Course Assignments and Grading Criteria
Note: Detailed assignment descriptions will be posted here.
Reading Response Entries
(6 responses: 4 critical + 2 creative; 500-600 words each)
These informal assignments serve to illustrate attentive reading of assigned texts. Evaluation will correspond accordingly, with credit assigned (1) for submitting work on-time; (2) for demonstrating both critical reading of assigned texts and attention to class lecture/discussion topics, particularly by describing insights and connections; (3) for providing thoughtful and relevant responses to prompts, with (4) specific examples from respective readings, while (5) minimizing and/or avoiding summary, repetition, digression, and any unnecessary discussion. Response prompts will appear here (on course blog); entries should appear on student’s blog.
Response 3 — Due: F 09-Oct
Response 2 — Due: F 25-Sept
Response 1 — Due: F 18-Sept
Analytic Essay: Narrative (i.e. “Close Reading” Assignment)
Due: 16-Oct (1800 words; no secondary sources)
This essay will present an analysis of one novel we’ve read using our method and topics from Abbott; support for this interpretation will be discussion of (only) textual evidence. We will practice this interpretive method during most class meetings; additionally, I will review essay-writing strategies during essay workshops.
Detailed assignment description with evaluation criteria available here.
“Final Project: Multimedia Narrative” (Critical Project – Creative Form)
Due: 7-Dec (2000 words; minimum 4 sources)
Composed for web, as hypertext narrative; posted on blog. Using the method extensively developed by Prof. Gregory L. Ulmer, this project addresses one of our critical issues concerning American culture.
The innovative presentation reflects our lessons and insights from the novels we will have read—specifically their expression of unique experience through experimental forms, particularly non-linear narrative and historical elements. In “hybrid” fashion, we will write with texts from a variety of sources, including fiction (2 sources), “scholarly discourse” (2 sources), autobiography, family history, and images. This composition technique integrates historical information and cultural material, as well as our personal experience—in the same style as our authors, (extracting techniques from our “objects of study”).
More detailed description here — Progress Checkpoint (07-Dec) here
Blog Entries
1 minimum per week, beginning week 2; (100-200 words. Credit/no credit assigned).
Every student will create and maintain a blog throughout the semester: Wordpress (preferred; other hosts allowed)
Weekly entries are informal (ungraded); consider as “Reading Journal”: e.g. post associative links/images, pose questions, note observations, describe insights – particularly connections between texts within and those outside of class. An enjoyable and productive way of engaging our “objects of study,” this on-going work serves as “research” and material for the final project.
Blog entries due Wednesday each week, starting week 2, unless otherwise noted (e.g. weeks 8 & 14).
Note: more instructions/suggestions about blogging coming soon (including setup / “tech. support”)
Extra Credit Opportunities
1) Comment upon or “blog about” a classmate’s entry, (for participation e.c.)
2) Reply to classmate’s Reading Response assignment, (150-200 words; for response e.c.).
Note: Comments must be productive, relevant, perceptive, and above all, respectful in order to receive credit.
3) Compose a critical response on a week when you submit a creative response, (though not vice versa).
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[...] due W 11-Nov (deadline TBA) Review assignment criteria here — also remember extra credit opportunity… note: read instructions closely — three main tasks/objectives. [...]
[...] Review assignment criteria below; — also remember extra credit opportunity… note: read prompt closely — three main instructions. [...]