Introduction to Critical Reading Mr. Radcliffe
|
Critical Reading introduces the skills necessary to analyse and write about literary works on the college level. The course is designed with English majors in mind, though the skills involved will be useful to anyone working in the humanities.We will study four writers working in four genres spread over four eras, the idea being to cover the different kinds of interpretative issues students are likely to encounter in different situations.We will also look at some critical essays that I will place on reserve. Course requirements consist of class participation (20%), four 5-page essays, one on each of the works we will be discussion, the best three of which will count towards the grade (60%) and a final examination (20%). One essay may be rewritten for a new grade; late essays will be dropped a letter grade. Participation involves regular attendance and joining in discussion. Students are expected to abide by Virginia Tech's Honor Code: all writing done for this class must be your own. Texts:
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:00, and by appointment. Come by to chat about literature, your essays, future plans, whatever. If you need an extension on an essay, come speak with me ahead of time. Attendance: regular attendance is important for a variety of reasons. Most of the instruction in this course is delivered orally, and you need to be there to hear it. Participating in dicussions is a very good way to try out ideas and to get a leg up on analysis. You will benefit from hearing what your classmates have to say about the works. More subtly, attending class and speaking up is a courtesy to others, as group dynamics are important to successful education. Sometimes just being there is half the game. And as you will see, literary interpretation is a participatory act. |
Schedule: 27 September: Fielding Essay due. Final Examination Wednesday 15 December 4:25 PM.
|