Analysis of Prose Fiction

What are we going to do in this course and why?
We are going to read six great short stories and three great novels. We are going to understand all of the words of these texts and determine our own stances on the ambiguities of the narratives.
We will talk about why these stories and novels have captured the interest of so many readers and try to trace the way specific words, characters, images, and themes combine to affect the reader.

What will my grade be based on?
Your grade will be based on your class discussion, attendance, and your written perfomance on 5 quizzes, 1 test, 1 midterm, 1 final, and two papers (2 to 6 pages). Class participation will make up 10% of the final grade, quizzes will count for 4% of the final grade each, the other five assingments will each consititute 14% of the final grade.

Attendance Policy: If you miss 1/4 of the class (7 classes), you will either be dropped or fail the course.

Paper Policy: The two papers must be neatly typed or word-processed, or they will receive a grade of zero. The papers must have interesting and original titles, or they will lose 5 points out of a possible 100 per paper. The papers must be double-spaced and correctly cite all quoted material. Plagiarized papers receive a zero, and the student will be turned over to the appropriate disciplinary committee. Ideally the papers will argue an interesting and creative point in a manner that is unified, supported, coherent, and grammatically correct.

Quiz and Test Policy: The days of all quizzes and tests are notified. Unless you leave a verbal or written message for me with a reasonable excuse (and I am the judge of how reasonable the excuse is) before the date of the quiz or test for why you need to reschedule the quiz or test, you cannot make up the quiz or test and will receive a grade of zero. Final exams can only be rescheduled with permission of higher authorities, so plan ahead so we can get all the paperwork done to reschedule the final if necessisary. Medical emergencies, car accidents, kidnappings, and other such rare and extreme situtations will be given special consideration.

Discrimination Policy: All comments made in class should respect the others in the classroom. Any comment that denigrates others on the basis of their sexual preference, their biological sex, their race, their medical or mental status, their religious beliefs, or their status as a veteran violates the civil rights of others and the school policy. Students should speak to me immediately if they feel they have been so victimized, so the proper procedures for school disciplinary action can be taken.