COURSE NUMBER: ENGL 326

COURSE TITLE: Theory in the Classroom

INSTRUCTOR: Philip Mingay

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION: credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 0)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course intends to provide students with the necessary literary and theoretical skills to not only study literature, but potentially to teach it as well.  Students—especially those pursuing secondary Education degrees—will be introduced to a number of core literary texts, from a variety of periods and genres, found in the Alberta Education curriculum. The course will then examine these texts from key critical perspectives such as new historicism and reader-response, treating the texts as case studies for the application of theoretical strategies. 

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Barry, Peter. Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory. 3rd ed. Manchester, England: Manchester UP, 2009.

King, Thomas. Medicine River. Toronto: Penguin, 2014.

Mowat, Farley. Never Cry Wolf. Toronto: Emblem, 2009.

Shakespeare, William.  Macbeth: The Graphic Novel, Original Text. Toronto: Oxford UP, 2010.  

Shakespeare, William.  Macbeth.  Any edition, including Signet, Norton, Oxford, or an online version. 

selected poetry

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The course objective is to introduce students to the importance of literary theory in the study and teaching of English literature.  Students who intend to employ their English degrees in the field of teaching need to understand a text’s various critical and ideological underpinnings in order to teach literature effectively.  This course will reveal how meaning is produced in the key recommendations from the Alberta Education curriculum, and how specific literary theories can develop and expand the understanding and dissemination of such meaning.  Also, it will provide students with 4 core texts that they can ably teach in the future.  Similarly, for non-Education students, the course outlines key concepts in literary and cultural theory that will complement their other English courses.  This course will also introduce basic film theory, as the viewing of film adaptations often accompanies the study of specific texts.  Furthermore, this course will engage students directly with how Christianity is portrayed and not portrayed in literary criticism and theory.  Specifically, the course will not only teach students how to “read” literature, but also provide students with the skills to understand and integrate literature into their own cultural perspectives and worldviews that potentially they will take into their own classrooms. 

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:

• Students who did not submit all major assignments will receive a failing grade in the course, even if the grade is mathematically a pass.
• All assignments must be submitted by the last day of classes.
• I do not accept rewrites of essays or additional assignments for credit. However, I am happy to assist you with any of your assignments to improve your grades.

DEADLINES   

All grades will be assigned using King's University College's alpha scale below (A+ - F). Please make copies of your assignments before submission.  Keep all assignments in electronic form (on file or on usb) until the semester is over and you have received your official final grade. 

A hardcopy of your essay is due at the beginning of class on the due date. Essays submitted past the due date without medical certificate or a prior arrangement with me are deducted one alpha step per day, excluding weekends, to a maximum of five steps. If not submitted in person, late papers must be date-stamped at Reception.  No faxed or e-mailed assignments will be accepted.

In addition to submitting a hardcopy of your essay, you will also upload a copy to Turnitin via our Moodle site.   You may use this site multiple times before you submit your final copy. Your essay will not be graded until your essay has been uploaded. 

PLAGIARISM

Academic dishonesty is a serious offence with potentially disastrous consequences, and I intend to hold you to the highest standards of integrity and honesty. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with University policies regarding scholarly ethics and academic integrity (see current King's calendar).

There is a zero tolerance policy and multiple incidents may affect your academic record. Stiff penalties apply for offenders:

•  First offense = automatic zero on the assignment.

•  Second offense = automatic failure of the course.

•  Subsequent offense = convening of Discipline Committee with power to recommend penalties up to and including expulsion from the University.

Please discuss with me any concerns you may have regarding your research or other matters.  I will also address plagiarism and proper citation methods throughout the semester, and post information on our website.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Students with documented disabilities who desire accommodation must make themselves known to the Student Life Office as soon as possible. In order to receive the services you require, appropriate documentation must be on file; in some instances, additional financial supports may be available. You will need to provide the office with a copy of your documentation that states the nature of the disability and the accommodation services you require.  Requests for accommodations should be made during the first 3 weeks of the semester. Contact the Student Life Office directly in office A125, by email at slo@kingsu.ca or by phone at 780-465-8309.