SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Study Guide For Independent Study

LIT-2120 Introduction to Literature

Professor Jerry Blanton

Email: jblanton@mdc.edu

Welcome to independent studies! Please read this syllabus in its entirety and sign the course contract at the end of this package. Since your professor does not provide regularly scheduled lectures, you the student must be responsible for your own study and testing schedule in order to meet the deadlines.

Miami Dade College Gordon Rule Writing Rubric Spring 2007

Demonstrates Emerging CollegeLevel Writing 1 Wavers in purpose. Incompletely addresses assigned topic or directions. Shows need for more study of issues. Style uneven. Demonstrates Satisfactory CollegeLevel Writing 2 Adheres to purpose, fulfills assignment. Shows adequate understanding of key issues. Style generally appropriate to intended audience. Demonstrates Proficient College-Level Writing 3 Communicates purpose clearly. Shows full understanding of issues. Style consistently effective for intended audience. Demonstrates Exemplary College-Level Writing 4 Communicates purpose with sophistication. Beyond understanding of issues, shows insight. Style engages audience, establishes writers credibility.

Addresses Purpose and Audience

Demonstrates Emerging CollegeLevel Writing 1 Loose focus on central idea. Demonstrates Effective Organization of Content Contains some repetition and digression. Paragraph structure weak.

Demonstrates Satisfactory College-Level Writing 2 Central idea evident. Paragraph structure sometimes supports content. Consistency, logic and transitions show some weaknesses.

Demonstrates Proficient College-Level Writing 3 Central idea clear. Paragraph structure uniformly supports content. Consistency, logic and transitions well managed.

Demonstrates Exemplary College-Level Writing 4 Central idea clear. Paragraph structure consistently and effectively supports content. Clear logic and effective transitions.

Demonstrates Emerging CollegeLevel Writing 1 Frequent errors in word choice. Employs Effective Language Sentence structure and mechanics seriously affect clarity.

Demonstrates Satisfactory College-Level Writing 2 Word choice correct but simple / without variety. Errors in mechanics and / or usage do not obscure content of assignment.

Demonstrates Proficient College-Level Writing 3 Word choice accurate, varied. Occasional errors in sentence structure. Usage and mechanics do not hinder writers ability to communicate purpose.

Demonstrates Exemplary College-Level Writing 4 Choice of language consistently precise, purposeful. Nearly flawless sentence structure. Usage, mechanics contribute to writers ability to communicate purpose.

The following descriptors will be used effective Spring 2007 as the MDC criteria for college-level writing. The writing will: a. have a clearly defined central idea or thesis; b. provide adequate support for that idea; c. be organized clearly and logically; d. utilize the conventions of standard edited American English; e. be presented in a format appropriate to the assignment. f. use MLA style of documentation.

LIT2120 Introduction to Literature Texts: Booth, A., Hunter, J.P. and Mays, K.J. (2006). The Norton Introduction to Literature. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. Hurston, Z. N. (2005). Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York, Harper Perennial. Bring the professor a 9x12 manila folder in which to keep your work. Week 1: Readings: Introduction, pp.1-11. Fiction, pp. 12-56. Begin reading Their Eyes Were Watching God. Week 2: Plot, pp. 57-105. Narration and Point of View, pp. 106-118. Week 3: Character, pp. 119-164. Setting, pp. 165-194. Symbol, pp.195-214. Take a QUIZ. PowerPoint: Elements of a Story evaluation (1) _______________________________________________________________________ Week 4: Theme, pp. 215-236; The Whole Text, pp. 237-306. Write a prcis of one of the short stories. evaluation (2) _______________________________________________________________________ Week 5: Write a critical analysis of one of the short stories. Examination for fiction. evaluation (3) __________________________________________________________ evaluation (4) __________________________________________________________ Week 6: Poetry, pp. 398-415. External Form, pp 540-559. PowerPoint: Elements of Poetry: Form Week 7: Understanding the Text: pp. 416-466. PowerPoint: Elements of Poetry: Tone. Week 8: Language, pp. 465-480. PowerPoint: Elements of Poetry: Imagery. Week 9: Present your topic for paper for Their Eyes Were Watching God. Language, pp. 481-500. PowerPoint: Figurative Language. Week 10: Language, pp. 501-537. PowerPoint: Elements of Poetry: Music. Take a QUIZ. The Whole Text, pp. 560-635. PowerPoint: Elements of Poetry: Meaning. PowerPoint: Outline of analysis.

Evaluation (5) ________________________________________________________________________ Week 11: Present your thesis for Their Eyes Were Watching God. Write a critical analysis of one of the poems. Evaluation (6) ________________________________________________________________________ Week 12: Present your outline for Their Eyes Were Watching God. Poetry Examination. Evaluation (7) ________________________________________________________________________ Week 13: Drama, pp. 650-779. PowerPoint: Theater: Ancient and Classical. Take a QUIZ. Evaluation (8) ________________________________________________________________________ Week 14: Drama, pp. 780-922. PowerPoint: Theater: Medieval and Renaissance. Week 15: Submit your paper for Their Eyes Were Watching God. Drama, pp. 923-1112. PowerPoint: Theater: Realistic Theater. Evaluation (9) ________________________________________________________________________ Week 16: Drama examination. Drama examination evaluation (10)

Final Grade: COMMENTS: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Miami Dade College Directed Independent Study Course Homestead Campus CONTRACT
I have received and so acknowledge my understanding of all requirements, deadlines, policies, etc., stated in this terms Independent Study Study Guide for the course in which I am enrolled SIGNATURE: ________________________________________________ STUDENT NUMBER: _________________________________________ PRINT NAME CLEARLY:______________________________________ COURSE ABBREVIATION AND REFERENCE NUMBER:____________________________________________________ COURSE TITLE:_______________________________________________ TERM:____________________DATE:_____________________________ ADDRESS:____________________________________________________

TELEPHONE:_________________________ EMAIL:_____________________________________________________ This student has indicated to me that the course policies, procedures, and requirements are understood. _____________________________________________