Honors 200:  Ideas in Literature

Dr. Sylvia Little-Sweat

Fall 2007

Office:  Burris 211

Extension:  8086

Tel.  704-233-4127

Office Hours:  10-11 MWF, 1:30-3:30MW, 9:30-10:30 TT, 2:45-3:30TT

Objectives:

• To examine social issues in literature from a cross-cultural perspective
• To provide opportunity for an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas
• To analyze literature structurally and critically

Departmental Objectives Observed:

• To use ideas, values, and thematic topics of literary works as the source for effective communication
• To demonstrate understanding of literary genre and terminology
• To demonstrate basic grammar and style for written and oral work
• To develop critical thinking skills through analysis of literature
• To demonstrate proper use of research methods and materials

 Texts:  Earley, Jim the Boy

             Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees

             House, A Parchment of Leaves

             Tyler, Ladder of Years

             Kay, To Dance with the White Dog

             Smith, Fair and Tender Ladies

Expectations:  Students are expected to attend all sessions, to read the texts, to participate actively in discussions, to synthesize materials from other disciplines related to the social issues raised by the course, to word process all writing.  Students may use the Internet for research.  A course project will be due on November 20.  The final novel will be a retrospective look at the various rites of passage covered throughout the semester and will be the source for the final examination.  The course grade will be computed as follows:  50% composition, 30% discussion, 20% final examination.

Honor Code:  All students will be expected to sign the Academic Honor Pledge for all work.  Honor Code violations will be presented by the professor in writing to the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.  Plagiarism or cheating offenses will drop any essay or test to zero.

Course Outline:

August

28, 30                  Introduction to Course and to Rites of Passage in Childhood

September

4, 6, 11                Jim the Boy   Discussions

13                        Rites of Passage in Adolescence  Essay Due

18, 20, 25            The Secret Life of Bees   Discussions

27                        Rites of Passage in Adulthood   Essay Due

October

2, 4, 9                   A Parchment of Leaves   Discussions

11                         Rites of Passage in Middle Age  Essay Due

13-16                    Fall Recess

18, 23, 25             Ladder of Years   Discussions

30                         Rites of Passage in Old Age   Essay Due

November

1, 6, 8                   To Dance With the White Dog   Discussions

13                         Work on Projects in the Library   Essay Due

15                         Work on Projects in the Library

20                          Projects due by 5PM in my office, no regular class today.

21-25                    Thanksgiving Recess

27, 29                    Fair and Tender Ladies   Discussions

December

4, 6                        Fair and Tender Ladies   Discussions

10                           Final Examination at 1:30                   

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