Professor LLucindarmccoy202006-09-05T01:51:00Z2006-09-05T13:14:00Z2006-09-05T13:14:00Z1128072966017855911.8026Professor L. Cole415 Luther Bonney Hall780-4093, lcole@maine.rr.comENG 150 Topics in Literature: ApesWhy have so many poets, playwrights, and novelists been preoccupied with apes? This question will guide our reading of literary works across three centuries, from the work of William Shakespeare to that of contemporary writers such as Peter Hoeg and Will Self. Throughout, we will be reading with sensitivity to developments in science—the emergence of comparative anatomy, theories of evolution, and studies in language and cognition. Texts in Bookstore:William Shakespeare, The TempestAldous Huxley, Ape and EssenceEdgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan, The Ape ManPierre Boulle, Planet of the ApesWill Self, Great ApesPeter Hoeg, The Woman and the ApeFranz DeWaal, Chimpanzee PoliticsTexts Online:John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, “A Satyre Against Mankind” (also called “A Satyre Against Reason”); Book IV of Swift, Gulliver’s Travels (it will be easier for you to purchase this text, available inexpensively at most used bookstores); Edgar Allen Poe, “Murders in the Rue Morgue”; Franz Kafka “Letter to the Academy” Course Goals:The student successfully completing this course will be able to demonstrate:--The ability to read a work of literature within a given historical and cultural context--The ability to use works of literature from different historical periods to discuss cultural change--The ability to write a college-level essay about a literary work, using correct citation and consistent bibliographical format--The ability to use both the internet and the USM library to locate sources and to conduct researchGrading: All of the above skills are required to pass this course. Students who demonstrate a better-than-average ability to execute them will receive a B. Students whose papers are decidedly more informed and accomplished than those of the majority of their classmates will receive an A. A note on plagiarism: The emergence of internet sites devoted to literary analysis has brought with it the rise of plagiarism in college courses, particularly in lower-division course like ENG 150. When I’m in a generous mood, I assume the increase of plagiarism in ENG 150 can be partially attributed to beginning writers sometimes feeling overwhelmed or insecure. Writing in college is simply different from the kind of writing most people have done in high school. So if you experience anxiety or frustration in writing your papers please contact me for help; do not be tempted to take some other writer’s words or ideas and try to pass them off as your own. Plagiarism is an offense that, at best, will result in your failing this course; at worst, it could result in your expulsion from the university.Course Requirements and Policies: Essays: Your grade will be based mostly upon three assigned essays of 4-6 pages, each of them designed to provide practice in different analytical or interpretive skills, along with a group project. Topic sheets for the essays will be distributed or posted on Blackboard approximately one week before an assignment is due. Final essays must be typed in 11-or 12-pont font with a 1.5 inch margin. They must conform to Chicago or MLA style. (On this, see Diane Hacker, Writing About Literature.)In-class and impromptu writing assignments: On the theory that students should receive frequent feedback, you will sometimes be asked to write short responses which will then serve as the basis of classroom discussion. Such papers will be checked rather than graded.Group Reports: Early in the semester, I will divide the class into groups, each group being responsible for presenting a certain section of Chimpanzee Politics and relating it to one or more works we have read. Each group will generate a handout for the other members of the class. This project will be graded.Extra credit project: Students may choose to research and report on some aspect of contemporary popular culture whose rhetoric seems to be in line with those of our semester’s theme, “Apes.” See me by October 12 if you are interested in this option. Revisions: Revision is an essential part of the writing process and is built into the structure of this course. When you turn in a revised paper, you must include the original. Reading: Every student is expected to come to class having read the assigned material. You owe to this yourself, to the other students, and to me. Should you ever come to class unprepared, please let me know in advance. I will not call on you that day. Should too many students come to class without having read the material, I will be forced to give daily quizzes that will be averaged with the three formal essays in to your final grade. Late papers: This class is organized so as to minimize the possibility of late papers. Papers will be marked down half a letter grade for every day they are overdue. Papers postmarked on the due date will not be penalized. Nor will papers emailed to me before class begins. I will need a hard copy of that paper, however, to grade. You may drop the finished essay by 311 Luther Bonney.Attendance, Withdrawal, Incompletes: Students are expected to attend every class meeting. Should you find your absence is unavoidable, please contact a classmate—not your professor—for notes and any handouts or syllabi changes. No student missing more than five classes may pass this course. Also, please note the university policy regarding withdrawals. I cannot issue you a withdrawal after the posted date. Finally, except under the most unusual, unavoidable, and well-documented of circumstances, I no longer gives “Incompletes.” Please take this into account as you are planning your semester.Office Hours and Contact Information: I will announce my office hours after the first week of class, and hope to meet with each of you at least once during the semester. My office phone number is 780-4093, but I am more easily reached through email. My email address is lcole@maine.rr.com.A Note on My “Teaching Style”: Like all professors, I am often asked “what do you want?” After twenty years of teaching, I’d answer that question as follows: I want students to learn to think for themselves. In practice, this means that my classes (and my grading) try to encourage students to take risks with their work, and although assignments early in the semester are very specific, later they will become less so, as students are expected to generate their own topics and theses. I want students to make connections between works that read in class, but also between those works and material encountered outside of class. Mostly, I want to see signs of a lively and active intelligence, the courage to assert an argument and to support it through concrete examples arranged in a clear and persuasive manner.Working SyllabusPlease note this syllabus is subject to change.I. Early EncountersTuesday September 5IntroductionThursday September 7 Shakespeare, The TempestTuesday September 12 Shakespeare, The TempestThursday September 14 In-class writing: “ape” Tuesday September 19 Shakespeare, The TempestThursday September 21 Lecture: “The Royal Society and Edward Tyson’s Pygmie”Tuesday September 26 Rochester, Satyre Upon MankindThursday September 28 Rochester, Satyre Upon Mankind Tuesday October 3 Swift, Gulliver’s Travels Book IVThursday October 5 Swift, Gulliver’s Travels Book IVTuesday October 10 October VacationII. The Evolving ApeThursday October 12 Documentary: Ape to Man (2005)First Essay DueTuesday October 17 Poe, “Murders in the Rue Morgue”.Thursday October 19 Burroughs, Tarzan the Ape ManTuesday October 24 Burroughs, Tarzan The Ape ManThursday October 26 Film: King Kong (1933)Tuesday October 31 Film: King KongThursday November 2 Huxley, Ape and EssenceTuesday November 7 Huxley, Ape and EssenceThursday November 9 Documentary: Koko: The Talking Gorilla II. The New ApeTuesday November 14 Boulle, Planet of the ApesSecond Essay DueThursday November 16 Boulle, Planet of the ApesTuesday November 21 Self, Great ApesThursday November 23 Thanksgiving VacationTuesday November 28 Self, Great Apes .Thursday December 2 DeWaal, Chimpanzee Politics (group reports)Tuesday December 7 DeWaal, Chimpanzee Politics(group reports)Thursday December 9 Hoeg, The Woman and the ApeTuesday December 14 Hoeg, The Woman and the ApeThird Essay Due Date TBA