Daily Syllabus  

Required Texts: Greenblatt, Stephen, ed, et al. The Norton Anthology: English Literature. 8^th ed. Volume 2. New York: Norton & Company, 2008.

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein (Dover)

Dickens, Charles. Tale of Two Cities (Dover)

Course Objectives: English 246B is designed to introduce the student to British Literature from approximately1800 CE to the present. This time span breaks into four different literary periods: Romantic, Victorian, Modern, and Postmodern. It is the purpose of this class to help the student understand the defining characteristics of each the periods, to read and analyze representative works from each of the periods, and to analyze these works both as cultural and aesthetic artifacts. These general goals can be stated more specifically in the following Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students analyze contributions of major authors to the development of British Literature.

• Students identify prominent features of British cultures as depicted in fiction, poetry, and plays.

• Students recognize literary, cultural, and historical influences on specific texts.

• Students write critical analyses of literary works.

• Students recognize the defining features of the major literary periods and traditions: Romantic, Victorian, Modern, and Postmodern.

• Students identify aesthetic and technical components of genres in British Literature.

Course Requirements. Requirements include daily quizzes (various points), four writing exercises (various points), two exams (1000 points each), and a final paper (1000 points). Final grades are calculated as a percentage of the total points possible. Those students earning 90% or more of the total points possible will receive an "A"; those earning 80% to 89% of the total points possible will earn a "B"; 70% to 79%, a "C"; 60%-69%, a "D"; 59% or below, an "F."

Scholars Honors: This course is coordinated with the Scholars’ Honors Program. If you wish to transfer to a UC campus, you will want to consider this program, for currently students in the program have a 92% acceptance rate to a University of California campus. For more information on the program, see the web site at www.cerritos.edu/shp, or call SHP Director Tim Juntilla at ext. 2828. Those students who want Honors credit should let me know at the beginning of the semester.

Course Policies: Below are five important rules for the class. They apply to everyone equally, whether you be an “A” student or an “F.”

1)      There are no excused absences. If you are absent, you will not be allowed to make up any quizzes, homework, midterms, or final exams.

2)      If you miss five classes in a semester, I reserve the right to drop you from the course.

3)      If you are late for class, you will not be able to take the quiz.

4)      You must bring the current reading material to class. If you do not, I will not accept that day’s quiz.

5)      If you are tardy on the day a paper is due, I will deduct 10 percent from the paper. If you miss class on the day a paper is due, but turn the paper in later in the day, I will deduct 25 percent. If you turn it in the day after it is due, I will deduct 50 percent. I will not accept a paper more than one day late.

Do You Falcon? On iFALCON and English Lit. Survey:

Successful students consistently demonstrate a common set of skills and practices that earn them high grades and enable them to transfer to the schools and programs of their choice, including some of the best in the country. Identifying these skills isn’t a mystery; students who practice the following six habits of mind regularly and with persistence are those who are most successful:

Focus: Successful students focus on the work to be done. They are academically self-disciplined, spending appropriate amounts of time studying. They come to class on time and prepared. They complete all assignments and turn them in on time. They finish their programs.

Advance: Successful students advance by always improving. They embrace lifelong learning. They understand that subject expertise requires a long-term commitment, and commit to ongoing development of thinking skills and learning skills.

Link Up: Successful students link up with the academic community. They get involved. They get to know their professors, study in groups, surrounding themselves with focused students and mentors. They use College resources and programs to help with their learning.

Comprehend: Successful students study for comprehension. They seek to understand course content rather than simply complete requirements. They ask questions to gain understanding, reflect on what they are learning as well as if they are learning.

Organize: Successful students are organized. They plan to succeed. They have an educational goal. They focus on their educational purposes, maintain a specific education plan, and choose classes with an intentional learning purpose in mind.

New Ideas: Successful students embrace new ideas. They are curious, seeking out new perspectives and skills. They transfer concepts to new contexts in order to solve problems. They integrate concepts and knowledge to form a greater personal understanding. So, the question “Do you falcon?” is really asking,

“Do you want to be successful?” If so, then consider how you can practice these six habits of mind on a daily basis. You may need to reorient your attitudes and try out some new approaches to learning. We’ll discuss those habits and opportunities in this class during the semester.

Spend a few minutes each week on the iFALCON website to reorient yourself to those habits of mind and to discover new ideas and techniques for achieving success.