Introduction to Literature
LITE 105
Professor Craig R Mack
Kellogg Community College
Syllabus Spring 2020
How to Contact Instructor:
My office is in the C Building, RM 401-I.
Phone: 269-965-3931 ext 2352
Email: mackc@kellogg.edu
See information under "How to Contact the Instructor and KCC Help Desk" for specifics on office hours.
For questions about the class or an assignment (including computer based ones), the best place to start is to post in the Class Operations forum. I will respond to those questions within 48 hours during the work week. When you do post a question, please feel free to email me to alert me to go and look for your inquiry. I will not respond to the email but will to the post. All questions you might have should be posted because if you have the question, so will other students--we can answer many inquiries at once. Also, if you know the answer to someone's question, do not wait for me to respond--go ahead and post the answer. This will help everyone out!
The exception to this guideline is if you have a question about a specific item on a quiz/exam or a personal issue, such as an illness. Then you should email me directly.
Technical Support: For technical questions or computer issues, please contact the Help Desk--Information Services Dept or call (269) 965-4148 or visit the library on the main campus, where the Help Desk is located. Post in Moodle issues in Class Operations and call the Help Desk simultaneously--you don't need to wait.
See information under "How to Contact the Instructor and KCC Help Desk" for specifics on hours.
The Help Desk will only help with NON-Content questions. Computer or Internet issues--not assignment questions. Please make sure you are using the Discussion Boards for class related questions.
Catalogue Description:
Prerequisite: ACCUPLACER reading score of 60 or at least a grade of "C" in TSRE-55.
The class is designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of literary forms and view them in a variety of contexts. Class analysis of texts will range from reader response to historical criticism and issues of gender bias, cultural views, and authorial intent be discussed.
Studies in critical reading and appreciation of the major forms in fiction, poetry, and drama. Required course for English majors and minors.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, successful students will:
Required Texts:
The Pocket Prof: A Composition Handbook 3rd ed, link on Moodle site or free from the KCC Bookstore
Beloved, Toni Morrison (any version of the text will work)
The Seagull Reader: Poems, Stories, Plays. 4th ed.
Ed. Joseph Kelly ISBN: 9780393631692
This is a three volume box set
Textbooks can be purchased at http://bookstore.kellogg.edu or in person at the KCC Bookstore on main campus, while the Fehsehfeld Center in Hastings, and the Grahl Center in Coldwater may also have copies. They may also be purchased at Barns and Noble or Amazon.
Have your textbooks with you each time you log on to the class site.
Student Responsibilities:
The course goals, grading policies, expectations, and learning outcomes are clearly outlined in this document. Know and understand this information; it is crucial to your success in this course.
Class participation is encouraged and useful interaction is required to pass the class. We will follow the College policies regarding conduct. I expect students to create an atmosphere of respect. No name calling, interrupting, or foul language is allowed. Be prepared with an open attitude that is professional and shows that you are ready to learn. Students are expected to participate actively in all class discussions (documented through your forum posts). Regular online participation is imperative. It is crucial that you plan to log on multiple times per week in order to succeed in this class.
Since it is an Internet class, students are expected to have reliable access to the Internet before class begins that will last throughout the semester in order to succeed in the class. If you do not, you need to be sure this class is for you.
Placement in LITE 105 presupposes a basic competence in English grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling. Analysis posts, exams, and papers will not receive a high grade merely because it is grammatically error-free, but it will also not receive high marks if it is flawed in these areas.
Attendance Policy:
Regular participation is imperative. This class is an inter-active one where student participation is a driving force. Attendance will be taken through the meeting of assignment deadlines--this is how the instructor can tell if you are actually still working on the material in the class. If students miss multiple deadlines with no contact/explanation with the instructor, an excessive absence report may be filed through Student Services.
Consequence for Choosing not to Complete the Course Work:
At the end of each unit, students who have not completed all unit requirements may be encouraged to withdraw from the course. Assignments are due as per the course calendar, and even if you are out of town or experience technical difficulties, you are responsible for turning in all work.
Grades will be computed on a point system. At the end of the semester, the total number of points earned will be divided the the total points possible for the semester. This will determine the percentage. There is no extra credit for the course.
| Assignments | Point Values |
| 3 Exams, 100 pts each | 300 |
| Poetry Assessment | 10 pts |
| 15 quizzes, 10 pts each | 150 pts |
| 27 Analysis Sets (Post and 3 Responses in each set), 10 pts each set | 270 pts |
| Total | 730 pts |
Grade Computation:
Grades will be computed on a point system. At the end of the semester, the total number of points earned will be divided by the total number of points possible to determine a percentage.
| 100-93% = A | 86-83% = B | 76-73% = C | 66-63% = D |
| 92-90% = A- | 82-80% = B- | 72-70% = C- | 62-60% = D- |
| 89-87% = B+ | 79-77% = C+ | 69-67% = D+ | 59% and below = F |
Late Work:
Consult the Moodle Units for all assignments and due dates. All assignments are due BY midnight on the Friday for the week indicated.
If students post or submit an assignment later than midnight (yes, that means at 12:01 a.m.), the assignment can only earn 1/2 credit at the most. Since this is an Internet class, and WiFi connections are everywhere, there will be very few accepted excuses for missing a due date.
As a person who has taken classes online, I strongly suggest that students work a week in advance of the scheduled deadlines. Do not go overboard (don't try to complete all class work in the first three weeks of the semester), but a small cushion will help. Then, submit the work by the midnight deadline for that week. Since there are multiple forum posts and replies due, posting your analysis earlier in the week and then logging in later to reply works well.
If due dates continually clash with work schedules, remember you do have all day to submit before or after a shift, and if you have the work done the day before it's due, it will be a simple matter to submit it on time. This approach allows for unexpected life events and for technology crashes.
Assigned Readings: Readings from the textbooks and the Lecture Links are essential to this course. Students must commit to completing these on time or risk falling behind in the course. Reading assignments may be given on a need-to-know basis, meaning that the reading assignment is integral to the next written assignment. Due by the Friday of week listed.
Analysis Paper Sets: Discussion in as essential component for this class. For this to work, we need to do two things: think about the texts carefully and respond thoughtfully to the text during class. Analysis posts will be led by a prompt and generally focus on a specific work or two. There will be twenty-seven sets for the semester. Each set will include: An analysis post (275 words or more) and three responses (100 words or more) to other posts for each analysis set.
For example, we start with Reading Analysis (RA) 1 and Reading Analysis (RA) 2 assignments both due in the first week. For RA1, students will need to create a 275 word analysis post which uses the prompt supplied AND reply three times to your peers. Then, for RA2, you will need to create a 275 word analysis using the RA2 prompt AND reply three times to your peers. That week, you will post 6 times--3 for each assignment.
If we are going to feel open to share our interesting--and therefore risky--ideas and interpretations, we need to know that our audience is not hostile, closed-minded, or thoughtless. So, we must dedicate ourselves to being friendly, open, and thoughtful. The forums will be run as "monitor lite"--I will not generally reply nor correct posters. This is your area to discuss the readings openly, argue with each other about what the stories mean, and try to come to some type of agreement (or not).
If it does become apparent that I need to remove posts, the offender and I will be having meetings with the Chair of the English department.
Exams: The exams are focused on students showing what they know and working with texts, terms, and lecture information to showcase their mastery of the class ideas. They will be (mostly) short essay, so be prepared to type a lot.
Students may withdraw at any point, using the dates below as a guide:
Last date to drop: TBA
Last date to withdraw: TBA
Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism is using another person's writing dishonestly. If you submit for a grade any work written by an author (professional or non-professional) from any source (published journals or blog entries) other than yourself, you are guilty of academic dishonesty. Kellogg Community College Academic Integrity Statement: The Kellogg Community College policy on Academic Integrity is spelled out in the student handbook. If it is suspected that you are cheating, fabricating, or plagiarizing, there may be serious consequences. The incident will be documented and may be reported to the academic chair and /or program director for possible disciplinary actions up to and including course, program, or college expulsion.
Instructor Syllabus Rights Statement: Information contained in this syllabus was, to the best knowledge of the instructor, considered to be correct and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the semester. However, this syllabus should not be considered a contract with Kellogg Community College and any student, nor between the instructor and any student. The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Kellogg Community College, to make changes in the course content or instructional techniques without notice or obligation.
Kellogg Community College Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 Statement:
Kellogg Community College does not discriminate in the admission or treatment of students on the basis of disability. KCC is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. See Student Handbook for information about student services.