LIT 2020

LIT 2020: Course Syllabus      


Course Name: Introduction to the Short Story
Term/Session: 20142 - Session II

Course Number: LIT 2020: 
Faculty Contact Information
Instructor Name:
 Dr. Patricia R. Campbell ("Dr. Pat")
Office/Dept. Phone:
954-201-6642
BConline Campus Phone:
954-201-7900
Fax:
954-201-7937
Email:
Please use BConline (D2L) email. Use my BC email ONLY if you
 are unable to access the course email: pcampbe1@broward.edu
Office Hours:
Office: Central Campus, Building #6, Room 140 (English Department)
Days/Time: Monday - Friday: 8:00 to 2:00 PM - I will be in my office
during these days and hours if you need to see me in person.
Online Office Hours:
Day(s): Mondays
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Meeting Location: Chat, Discussion, Pager, or outside program
such as Skype. I will be online during these days and hours.
BC Safety Phone #:
954-201-HELP (4357)
Course Description
Students will engage in analysis of short stories from many countries of the world. Authors may include Edgar Allan Poe, Flannery O’Connor, Toni Cade Bambara, Raymond Carver, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Joseph Conrad, Zora Neale Hurston, and many others.
This online version of the course has been divided into four Learning Units, each with a thematic connection. The four themes utilized within this version of the course are “Finding Oneself,” “Encountering Society,” “The Human Mind,” and “Love and Family.”
General Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
  • Analyze plot structures as used in a variety of short stories.
  • Analyze the various types of characters and their roles in short stories.
  • Identify various points of view used in short stories and the effect of each upon the stories and their themes.
  • Recognize symbols and identify the abstractions they represent.
More on these general outcomes can be found in the official Broward College BC Course Outlines. Please see the individual learning units for more detailed and specific learning objectives.

Course Prerequisites
To maximize your chances for success in this course, make sure that you meet the following course prerequisites:
  • Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites: Since this is a “Writing Requirement” course, in order to register for this course, you must be eligible for, currently enrolled in, or already have taken ENC1101.
Course Attendance and Participation Policy
During the first week of class, you must complete the course orientation quiz or you will be withdrawn from the course. Simply logging into the course will not satisfy your attendance during this time. As with an on-campus course, students who are reported for non-attendance in an online course and are withdrawn are still responsible for paying for the course. If you do not complete the requirements of the first week of class, you should drop the course by the official drop/add deadline or expect to pay for the course.
It is very important for you to actively participate in this online class. If you stop participating in class discussions, do not submit assignments, or fail to take quizzes or tests prior to the withdrawal date, you will be withdrawn from class and receive a W or, if it is your third attempt, an F.

If you stop participating after the withdrawal date, you will receive an F. To avoid this situation, you should remain an active learner in this class and always communicate extenuating circumstances to your instructor. Ongoing communication with the instructor is critical to your course success. Completion of tests, assignments, and other class activities are used as indicators of your participation in order to satisfy this reporting requirement.
See the list of activities required for participation and attendance on the General Course Policies page
General Policies and Technical Requirements
You are responsible for being familiar with all BConline policies and procedures related to your activity in this course.
Broward College Policies
  • Review the Broward College Policies on topics including disability services, academic honesty, privacy, and critical event procedures.
BConline Policies
  • Review the General Course Policies page for topics including rules for netiquette, definition of participation, and other information.
Technical Requirements
  • Students taking an online course are expected to be moderately proficient in using a computer. Please go to the Technical Requirements page for a complete list of computer skills and technical requirements.
Communication and Faculty Response Policy
Communication
  • Use the course email tool only for private, personal, one-to-one communication with a specific individual, or groups of individuals. Do not send course related emails to the instructor's BC email address.
  • In the event that the course communication tools are unavailable for more than 24 hours, the instructor will communicate with students (if necessary) via their BC email address. Access your BC email account at http://www.outlook.com
Faculty Response
  • Course emails and discussion posts will be answered within 48 hours. Emails and submissions sent on Saturday or Sunday, or holidays may not be answered until the next school day. It is recommended that you post course-related questions in the discussion area. Other students may have the same questions as you or may even be able to answer your questions. If you need info related to a test or assignment, plan ahead and submit your questions well ahead of the due date. Additionally, you can contact your instructor during their online office hours or schedule an online meeting. Your instructor is not online 24 hours per day, so please allow time for responses.
Required Text:
Title:          The Story and Its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction, 8th edition
Author(s):   Ann Charters
Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's; (July 16, 2010)
ISBN 13:   978-0312596231

Books for online courses are available at the Central Campus bookstore
A. Hugh Adams Central Campus Bookstore
Admissions & Student Service Center - Bldg. 19
Tel: (954) 201-6830  or  Fax: (954) 201-6895

Publisher Link: 

http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/Catalog/product/storyanditswriter-eighthedition-charters



Methods of Instruction
This is a 3-credit hour fully online course with/without proctored exams. In this class, you will engage in structured out-of-class and online activities. The online activities may include, but are not limited to, readings, discussions, essays, case studies, research, and/or online quizzes and tests. See the course schedule for a detailed description of activities. Students are responsible for regularly reviewing the course schedule and completing all required assignments. During a regular semester, you should expect to spend between 6 to 9 hours a week on the coursework.

Course Schedule and Assignments
Read and refer to this section regularly. It will tell you what assignments you should complete, and how to complete them. Deadlines for assignments, assessments, discussions, quizzes, tests, and all other graded and non-graded activities are posted in the course schedule. Submitting work late will be permitted only under extenuating circumstances and only with prior notification and documentation (original funeral notice, original doctor note, etc.).
Quizzes and Exams
  • Each of the course’s learning units culminates with a series of quizzes on the stories and course lessons that have been covered during that unit. The format of these quizzes will be true/false, matching, multiple choice, and short answer. Each quiz has a strict time-limit, so once you begin the quiz, the timer begins and you must complete it within the limited time provided. 
  • The MIDTERM and FINAL exams and the Assessment Quizzes will only be available for a period of 4 days until the posted due date when the quiz will be permanently closed.
  • When taking either the quizzes or exams, it is crucial that you click “Save Answer” after each question to ensure that it is submitted. If time expires while you are taking the exam, only the questions for which you have clicked “Save Answer” will have been submitted.
  • Collaboration between students and discussion of exam/quiz questions are NOT permitted. Any violation of this will result in immediate failure of the course.
  • You may NOT use any notes, lessons from our site, other websites, or your textbook during the quizzes or exams. These are NOT open-book quizzes/exams. Violating these rules will be a violation of the school’s honor code and will result in failure of the course.
  • You will only be able to attempt each quiz or exam once. Allow time to complete each exam before the closing date and time. Make sure you have a solid Internet connection. If your ISP disconnects you during an exam, that will count as an attempt and you will not be able to repeat the exam.
  • Your score on these quizzes and exams will not be available until AFTER the availability period has ended. At that point, you can view your score and specific questions answered by clicking on the score within the Assessments section of the course.
  • Extra Credit: There will be one extra credit quiz (on MLA Format and plagiarism), occurring near the end of the course. If you score well on this quiz, it will be used to replace your lowest other quiz grade in the course.
Make-up Exam
  • It is at the discretion of the instructor to offer a make-up exam. Make-up exams will only be considered under extenuating circumstances, and with prior notification and documentation (original funeral notice, original doctor note, etc.). Scheduling appointments and vacations are not valid reasons for requesting a make-up exam.
  • If you miss an exam due without the above excused absence, your grade on the exam will be 0%. In the case of an “excused absence”, arrangements for a make-up quiz or exam should be made with your professor by email.
Writing Assignments
  • This course consists of two types of writing assignments:
    1. The Research Paper (at the end of Learning Unit #4). Because this is a “Writing Requirement” course, you must earn a passing grade (at least a 60%) on this paper in order to earn a “C” or higher in this course. If you skip this assignment, the highest grade you may still earn in the course is a “D.” The details of this assignment are explained within Learning Unit #4. You are encouraged to review this assignment at the beginning of the course so that you have a better understanding of the course’s expectations.
  • Plagiarism is the use of another person’s words and/or ideas without specific, properly-documented credit. Within the “Writing Lessons” folder, you will find review lessons on the research process, avoiding plagiarism, and MLA Format. It is essential that you utilize these lessons. If you engage in plagiarism on these writing assignments or anywhere else within the course (such as the discussion board), this will result in immediate failure of the course. Please do not make this mistake!
  • All writing assignments submitted within the Assignments section are checked for originality through the TurnItIn database, which is built into the Assignments tool. TurnItIn checks student assignments for any incidents of plagiarism by comparing these writings against hundreds of millions of texts available in print, online, and in academic databases. If you object to inclusion of your submission in the TurnItIn database, you should withdraw from this course before the end of the first week of class (in order to receive a full refund).
Late Submissions
  • If any writing assignment is submitted late, 10% will be deducted per day late (including weekends). No assignment will be accepted beyond 3 days past the due date.
  • There will be no makeup assignments or extra credit available. Please make sure to complete our course’s assignments by their required date.
  • The only exceptions to this late policy will be those who are able to document a legitimate excused absence. These include serious illness (doctor’s note or hospital admittance), death in the family (funeral announcement, memorial card, or other documentation needed), or similar.
The Discussion Board
  • The Discussion Board is the primary venue for interaction with your peers and your professor. You are required to regularly participate in the discussion board so as to better understand the assigned readings, course lessons, and assignments. Students who succeed in this course tend to be those who regularly read what has been posted within the discussion board and participate thoughtfully in the on-going discussions. You must contribute ONE QUALITY POSTING PER STORY AND PROVIDE 2 RESPONSES (50-WORDS EACH) TO TWO (2) OF YOUR PEER'S POSTINGS for any of the stories assigned for that week. If 2 stories are assigned for the week, post one response per story. If there is only one story assigned for the week, both responses will address the assigned narrative. Do not respond to your own topic and/or question.
  • Instructions for Discussion Postings: When you post, you should respond directly to the questions posed. Posts must be 125 to 200 words, a single paragraph. There's no need for the first person (the use of "I"). As you are already expressing your thoughts, beliefs and opinions in your analyses (backed up by evidence from the text of the stories), there is no need for phrases such as "I believe," "I think," or "in my opinion." These are wordy and unnecessary.

    As with essays, in these posts an objective tone is preferred. As the course progresses, I expect students to use critical language and specific terms relating to the elements of prose fiction (i.e. narrator, character, point of view, irony, conflict, symbol, etc.)

    Posts should ALWAYS name the story (in quotation marks) and the author at the beginning of a post. Always quote a few words and phrases or an occasional sentence from the text of the story. If you refer to the author a second time during the post, use the author's last name only, rather than first name or full name. Please see the Instructions for Making Posts in the Instructions and Guidelines Folder on your Home Page for more details and the post grading rubric. 
  • CAUTION: Do not paraphrase, summarize, or openly copy ideas from another student's post. Such plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students are expect to write their own, fully original responses. After you have made your post, always check back in the next day or so for comments and guidelines from your peers or instructor. 
  • Students are expected to respond to each other's posts. Keep in mind that Discussions are CONVERSATIONS, NOT lectures. Every posting must also be accompanied by 2 peer responses or be subject to a penalty of -2 points. PEER RESPONSES acknowledge the major point of the analysis and contribute to the conversation by adding examples or posing additional points for analysis. Any writing suggestions should be provided at the end of the response, followed with a positive comment. 
  • Post questions in the discussion board topic labeled "Ask Questions here" or email your instructor via BConline email.
Course Schedule
Read and refer to this document regularly. It will tell you what assignments you should complete, and how to complete them. (Even if you do not print out the entire syllabus, you are strongly encouraged to print and save this section)



LIT 2020: 8 Week Schedule: January 7th – February 28th
Unit 1 - Finding Oneself
Learning Outcomes
Date to Date:
January 7-17, 2014
Learning Materials
Assignments & Assessments
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
·       Write clearly and coherently about the search for individual identity amidst society’s pressures as well as the literary devices employed within this unit’s short stories.
·       Demonstrate critical comprehension of setting, characters, and key plot points presented.
·       Analyze plot structures, characterization, point of view, and symbolism as used in a variety of short stories
·       Contribute to a collaborative discussion of the major themes and ideas presented within the selected short stories, seeking to incorporate textual evidence where possible.
Read the Course Introduction and Syllabus found on our course homepage.
Read Lesson #1 (“Elements of the Short Story”) within the Course Lessons folder on our course homepage
Read the following short stories from your textbook (in this order):
1.    "The Kugelmass Episode" (online text) by Woody Allen
2.    “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather
3.    “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” by Sherman Alexie
4.    “A Good Man is Hard to Find “by Flannery O’Connor
5.    “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison
Read the related lessons within the Course Lessons folder only AFTER reading each of the individual stories.
1.       Post your self-introduction within the “Introduction” section of the discussion board by 1/10/14 at 11:59 PM.
2.       Complete the Orientation Quiz by 1/10/14 at 11:59 PM. If you do not complete this quiz by the deadline, you will be withdrawn from this course.
3.       Complete the Quiz on Elements of the Short Story by 1/10/14 at 11:59 PM.
4.       Contribute one quality discussion post per story and 2 peer responses on “The Kugelmass Episode” and “Paul’s Case”
AND complete the quizzes on these stories by 1/10/14 at 11:59 PM.
5.       Contribute one quality discussion post per story and 2 peer responses on  ““The Lone Ranger…,” and “A Good Man…,” and “Battle Royal”
AND complete the quizzes on these stories by 1/17/14 at 11:59 PM.
Unit 2 - Understanding Society
Learning Outcomes
Date to Date:
January 20-31, 2014
Learning Materials
Assignments & Assessments
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
·       Write clearly and coherently about the roles of religion, race, gender, and sexuality in shaping society’s expectations within this unit’s short stories.
·       Demonstrate critical comprehension of setting, characters, and key plot points presented.
·       Recognize, define, and discuss key literary terms and literary devices.
·       Analyze plot structures, characterization, point of view, and symbolism as used in a variety of short stories
·       Contribute to a collaborative discussion of the major themes and ideas presented within the selected short stories, seeking to incorporate textual evidence where possible.
Read the following short stories from your textbook (in this order):
1.     “That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner
2.     “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates
3.     “Hands”by Sherwood Anderson
4.     “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara
5.     “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Read the elated lessons within the Course Lessons folder only AFTER reading each of the individual stories.
1.     Contribute one quality discussion post per story and 2 peer responses on “That Evening Sun” and “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” and “Hands”
AND complete the quizzes on these stories by 1/24/14 at 11:59 PM.
2.     Contribute one quality discussion post per story and 2 peer responses on “The Lesson,” and  “A Very Old Man…” by 1/31/14 at 11:59 PM.
AND complete the quizzes on these stories by 1/31/14 at 11:59 PM.
3.     Complete the Midterm Exam by 1/31/14 at 11:59 PM.
Unit 3 - The Human Mind
Learning Outcomes
Date to Date:
February 3-14, 2014
Learning Materials
Assignments & Assessments
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
·       Write clearly and coherently about the complexity of the human psyche and individual thought processes as well as the literary devices employed within this unit’s short stories.
·       Demonstrate critical comprehension of setting, characters, and key plot points presented.
·       Analyze plot structures, characterization, point of view, and symbolism as used in a variety of short stories
·       Contribute to a collaborative discussion of the major themes and ideas presented within the selected short stories, seeking to incorporate textual evidence where possible.
Read the following short stories from your textbook (in this order):
1.    “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver
2.    “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe
3.    “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane
4.    “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad

Read the related lessons within the Course Lessons folder only AFTER reading each of the individual stories.
1.     Contribute one quality discussion post per story and 2 peer responses on “Cathedral” and “The Fall of the House of Usher” AND complete the quizzes on these stories by 2/7/14 at 11:59 PM.
2.     Contribute one quality discussion post per story and 2 peer responses on “The Open Boat” and “Heart of Darkness” AND complete the quizzes on these stories by 2/14/14 at 11:59 PM.
3.     Submit your Proposal for Research Paper by 2/14/14 at 11:59 PM.
Unit 4 - Love and Family
Learning Outcomes:
Date to Date: February 17-28
Learning Materials
Assignments & Assessments
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
·         Write clearly and coherently about the interrelated themes of love, sex, and family as well as the literary devices employed within this unit’s short stories.
·         Demonstrate critical comprehension of setting, characters, and key plot points presented.
·         Analyze plot structures, characterization, point of view, and symbolism as used in a variety of short stories.
·         Contribute to a collaborative discussion of the major themes and ideas presented within the selected short stories, seeking to incorporate textual evidence where possible.
·         Identify high-quality research sources on selected authors and literary themes.
·         Compose a thesis-driven, properly documented (MLA format) research paper which incorporates multiple primary and secondary sources.
Read the following short stories from your textbook (in this order):
1.       “The Red Convertible” by Louise Erdrich
2.       “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin
3.       “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway
4.       “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston
5.       “Night Women” by Edwidge Danticat

Read the related lessons within the Course Lessons folder only AFTER reading each of the individual stories.

Read the explanation of the Research Paper Assignment contained within Learning Unit #4. Also review the lessons in the “Writing Lessons” folder on the course homepage.
1.     Extra Credit (5 points): Complete the Quiz on MLA Format & Plagiarism(based on the lessons/links in the “Writing Lessons” folder) by 2/21/14 at 11:59 PM.
2.    Submit the Research Paper by 2/21/14 at 11:59 PM. Please upload this to both the Assignments section of the course.
No late papers will be accepted.
3.     Contribute one quality discussion post per story and 2 peer responses on “The Red Convertible” AND  “Sonny’s Blues,” and “Hills Like White Elephants” AND complete the quizzes on these stories by 2/21/14 at 11:59 PM.
4.     Contribute one quality discussion post per story and 2 peer responses on “Sweat” and “Night Women” AND complete the quizzes on these stories by 2/28/14 at 11:59 PM.
5.     Complete the Final Exam by 2/28/14 at 11:59 PM.

EXAM Policy:
  • View your Grades
·         Online quiz and exam grades will be available AFTER the availability period has ended.
·         Grades for assignments will be posted within five BC working days of the closing date of the assignment.
·         Grades for discussion postings will be posted within five BC working days after the discussion has closed.

  • How your Grade will be Determined
Assessment
Graded Points
20 Quizzes (not including the Course Orientation Quiz)
105
Midterm Exam
100
Final Exam
100
19 Discussion Board Postings with peer responses
190
Proposal for Research Paper
10
Research Paper
200
Total
705


Grading Scale
Grades
Percentage
Grade = A
90-100% (634.5 points and above)
Grade = B
80-89.9% (564 to 634)
Grade = C
70-79.9% (493.5 to 563)
Grade = D
60-69.9% (423 to 493)
Grade = F
59.9%-0.0% (422 or less)
Tutoring Services:  The Writing Center is available to assist you in improving your grammar and other sentence-level skills. In addition, you may schedule an appointment with a tutor who will provide feedback on your drafts. On Central Campus, the Writing Center is located in the 2nd floor of the library. On South Campus, the Writing Center is located in bldg. 72.
In addition, one-on-one online feedback for your drafts is available through a service known as SmartThinking. The link to this service can be found by logging into the MyBC on Broward College's homepage. Click here for the SmartThinking Handbook.
Technical Problems:
·      If you need help using BConline (D2L), you can review the step-by-step tutorials
·      For year-round, 24 hour technical assistance use the information below to reach the BConline.
Password Reset:

  • If your password does not work or you forgot it, click this link to reset it: Student Password Reset. If you need further support, please contact the BC helpdesk at 954-201-7521 or helpdesk@broward.edu. It's available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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