04 Dec 2007 [ Prev
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4. Course Objectives
Your objectives for this course are to
- gain a broader understanding of the history and future of the book a cultural force
- develop the ability to analyze complex issues relating to knowledge, thought, and literacy; and to evaluate diverse critical perspectives on those issues
- learn the fundamental principles and current theories associated with media studies (as applied to the book)
- strengthen your critical thinking and writing skills
To that end, the course asks you to
- read a wide range of texts (including fiction, scholarly, and popular works)
- discuss the assigned readings (both online and in class)
- write informal responses (several times a week), slightly more involved exercises (about every other week), and academic research papers (a midterm paper of 6-8 pages, and a final paper of 12-15 pages)
- lead class discussions (on two out of four planned classroom forum dates)
While I think the course has value as a stand-alone investigation into the history and future of the book, I think the path we'll be taking through the material will be a bit clearer if you keep in mind these goals for the major portfolio in English:
- Comprehend and interpret literature written in English, representing a wide range of genres, styles, and cultures.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of literary history, appraising texts from the traditional British and American canon as well as writings from popular culture and previously marginalized groups.
- Analyze a variety of literature in discussion and in the writing of critical essays.
- Collect and evaluate information from library and internet sources to compose critical research papers dealing with literature.
- Write and speak effectively in a wide range of formats appropriate to major emphasis: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, critical essay, and oral presentation.
- Discuss and assess significant issues arising in the discipline of English and relate them to the culture at large.
- Evaluate their own reading and writing practices, and examine their place in the evolving field of literary criticism and production
- Exhibit proficient skills in both public communication and research methods which adhere to the standards and conventions of contemporary journalistic practice. [This last goal is slightly different for the creative writing and literature majors.]
The subject of the course was chosen with specific attention paid to meeting these goals (from the list above):
1. Comprehend and interpret literature written in English, representing a wide range of genres, styles, and cultures.
6. Discuss and assess significant issues arising in the discipline of English and relate them to the culture at large.
7. Evaluate their own reading and writing practices, and examine their place in the evolving field of literary criticism and production.
The method of teaching the material and evaluating student performance was chosen with specific attention paid to these goals:
4. Collect and evaluate information from library and internet sources to compose critical research papers dealing with literature.
5. Write and speak effectively in a wide range of formats appropriate to major emphasis: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, critical essay, and oral presentation.
8. Exhibit proficient skills in both public communication and research methods which adhere to the standards and conventions of contemporary journalistic practice.
