Andrews University

Department of English
ENGL250 English Literature II
Fall Semester 2016
Instructor: Robert T. Valeris
Email: valeris@andrews.edu
Days: Mon-Fri
Class Times: 7:30AM-11:30AM, 12:30PM-2:30PM
Office Hours: M-F 2:30-4:00 and by appointment
Location: Room 316

Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to a critical realm of different types of literature,
studying the works of authors from past to present. The students will be able read, analyze, and
study popular literature from around the world, and make various connections between the
reading and the world around them. In addition, during the semester, students will prepare
foundational and research based essays and papers on various texts that are studied in the class,
as well as participate in various literature activities and projects which will broaden their
knowledge in different cultures as they relate to the study of literature.

Materials Needed:

Prentice Hall Literature: Penguin Edition, Grade 10

Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice: Fifth Edition by Charles E.
Bressler
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Also Needed:

1 Binder (at least 1 inch)

1 Spiral Notebook
Number 2 Pencils and Pens (blue or black ink)
A Small Dictionary (optional, a set will also be provided in class)

Note: See full list of applied resources at the end of the syllabus.

General Objectives
1) Students will be able to relate the authors intentions and focus, given the text
information, with modern-day experiences.
2) Students will illustrate their own interpretations of the text using working examples
from the standards of the text material.
3) Students will write essays on given texts to discuss different aspects of the material
using supportive evidence within the 50-minute class period.
4) Students will write their own poetry with assigned forms.
5) Students will develop their own opinions about the text and defend their opinions
with discovered evidence given the guidelines of the text.
6) Students will compare and contrast their opinions on the assigned reading in order to
recognize different perspectives on a given text in the time allotted.
7) Throughout the year, students will participate in discussion groups focusing on the
topics of the given reading.
8) Students will express their perspectives on different topics of literature in organized
15-minute group debates.

Semester Units:
Unit 1 Studying Fiction & Nonfiction Short Stories
In this unit we will be studying the ideologies and intentions behind works of both fictional
works and non-fictional works. We will study popular works of both areas of literature, looking
at historical context and looking at how both areas can be associated with modern-day society.
The main lesson plans will emphasize making predictions in reading and analyzing cause and
effect in various textual settings.
Unit 2 Studying Poetry Forms and Meaning
In this unit we will dive deep into studying popular works of literature, both old and newer
literature. Students will study the historical context of different poets and how they play
significant roles in the writing of those poets. Students will learn about literary elements and
how they are use in poetic literature, as well as learning how to dissect the meaning of more
abstract literature line by line. The main emphasis for this unit will be on reading fluency and
paraphrasing.
Unit 3 Studying Forms of Drama: Shakespeare and Other Popular Forms of Performing Arts
In this unit we will study the significance and beauty of the performing arts. We will study
popular plays from writers such as William Shakespeare, Lorraine Hansberry, and others. In this
unit students will also develop their own playwright skits with groups on a play of their choice,

discussing their chosen works. The main objectives of this unit will focus on the concepts of
summary along with comparing and contrasting various aspects within a play as well as with
other works.
Unit 4 Themes in Literature: Heroes and Dreamers
This final unit will focus on studying works of literature centered on the themes of heroism and
dreams. Students will analyze how these themes are prevalent in the texts chosen to study.
Students will analyze and discuss these themes and focus on how heroes and dreams are
portrayed in different cultural settings, relating that to the context of the assigned material. In
addition to the textbook reading, students will also read the book Huckleberry Finn by Mark
Twain, focusing on these themes of heroism and dreams. The main concepts of this lesson will be
cultural context and world views.

Breakdown of Assignments & Activities

Bellwork Everyday, unless directly instructed otherwise, there will always be a bellwork on the
board when you come in at the beginning of class. Each day, there will be a vocabulary word on
the board that you will be expected to copy down, which will many times be based off of the
lesson concepts. At the end of each week, there will be a short quiz on the vocabulary listed.
Homework All homework will be regularly explained in class before the end of the period.
Homework can range from answering story questions in the textbook to writing essays off of the
material. It is the students responsibility to make sure that all homework is submitted on time. 5
percent will be deducted from an assignment each day it is late. If an assignment cannot be
submitted on time because of a valid reason, it must be arranged ahead of time.
Writing Assignments Writing assignments on the material will be given to assess knowledge of
text material covered in class, as well as writing skills in general. Students will also write in
depth research papers later on in the school year on a text and topic of their choice. Rubrics will
be provided in describing the expectations of writing assignments.
Class Debates It is important that students learn how to develop opinions on a topic and back
up their perspectives with specified evidence and logic in order to persuade an audience of a
particular point of view. Each semester, students will join in groups to participate in class debates
on a range of varying topics. Students will be given 20 minutes in the class period to debate their
chosen topic. At the end of each debate, the rest of the class will decide which team has the most
persuasive argument, as well as discuss the pros and cons of each side. Students debating should
also be prepared to answer any questions that are asked by the rest of the class concerning their
views. Students will be graded on preparation, credibility on topics, rationality of main points,
and respect for the views of others.
Quizzes and Exams Along with vocabulary quizzes each week, students will also be assessed
on reading covered in the textbook. Thus, it is the students responsibility to study the material
effectively inside and outside of class to be fully prepared for the quizzes.

Literature Presentations Students will be assigned a piece of literature studied in class that they
will prepare group presentations for. Students will be put into groups by the instructor, and will
be given time in class in addition to outside of class to prepare these presentations. Rubrics will
be given explaining the expectations laid out for the assignment.
Culture Projects We will be studying many different works of literature specifically works
derived from other cultures outside of the United States. Students will prepare presentations on
different cultures and how they relate to the corresponding texts we will read in class. More
details will be given later on in the semester.
Discussion Groups - Students will be broken up into several discussion groups that will be given
different in-class questions to consider as well as activities based off of the assigned reading.
Students will present their conclusions and work to the rest of the class.

Breakdown of Assignments
Homework 35%
Quizzes & Exams 15%
Writing Assignments 20%
Presentations and Projects 20%
Class Debates 10%

Procedures and Expectations

Attendance Students are expected to always be on time for class. If you are not in the
classroom and in your seat when the bell has rung, you are considered tardy. Students are
expected to begin the bellwork as soon as they have arrived to class and they are in their seats. If
there is any day where you will not be in class, please notify me ahead of time with questions
regarding what you will miss. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES ARE UNACCEPTABLE. If you miss
a day, please do not hesitate to meet with your fellow classmates to discuss what is covered in
class.
Preparedness Always come to class prepared. Always come to class with your textbooks,
writing utensils, binders, paper, and notebooks. If there are any special materials that you will
need on any day, I will be sure to give you notice ahead of time.
Cellphones Cellphones are not allowed to be out at any point during the class period. If you are
caught on your cellphones, you will receive two warnings the third time the phone will be
confiscated until the end of the day. If you need to make an emergency telephone call at any
point during the period, please ask to use the telephone in the administration office and I will be
more than happy to give you permission.

Food and Drinks: Food and drinks are not allowed to be eaten in the classroom the only
exception is water. If by any chance you have any conditions that make this rule illegitimate to
your health, please let me know.
Respect Respect is a crucial aspect in any public setting. Remember to treat others the way you
would like to be treated. Raise your before speaking out in class, be respectful of other students
views, and respect the desires of your fellow students to learn as well as your own.
Attitude Always come to class with a positive attitude. If there are any problems that you may
like to discuss with me in private, please do not hesitate to ask and I will be more than happy to
help in any way possible.

Daily Class Schedule

Date
Aug 25
Aug 26
Aug 27
Aug 28

Aug 29
Sep 1
Sep 2
Sep 3
Sep 4
Sep 5
Sep 8
Sep 9
Sep 10
Sep 11

Sep 12
Sep 15
Sep 16
Sep 17
Sep 18
Sep 19
Sep 22
Sep 23
Sep 24
Sep 25
Sep 26
Sep 29
Sep 30
Oct 1

Class Tasks
Class Introduction/Syllabus Review
Lecture Presentation on The Method of Reading Literature
Effectively
English Pre-test
Unit 1: Introduction to Fiction and Nonfiction: Making
Predictions/ From Places Left Unfinished. By
Santos
The Monkeys Paw : Understanding Plot
LABOR DAY NO SCHOOL
The Monkeys Paw (contd): Plot Analysis
Read from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Using Prior
Knowledge to Make Predictions
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Understanding the
Authors Perspective
Comparing Literary Works: Authors Style
The Marginal World: Understanding the Authors Purpose
Making History With Vitamin C: Understanding the
Authors Purpose (contd)
Cause and Effect Relationships in Literature
Cause and Effect Relationships in Literature (contd):
Dissecting Games at Twilight and Making History with
Vitamin C
HW Peer Review: Purpose, Perspectives, and C&E of
Carson, LeCouteur, Burreson, and Desai
Read Ego text pgs. 174-177
The Leader in the Mirror: Analyzing Tone in Literary
Works
Analyzing Tone (contd)
Unit Exam Review
UNIT 1 EXAM
Unit 2: Reading Poetry: Unit Introduction pgs.583-85
BEGINNING PART 1: Poetry Collection 1: Narrative and
Lyric Poetry
Poetry Collection 1 (contd)
Poetry Collection 2: Narrative and Lyric Poetry (contd)
HW Peer Review and Discussion: Narration and Lyrics in
Poetry Collections #1 and #2
Poetry Collection #2 pgs. 637-647: Poetic Forms
Poetic Forms (contd)
Comparing Literary Works: Tone and Mood: Poetry by
Mistral, Brooks, and Keats

Oct 2
Oct 3
Oct 6
Oct 7
Oct 8
Oct 9
Oct 10
Oct 13
Oct 14
Oct 15
Oct 16
Oct 17
Oct 20
Oct 21
Oct 22
Oct 23
Oct 24
Oct 27
Oct 28
Oct 29
Oct 30
Oct 31
Nov 3
Nov 4
Nov 5
Nov 6
Nov 7
Nov 10
Nov 11
Nov 12
Nov 13
Nov 14
Nov 17

Nov 18
Nov 19-23
Nov 24

Tone and Mood (contd)

Poetic Form, Tone, and Mood Class Exercises
BEGINNING PART 2: PARAPHRASING: Poetry
Collection #1
Poetry Collection 1: (contd): Imagery and Paraphrasing
Literature Presentations
Literature Presentations
Literature Presentations
Poetry Collection 2: Poetry by Hughes, McCrae, and
Sandburg
Poetry Collection #2 (contd): Sound Devices
Paraphrasing, Quoting, and Critiquing Research
Poetry by Ting & Dickinson: Looking at Themes
Unit Exam 2 Review
UNIT EXAM 2
Begin Unit 3: Exploring Drama/Unit Intro: From Tibet
Through the Red Box
Scene from An Enemy of the People
Comparing Literary Works: Universal and Culturally
Specific Themes
Introduction to Shakespeares Julius Caesar
Begin JC Act I (First Half in Class)
JC Act I Review
JC Act II
JC Act II (contd)
JC Act III
JC Act III (contd)
JC Act IV
JC Act IV (contd)
JC Act V
Julius Caesar Debriefing & Review
JC Act Presentations
JC Act Presentations (contd)
Scene from A Raisin in the Sun: Character Motivation
Unit 3 Exam Review
UNIT 3 EXAM
Introduction to Unit 4: Themes in Literature: Heroes
and Dreamers/ From Places Left Unfinished. by
Santos
The Orphan Boy and the Elk Dog: Analyzing Cultural
Context
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Sundiata and Ramayana: Interpreting Cultural Text With
Background Knowledge

Nov 25
Nov 26
Nov 27
Nov 28
Dec 1
Dec 2
Dec 3
Dec 4

Dec 5
Dec 8
Dec 9
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 15
Dec 16
Dec 17
Dec 18

Sundiata/Ramayana (contd)
Cupid and Psyche: Comparing Literary Works: Archetypal
Narrative Patterns
Morte dArthur: Comparing and Contrasting Values
Morte d Arthur: Comparing and Contrasting Values in
Literature (contd)
Class Debates
Class Debates (contd)
Class Debates (contd)
Mark Twain: Comparing and Contrasting Beliefs and
Attitudes: from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs
Court
Websites on Christos Gates of Central Park: Comparing
and Contrasting Authors Purposes
Damon and Pythias/Two Friends: Themes and Worldviews
Themes and Worldviews (contd)
Final Exam Review
Final Exam Review
Final Exam Review
FINAL EXAMS
FINAL EXAMS
FINAL EXAMS
FINAL EXAMS

Teacher Bibliography
Bressler, C. E. (2011). Literary Criticism. Pearson Education, Inc.
Jowett, J., Montgomery, W., Taylor, G., & Wells, S. (2005). The Oxford Shakespeare:
The Complete Works: Second Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.
Kirszner, L. G., & Mandell, S. G. (2011). Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing.
Boston, Massachusetts: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Prentice Hall. (2007). Prentice Hall Literature: Penguin Edition. Upper Saddle River,
New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.