unpublished.
The policy also applies to incidents of self-plagiarism, resubmission, or multiple submissions (the use of a single project in two or more academic settings either at Southeastern University or another academic institution). Work submitted in another course may not be resubmitted unless both professors specifically state otherwise.
Some examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:
- Quoting or paraphrasing material without attributing it to its source
- Copying segments from the work of others without giving proper credit
- Submitting work written by someone else
- Allowing another student to submit their work to use as his or her own when that individual had not done the work.
Widely known facts do not require citation and do not count as plagiarism if the facts are communicated in the writer’s own words. Ideas and observations original to the writer also do not require citation.
Avoiding Plagiarism
Professors at Southeastern University work diligently to help students understand and avoid plagiarism. However, the responsibility ultimately rests on students to make sure that their work does not contain plagiarism. Students can avoid plagiarism by properly citing and quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing all material they use from sources.
Common forms of citation include parenthetical citations, footnotes/endnotes, and attributive statements such as ‘According to Smith and Rodriguez…’
Quotations include entire sentence(s), key phrase(s), or specific term(s) that match a source word for word. All quotations must be cited using the appropriate quotation format.
Paraphrases and summaries include material (usually information or ideas) taken from a source and put into a writer’s own words. All paraphrased and summarized materials must completely rephrase the original source and be properly cited.
The bottom line in avoiding plagiarism is that students must clearly indicate the material in their writing that is original to them and the material taken from sources.
The consequences of violating Southeastern University’s Academic Integrity policy are spelled out in further detail here.
So, to be clear, if you intentionally cheat by claiming another’s work as your own, failing to cite any referenced material (either from the internet or other sources), having someone else write your essay — including artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT — or reuse old work without instructor permission, YOU WILL FAIL THE COURSE.
If you plagiarize, there will be little that anyone can do to stop the consequences that follow.
Regardless, please remember that simply citing and using sources properly — which is not difficult — is more impressive and deserving of favorable grading during the scoring process.
Grading Scale:
All students will need to earn at least a C- grade (70 percent or higher) in order to pass the course and receive credit for it.
Important Note on Resubmitting Work
All assignments may be resubmitted up to a total of three attempts (unless noted otherwise), with the latest attempt being saved as the final score.
Work must be completed in order, unit by unit.
All assignment scores, within a specific unit, may be resubmitted up to three times for a new grade, as long as they are submitted before moving on to the next unit. Once students submit work to a subsequent unit, the previous units’ grades are final. (If an emergency arises which is deserving of further attempts, please share those with the instructor.)
To receive another attempt at an assignment, please request, in the feedback area for the assignment, that it be sent back or returned. Once returned, the scoring will be reset to zero, and the assignment will re-open for another attempt to be submitted. (Note: If the later attempt is not actually submitted, the score will remain at zero points.)
Scoring Breakdown
The ten units generally follow a pattern: a video briefing, and a selection of readings, then you’ll submit your notes from the readings and ask any questions you have about them. There will be an essay to write on the readings, followed by a quiz, and there’s a very brief completion lesson.
Below is a scoring breakdown of all the assignments, from the most points possible to the least. The maximum points available are in parentheses.
Final Exam and Major Essays (which consider three or more sources):
- Final Essay (200)
- Final Exam (100)
- Thematic Interpretation: Rebellion & Conformity (133)
- Thematic Interpretation: Love & Hate (133)
- Thematic Interpretation: Innocence & Experience (133)
These total 699 points, or 54 percent.
Assignments and Essays (which consider one or more sources):
- Assignment: Thematic Exploration Essay: Drama (50)
- Assignment: Thematic Exploration Essay: Poetry (50)
- Assignment: Thematic Exploration Essay: Short Stories (50)
- Assignment: Thematic Exploration Essay: Creative Nonfiction (50)
- Assignment: Thematic Exploration Essay: Novel (50)
- Assignment: Outline for Final Essay (50)
- Assignment: Reflection Essay (50)
- Assignment: Closing Remarks (50)
- Assignment: Introduce Your Uniqueness (20)
These total 420 points, or 32 percent.
Quizzes and Small Assignments:
- Syllabus Quiz (10)
- Nine unit quizzes (10 points each)
- Eight Notes & Questions assignments (10 points each)
- The Ready to Submit assignment (1 point)
These total 181 points, or 14 percent of the course total.
There are 1,300 total points possible in the course.
Controversial Content Warning
Please note that this college course is intended for college-level students with the maturity to read, discuss, and write about controversial topics in a mature and academic way.
Furthermore, please note that every student taking this course should understand that some college courses deal with human relations or social issues and contain material that, while perhaps inappropriate for many high school students, is generally considered to be appropriate for college students.
Specifically, because this is a literature course, students should assume that controversial content may be present in any of the readings in the course, although care has been taken to avoid unnecessary stress while still addressing important issues in society. Most social evils are presented as such.
However, please be advised that readings in the course may include: abuse, body image, calls for civil disobedience, endangerment and jeopardy, cultural insensitivity, graphic or disturbing content, hate speech, intense emotions, loss and grief, medical conditions and illness, mental health issues, religious discussions, self-harm and suicide, sexual content, substance abuse, trauma, violence (including sexual violence), and social class disparity, discrimination, and related issues of privilege and oppression, including outright racism, classism, sexism, etc.
If you proceed in this course, you are declaring that you have read and understand this policy and that you feel mature enough to take the course at this time.
Please note, however, that the Readings lessons contain a description of the content of each reading. Students will select their readings from the listings in each unit. If something appears as though it might cause you distress, it is suggested that you select other readings, or if you encounter something disturbing, you may stop reading and select something else.
Also note that, because this is an online course that has been set up and programmed ahead of time, alterations in the syllabus, readings, and assignments, within the semester, are not possible.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
It is a federal violation for a faculty member to discuss your academic record with anyone except an appropriate college official. If your parents or any other person wishes to discuss your academic performance, you must provide that information to them yourself, because your professor is unable to discuss academic records with anyone but the student and appropriate college officials.
Instructor Expectations
You will work with your instructor throughout the semester, and your instructor should respond to student contact through the message inbox within one business day. Additionally, your instructor will typically grade submissions within three business days; however, if you don’t follow the pacing guide and you procrastinate submissions until the end of the semester, your feedback could take longer and/or be less detailed which could result in lower grades. Please advance in the course regularly and as quickly as you are able.
Semester Deadlines
The Fall 2023 semester runs from September 5, 2023, through December 20, 2023.
UNITS 1-9 HAVE A FINAL DUE DATE OF DECEMBER 13, 2023, AT 11:58 PM.
UNIT 10 HAS A FINAL DUE DATE OF DECEMBER 20, 2023, AT 11:58 PM.
Due Dates
The assignments in the final unit are due on the final day of the semester, with no exceptions. All assignments in previous units are due one week before the final day of the semester. No late submissions will be accepted for credit so please plan ahead and avoid waiting until the last minute (when a technical issue, power outage, emergency, etc. can occur).
Pacing Guide
Because your instructor may take several days to closely review and grade your assignments, it is strongly recommended to submit assignments following the pacing guide (below) and avoid waiting to submit multiple assignments on either of the two semester deadlines (units 1-9 end on December 13; the final unit ends on December 20).
A typical semester is 15-16 weeks in length (about four months). Please note that this is a sample pacing guide. You are not required to follow it. Importantly, you may choose to go at a faster pace. Also, I suggest beginning reading your selected novel immediately so that you’ve completed your reading before you reach Unit Six.
Note that the following pacing guide assumes the calendar range for the semester will begin on September 5 and end on December 20, 2023. Your time range may vary, especially if you joined us late!
Each assignment or quiz also shows the maximum point totals for those assignments, at the end of each line. I hope this pacing guide will be a helpful reference to gauge what’s ahead and what you’ve accomplished so far. Please refer to it often!
- Unit One: Introduction
September 5 – September 15, 2023- Lesson: Welcome!
- Lesson: Video Briefing for Unit One
- Lesson: Syllabus and Pacing Guide
- Quiz: Syllabus Quiz (10)
- Assignment: Introduce Your Uniqueness (20)
- Quiz: Unit One Quiz (10)
- Lesson: Completion of Unit One
- Unit Two: Creative Nonfiction
September 16 – September 26, 2023- Lesson: Video Briefing: Unit Two
- Lesson: Readings: Unit Two
- Assignment: Notes & Questions from Unit Two (10)
- Assignment: Thematic Exploration Essay: Creative Nonfiction (50)
- Quiz: Unit Two Quiz (10)
- Lesson: Completion of Unit Two
- Unit Three: Fictional Short Stories
September 27 – October 7, 2023- Lesson: Video Briefing: Unit Three
- Lesson: Readings: Unit Three
- Assignment: Notes & Questions from Unit Three (10)
- Assignment: Thematic Exploration Essay: Short Stories (50)
- Quiz: Unit Three Quiz (10)
- Lesson: Completion of Unit Three
- Unit Four: Poetry
October 8 – October 18, 2023- Lesson: Video Briefing: Unit Four
- Lesson: Readings: Unit Four
- Assignment: Notes & Questions from Unit Four (10)
- Assignment: Thematic Exploration Essay: Poetry (50)
- Quiz: Unit Four Quiz (10)
- Lesson: Completion of Unit Four
- Unit Five: Drama
October 19 – October 29, 2023- Lesson: Video Briefing: Unit Five
- Lesson: Readings: Unit Five
- Assignment: Notes & Questions from Unit Five (10)
- Assignment: Thematic Exploration Essay: Drama (50)
- Quiz: Unit Five Quiz (10)
- Lesson: Completion of Unit Five
- Unit Six: Novel
October 30 – November 9, 2023- Lesson: Video Briefing: Unit Six
- Lesson: Readings: Unit Six
- Assignment: Notes & Questions from Unit Six (10)
- Assignment: Thematic Exploration Essay: Novel (50)
- Quiz: Unit Six Quiz (10)
- Lesson: Completion of Unit Six
- Unit Seven: Thematic Interpretation: Rebellion & Conformity
November 10 – November 20, 2023- Lesson: Video Briefing: Unit Seven
- Lesson: Readings: Unit Seven
- Assignment: Notes & Questions from Unit Seven (10)
- Assignment: Rebellion & Conformity Synthesis Essay (133)
- Quiz: Unit Seven Quiz (10)
- Lesson: Completion of Unit Seven
- Unit Eight: Thematic Interpretation: Love & Hate
November 21 – December 1, 2023- Lesson: Video Briefing: Unit Eight
- Lesson: Readings: Unit Eight
- Assignment: Notes & Questions from Unit Eight (10)
- Assignment: Love & Hate Synthesis Essay (133)
- Quiz: Unit Eight Quiz (10)
- Lesson: Completion of Unit Eight
- Unit Nine: Thematic Interpretation: Innocence & Experience
December 2 – December 13, 2023- Lesson: Video Briefing: Unit Nine
- Lesson: Readings: Unit Nine
- Assignment: Notes & Questions from Unit Nine (10)
- Assignment: Innocence & Experience Synthesis Essay (133)
- Quiz: Unit Nine Quiz (10)
- Lesson: Completion of Unit Nine
- Unit Ten: Reflection
December 13 – December 20, 2023- Lesson: Video Briefing: Unit Ten
- Lesson: Readings: Unit Ten
- Assignment: Outline for Final Essay (50)
- Assignment: Final Essay (200)
- Assignment: Reflection Essay (50)
- Quiz: Final Exam (100)
- Assignment: Closing Remarks (50)
- Assignment: Ready to Submit (1)
- Lesson: Congratulations!
The total amount possible is 1300 points — spread over 33 assignments.
Scheduling Your Studies
What may also work best for you is to set a daily schedule that is based on your normal daily events, with studying for this course set after a specific daily event. For instance, you might work on this course every day after breakfast or after a morning shower. Or, you might set a schedule where you work on the course on weekdays after getting home from school or work. Or it could be after an afternoon nap, after watching Jeopardy!, or anything else.
The key, for me, has been to schedule things after I finish something else, which I do every day. After a few days, my mind is automatically preparing to work at that time — whether it’s after a meal, some daily ritual, or whatever else I’m in the habit of doing.
Another trick — used by Ernest Hemingway, winner of both the Nobel and Pulitzer prizes — was, near the end of his workday, to stop his writing right before he knew exactly what he would write next. That way, the next morning, he’d know exactly what to do the moment he sat down to write (although he often stood while writing, at what we’d now call a standing desk). Regardless, don’t dilly-dally; dive right in!
So, if you can get on a daily schedule, and work as quickly as you can, I suspect you’ll be done with the coursework well before the end of the semester — without skimping on what you’d like (and need) to learn. That would generally result in more individualized feedback and, likely, a higher grade. Plus, you have the rest of the semester to yourself!
Reading well — and writing well — are skills that, happily, anyone can develop.
However, developing our skills takes study and preparation, along with working at it regularly, to improve and do well.
That is how this course works. That is how reading, writing, interpreting the arts, and critical thinking work. That is how life works.
So, please get to work without delay. The coursework is unforgiving for those who delay beginning.
If you have any questions, about any of this, please ask! I am happy to help you!
