ENG 114-WL: General Literature (Short Fiction)
Required books:
The Art of the Short Story, edited by Dana Gioia and R. S. Gwynn
Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction (2nd edition), edited by Lex Williford and Michael Martone
Goals:
 Develop the ability to think critically about literature by practicing several methods of literary study,
including close reading of the text itself, exploration of the text’s cultural and historical contexts, and
application of specialized theories of literary analysis to the texts we read.
 Become comfortable analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating short fiction. These skills will be developed
through reading, writing, and discussion.
 Become familiar with concepts and terms used to talk about literature in general and fiction in particular.
 Think about how literature relates to the world beyond the college classroom. We will consider, for
example, how literature reflects, responds to, and sometimes influences events happening outside the
literary world. We will also think about why people enjoy literature and why it is valuable to individuals and
to society as a whole.
 Make connections between multiple texts in order to see how different authors, from various time periods,
address similar topics and ideas.
Grading:
PARTICIPATION (15%): This course will rely heavily on student participation. Because the best insight into
literature often comes from hearing multiple perspectives, it’s vital that everyone in the class contribute
to our discussions. Contributions to online discussions may be required.
QUIZZES AND IN-CLASS WRITING (20%): You will take several quizzes that will cover our readings and/or
concepts covered in class. Quizzes usually won’t be announced ahead of time. You will also complete
several writing exercises during class time.
W RITING ASSIGNMENTS (30%): You will complete four writing assignments outside of class. You must hand
in all four assignments in order to pass this course.
EXAMS (35%): There will be two exams during the semester (10% each), and a final exam (15%).
Writing to Learn:
STATEMENT OF INTENT: This is a Writing to Learn course and will therefore include a number of formal and
informal writing assignments and in-class writing exercises that will help fulfill the goals listed above.
PHILOSOPHY OF W RITING: We use writing to express what we think, but writing is also a tool that helps us
figure out what we think. In other words, our writing helps other people understand us, but we can also
use it to understand ourselves. Writing about literature—whether through an analytical argument or a
personal response—helps us become more aware of our own ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes.
ENG 114 and General Education
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The English Department has prepared the following statements about how this course reflects the purposes of the
Pittsburg State University General Education requirements.
General Education
This course counts toward the requirements in General Education for your degree program. General Education is an
important part of your educational program at Pittsburg State University that has been designed to implement the
following Philosophy of General Education:
General education is the study of humans in their global setting. The general education curriculum, therefore,
acts as the heart of a university education by developing the capacities that typify the educated person and
providing a basis for life-long learning and intellectual, ethical, and aesthetic fulfillment. General education
examines the world around us and fosters an understanding of our interactions with the world and our place in
the universe. General education celebrates the creative capacities of humankind and helps to preserve and
transmit to future generations the values, knowledge, wisdom, and sense of history that are our common
heritage.
Catalog Description
An introduction to poetry, fiction, and drama. Not open to students with credit in ENGL 304 Introduction to Writing
About Literature.
Goals of General Education for this Course
This course will help you accomplish several General Education goals and objectives, including applying the principles
of effective writing and other forms of communication (Goal 1.2), demonstrating an understanding of cultural diversity
within the United States and in the world at large (Goal 3.ii.3), demonstrating an awareness of the rights of individuals
and groups from diverse cultural, national, and ethnic backgrounds (Goal 3.vi.2), and demonstrating an under-standing
of the relationships of gender, race, and class within and across cultures (Goal 3.vi.3).
ENGL 114 specially emphasizes the following General Education goals in helping you
 distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information in problem solving (Goal 2.1),
 articulate a problem and, using appropriate sources, develop a logical and reasonable response (Goal 2.2),
 apply generalizations, principles, theories, or rules to the real world (Goal 2.3),
 demonstrate the ability to analyze and synthesize information (Goal 2.4),
 recognize the value of diverse cultural, national, and ethnic backgrounds (Goal 3.vi.1),
 demonstrate an understanding of the creative process, both practical and theoretical, and its relationship to an
audience or viewers (Goal 3.v.1),
 make informed critical responses when exposed to artistic endeavors (Goal 3.v.2),
 understand the relationship between the arts and society in a multicultural environment (3.v.3).
 demonstrate an appreciation for the range and diversity of humankind's wisdom, values, ideas, beliefs, and
reasoning (3.viii.1), and
 demonstrate an understanding of human behavior, the human condition, and human institutions in the context of
historical, literary, or philosophical inquiry (3.viii.2).
Course Objectives
This course
1. Helps preserve and transmit literary heritage by reading traditional and contemporary poetry, fiction, and drama.
2. Promotes a global perspective of literatures and cultures through readings by men and women in English and in
translation from other languages.
3. Enriches the reading of the three genres through the use of non-fiction, film, or other media.
Nature of the Course
Each instructor will determine how best to implement the goals and objectives and how to teach the genres as above,
but all students can expect that the course will foster critical reading and critical thinking skills.
Methods
To achieve our instructional objectives, instructors will employ lecture, discussion, and student oral and written
response. Faculty may also employ some combination of other instructional methods, including worksheets, smallgroup work, journals, readings in literary criticism, creative writing assignments, videos and films, out-of-class cultural
events (e.g. poetry readings, etc.), in-class writing, panels, out-of-class responses, role playing, outside speakers, etc.
Assessment
Student work will be evaluated on the basis of examinations and papers. Faculty may also employ some combination
of other evaluation methods, including worksheets, small group work, journals, creative writing assignments, in-class
writing, panels, out-of-class responses, quizzes, etc.
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COURSE POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS
If you remain registered for this class, I will assume that you have read and understand the grading system listed
above and the course policies listed below.
Attendance: Attendance is required. If you come to class late, you will probably be counted absent.
Absences affect your grade as listed below:
- Up to 3 absences: no effect on your grade
- 4 absences: maximum participation grade will be a “B+”.
- 5 absences: maximum participation grade will be a “C”.
- 6 absences: maximum participation grade will be a “D”.
- 7 absences: automatically dropped from the course or (after the drop period) an “F” for the course.
If the student is not dropped from the course, 7 or more absences will result in a course grade of “F”.
Exceptions to these guidelines will be considered (but not guaranteed) only if I receive a written request
from the student explaining why an exception should be made.
Grading: Grades for this course will not be posted on ANGEL. You will receive a grade status report
around the middle of the semester, and you are encouraged to speak with the professor at any time for
an estimate of your current grade.
Missed classes: If you are absent for any reason, you are still responsible for handing in assignments on
time and finding out what you missed, so it is a good idea to ask about what we covered. Students
(such as athletes, musicians, and ROTC members) who miss class to participate in an official University
function must still hand in assignments as scheduled. In the event of an extended absence, please
contact me as soon as possible to let me know you won’t be in class.
Late assignments: Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date specified. A late
assignment handed in at the following class period will receive a maximum grade of “C”. Assignments
handed in later than that will receive a grade of “F,” but you must hand in all four writing assignments in
order to pass this course. This policy does not apply if you have asked the professor for an extended
deadline and, before the day the assignment is due, received permission to hand it in late.
All assignments must be handed in as a hard copy: e-mailed assignments will not be accepted.
Participation: 15% of your grade is based on participation. This includes contributing verbally to class
discussions, responding to questions, participating in small-group activities, and taking part in any other
in-class work. You may also receive participation credit for meeting with the professor outside of class
to discuss our readings and assignments.
Students who arrive unprepared to take part in class activities may be asked to leave class for that day.
A student can be dismissed permanently from the course and/or receive an “F” for the course due to
disruptive or inappropriate behavior that interferes with the learning environment.
Academic dishonesty: Academic dishonesty (including plagiarism and other forms of cheating) will be
dealt with harshly. This includes presenting someone else’s words or ideas as your own without giving
explicit credit to the source. Plagiarism and academic dishonesty can result in the following penalties: a
failing grade on an assignment, failing the course, and being referred to Pitt State administrators for
further action. The usual penalty for obvious plagiarism or cheating is a grade of “F” for the course.
This includes taking (and failing to cite) words or ideas from a book, Web site, another student, a study
guide, or any other source. For more information about these issues, see Article 30 of the Pitt State
“Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities.” These policies apply to all work completed for this course,
including writing assignments, exams, quizzes, and other graded or ungraded material you hand in.
Electronic devices: Using a cell phone for any reason (including calls, photos or videos, and texting) is not
allowed during class. To avoid being disruptive, turn phones off before class begins. Laptop computers
and other electronic devices may be used in class only with permission from the instructor.
Note: Any student requiring special arrangements due to a disabling condition should inform me as soon as
possible. The student is also encouraged to contact the Center for Student Accommodations
([email protected]) if appropriate.
Schedule
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Assigned readings should be completed before coming to class. Except as noted, readings through October 21 are
from The Art of the Short Story. Readings after October 21st are from The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short
Fiction. Quizzes and some in-class assignments are not included on this schedule.
Week 1
Aug. 22 (Mon.): Introduction to the course
Aug. 24 (Wed.): Read “Reunion” by John Cheever (photocopy)
Aug. 26 (Fri.): Read “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker (810-16)
Week 2
Aug. 29 (Mon.): Read “Plot,” “Characterization,” and “Point of View” (849-858)
Aug. 31 (Wed.): Read “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson (390-96)
Sept. 2 (Fri.): Read “Setting,” “Theme,” and “Style” (859-62)
“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin (157-58)
Week 3
Sept. 5 (Mon.): CLASS DOES NOT MEET (Labor Day)
Sept. 7 (Wed.): Read “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (297-308)
Sept. 9 (Fri.): Read “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (289-93)
Week 4
Sept. 12 (Mon.): Read “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka (467-500)
Sept. 14 (Wed.): Continue discussion + possible in-class writing
Sept. 16 (Fri.): Read “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D. H. Lawrence (517-28)
Week 5
Sept. 19 (Mon.): Writing Assignment #1 due
Sept. 21 (Wed.): Read “The Birth Mark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne (357-68)
Sept. 23 (Fri.): Read “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne (348-57)
Week 6
Sept. 26 (Mon.): Continue discussion + possible in-class writing
Sept. 28 (Wed.): Read “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner (238-45)
Sept. 30 (Fri.): Continue discussion + possible in-class writing
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Week 7
Oct. 3 (Mon.): Read “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin (27-52)
Oct. 5 (Wed.): Read “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe (721-25)
Oct. 7 (Fri.): EXAM #1
Week 8
Oct. 10 (Mon.): Read “To Build a Fire” by Jack London (548-58)
Oct. 12 (Wed.): CLASS DOES NOT MEET
Online discussion via ANGEL. Reading assignment to be announced
Oct. 14 (Fri.): Writing assignment #2 due
Week 9
Oct. 17 (Mon.): Read sections on literary criticism (Read both the overviews and the short sample essays.)
“Formalist Criticism” (879-81)
“Psychological Criticism” (887-89)
Oct. 19 (Wed.): Read sections on literary criticism (Read both the overviews and the short sample essays.)
“Sociological Criticism” (892-95)
“Gender Criticism” (895-97)
“Reader-Response Criticism” (897-99)
Oct. 21 (Fri.): CLASS DOES NOT MEET (Fall Break)
Week 10
Oct. 24 (Mon.): Read “The Kind of Light That Shines of Texas” by Reginald McKnight (386-96)
Oct. 26 (Wed.): Read “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan (599-608)
Oct. 28 (Fri.): Read “The School” by Donald Barthelme (19-21)
Read “Orientation” by Daniel Orozco (484-88)
Week 11
Oct. 31 (Mon.): Read “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien (469-83)
Nov. 2 (Wed.): Continue discussion + possible in-class writing
Nov. 4 (Fri.): Read “Silver Water” by Amy Bloom (72-79)
Week 12
Nov. 7 (Mon.): Read “Tiny, Smiling Daddy” by Mary Gaitskill (228-38)
Nov. 9 (Wed.): Continue discussion + possible in-class writing
Nov. 11 (Fri.): Read “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid (319-20) / Writing Assignment #3 due
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Week 13
Nov. 14 (Mon.): EXAM #2
Nov. 16 (Wed.): Read “The Cavemen in the Hedges” by Stacey Richter (533-46)
Nov. 18 (Fri.): Read “The Ceiling” by Kevin Brockmeier (93-102)
Week 14
Nov. 21 (Mon.): Read “The Swimmer” by John Cheever (123-31)
Nov. 23 (Wed.): CLASS DOES NOT MEET (Thanksgiving Break)
Nov. 25 (Fri.): CLASS DOES NOT MEET (Thanksgiving Break)
Week 15
Nov. 28 (Mon.): Read “Sea Oak” by George Saunders (547-66)
Nov. 30 (Wed.): Writing Assignment #4 due
Dec. 2 (Fri.): Read “A Temporary Matter” by Jhumpa Lahiri (321-34)
Week 16
Dec. 5 (Mon.): Read “Marie” by Edward P. Jones (293-303)
Dec. 7 (Wed.): Read “Videotape” by Don Delillo (available on ANGEL)
Dec. 9 (Fri.): Course wrap-up + preparation for exam
Final exam for ENGL 114-02:
Friday, December 16th, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Final exam for ENGL 114-03:
Wednesday, December 14th, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM