Mrs.

Sarena Lee-Schott, Chair and Associate Professor English Department Prairie State College English 240-IN1: Introduction to Fiction (Online Section) Contact Information Phone:(708) 709-3665 Email: slee@prairiestate.edu Office Location: Room 2225 Office Hours: During the summer semester, my office hours are by appointment only. Interactive Table of Contents About the Professor Course Description and Instructional Materials Course Policies and Expectations List of Assignments with Point Scale and Grade Descriptions Course Schedule of Reading and Assignments by Module Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6 Module 7 Module 8

ABOUT THE PROFESSOR I am a native of Chicago--and a Sox fan. Please don't hold that against me. I became a Cubs fanin-law [by way of marriage] in July 2008. Oh, and go Bears!!! I attended Chicago State University, where I received a BA in English with a concentration in Professional and Technical Writing in 2001. In 2004, I completed an MA in Writing Theory and Pedagogy at DePaul University. Prior to coming to Prairie State College as a fulltime instructor, and before I began teaching, I worked in purchasing and finance at Provident Hospital of Cook County for thirteen years. I worked fulltime while pursuing my BA and MA, so I understand what it is like to be a working student with a variety responsibilities. I previously taught at ITT Technical Institute, Trinity Christian College, Truman College, and Moraine Valley Community College. I joined Prairie State College as adjunct (part-time) faculty in 2005 and became a full-time professor at PSC in 2006. In January 2009, I was awarded tenure, and I became Coordinator of the Learning Communities program in 2011 and Chair of the English Department in 2012. Some of my faves include: my husband and son, trying different ethnic foods, different genres of music, and traveling to places with warm climates. Some of my non-faves include: cold weather, snow, and horror movies. I look forward to working with you! Good luck, and have a great semester! All Best, Prof. Lee-Schott

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to fiction with special emphasis on understanding and appreciation of short stories and novels. The primary focus is on developing or refining student's' abilities to read critically, to learn about the principal literary elements of fiction, and to improve writing skills through the use of literature as subject matter. Writing activities include both short and longer forms of traditional academic writing including critical reader-response writing, essays, and exams. Although this is an online course, my expectations for the quality of your work will be as high as if we were meeting in a traditional classroom. Please feel free to contact me if, at any point, you are experiencing challenges with functioning in the learning environment. Meanwhile, while enrolled in this course, there are certain learning outcomes to which I expect you to adhere and which I require you to demonstrate. REQUIRED TEXTS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Giovannis Room by James Baldwin The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh The Seagull Reader: Stories, Second Edition by Joseph Kelly, editor For each module, I have posted links to videos, website, and e-handouts, and students are expected to use these resources as well as to read the assigned short stories and novels. For this class, you are responsible for ensuring that you have: Data storage deviceother than hard drive [floppy disk, USB drive] Reliable Internet connection: Please remember that it is your responsibility to complete all assignments by the specified due dates. Special consideration will not be given for late assignments as a result of loss of Internet connection, issues with computer hardware, etc. If you experience issues with your connection, or you do not have a computer at your place of residence, consider one of the following free alternative resources: o PSC computer labs located in the Student Success Center, Learning Achievement Center, and the library o Governors State University o Local public libraries RECOMMENDED TEXT: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th Edition, Modern Language Association, ISBN 978-1603290241

COURSE POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS College-wide Learning Outcomes: These outcomes, developed by the faculty at Prairie State College, include basic skills needed by all students across disciplines. Thus, in addition to fulfilling requirements of specific courses, PSC students will work towards developing and refining general skills that are beneficial in all courses. 1. Communication: Students will demonstrate skills for effective verbal and non verbal communication. In this course, students are expected to: Actively read all assigned material, including literature and other supporting resources. Active [or close] reading means that you evolve from appreciating the text to making your own observations and posing your of questions about what you read. Interact in all discussion boards by sharing your own ideas, as well as by reading and responding to the ideas of others. Complete all discussion questions for assigned readings by providing thorough, thoughtful answers. Exhibit the ability to write papers, which demonstrate writing and interpretation skills. Write a researched position paper, using MLA style and secondary sources, to make an argument about a piece of literature. Utilize computer literacy skills while functioning in the online learning environment. In this course, utilization defined as: possessing access to the internet on a consistent basis, utilizing Blackboard and PSC student email, and incorporating any other hardware, software, or online resources needed to be successful in the course. Apply the basic rules and conventions of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics while completing all written work. 2. Computer Literacy: Students will effectively apply computer-based technologies to access, manipulate, use, and present information. In this course, students are expected to: Successfully send and receive email messages, including file attachments. Effectively use search engines to obtain information. Demonstrate intermediate-level word processing skills: character formatting, paragraph formatting, and page formatting. Format a research paper, including: citations, page numbering, headers and footers, and style sheets. 3. Discipline-Specific Knowing: Student will demonstrate the ability to organize information; identify and apply the terminology, techniques, and skills; and transfer learning within the specific discipline. In this course, students are expected to: To understand basic elements of fiction and critical approaches to literature To explore works in which these elements are developed and these approaches can be used to understand and interpret assigned readings. Develop or improve the ability to appreciate and to discuss literature in small and large groups.

4. Problem Solving: Students will locate and identify information, determine what problems exist, develop solutions, evaluate results, and extend results to new situations. In this course, students are expected to: Provide a synthesized analysis of information presented in assigned readings. Use observation, experience, reflection, and reasoning to develop understandings of literal and implicit information presented in assigned readings. Respond to assigned readings by sharing thoughts, reactions, and questions about them. 5. Professionalism: Students will identify and practice standards and shared expectations of the academic environment, as well as the workplace. In this course, students are expected to: Maintain consistence attendance while enrolled in the course. Attendance is triggered by your consistent participation. In this course, participation is defined as timely completion of essays, assignments, and tests and by your CONSISTENT participation in discussion boards. You are able to earn a total of 160 participation points this semester. Demonstrate integrity in the completion and submission of all assignments. If you are unaware of PSC statement on academic honesty, please visit and review: http://www.prairiestate.edu/c_student/acadhonest.html. Display courtesy and regard for one another. Absolute agreement is NEVER required, but respect is ALWAYS required. Always be sure to demonstrate proper netiquette. 6. Social and Cultural Awareness: Students will demonstrate awareness of the diversity of the global community and practice appropriate behaviors towards others. In this course, students are expected to: Develop their understanding of the differences between themselves and people from other countries or other backgrounds Demonstrate awareness of the problems that different societies and communities face and consciousness of the difficulties and hardships of society. Identify stereotypes and differences. Have knowledge of why differences and commonalities exist. Awareness will be developed as a result of review and discussion of assigned readings and illustrated in class discussions and writing assignments. Policy on Late Assignments: Some assignments can be submitted late. Late deadlines for selected assignments are posted in D2L. When assignments are submitted late, students will incur an eleven percent grade deduction penalty, which means that eleven percent will be deducted from the final grades of assignments submitted late.

LIST OF ASSIGNMENTS WITH POINT SCALE AND GRADE DESCRIPTIONS Test Email Quizzes (7) Discussions (7) Essay Exams (3) Final Comprehensive Exam Total Points: 10 points 232 points 140 points 750 points 300 points 1432 points

Point Scale: A.1288.8 to 1432 points B. 1145.6 to 1288.87 points C. 1002.4 to 1145.5 points D.859.2 to 1002.3 points F. 0 to 859.1 points Grade What does this letter grade mean? A has achieved outstanding mastery of course materials B exceeds average and acceptable mastery of course material C has achieved average and acceptable mastery of course material D has achieved minimal of mastery of course material F. has not achieved mastery of course materials FW. A student who receives an FW has, prior to the end of the semester, discontinued participation in this course. Current federal regulations and PSC board policy require that students who walk away from a course must receive this grade

COURSE SCHEDULE OF READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS BY MODULE

All assignments in this course must be submitted by 11:59 pm on each deadline date. Module # Readings and Instructional Materials Whats Due?
Module 1 May 28 to June 2 For Module 1, become acquainted with the course by reading the syllabus, reviewing our course site in Desire2Learn (D2L), and using the tips and resources for success in English 240, which are posted in the Syllabus submenu in Content. Due May 31: Module 1 Discussion Initial Post Due June 2: Test Email Quiz: Elements of Fiction Module 1 Discussion Responses to Classmates Due June 7: Module 2 Discussion Initial Post Due June 9: Module 2 Discussion Responses to Classmates Module 2 Quiz

Also, please be sure to read and watch all links to required coursework that have been posted in D2L for this module. Module 2 June 2 to June 9 Read:

Sherman Alexie, What You Pawn I Will Redeem James Baldwin, Sonnys Blues Raymond Carver, Cathedral Louise Erdrich, Im a Mad Dog Biting Myself for Sympathy William Faulkner, A Rose for Emily Nathaniel Hawthorn, Young Goodman Brown

Module 3 June 10 to June 16

Also, please be sure to read and watch all links to required coursework that have been posted in D2L for this module. Read: Ernest Hemingway, Hills Like White Elephants O. Henry, The Furnished Room D. H. Lawrence, The Horse Dealers Daughter Herman Melville, Bartleby, the Scrivener Joyce Carol Oates, Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Tim OBrien, The Things They Carried Also, please be sure to read and watch all links to required coursework that have been posted in D2L for this module. Read: Katherine Anne Porter, The Jilting of Granny Weatherall Leslie Marmon Silko, Yellow Woman John Steinbeck, The Chrysanthemums John Updike, A & P Alice Walker, Everyday Use Eudora Welty, A Worn Path Also, please be sure to read and watch all links to required coursework that have been posted in D2L for this module.

Due June 14: Module 3 Discussion Initial Post Due June 16: Module 3 Discussion Responses to Classmates Module 3 Quiz

Module 4 June 17 to June 23

Due June 21: Module 4 Discussion Initial Post Due June 23: Essay Exam 1 Module 4 Discussion Responses to Classmates Module 4 Quiz

Module 5 June 24 to June 30

Read:

James Baldwin, Giovannis Room (Yes, I expect you to read the entire book this week.)

Due June 28: Module 5 Discussion Initial Post Due June 30: Module 5 Discussion Responses to Classmates Module 5 Quiz Due July 5: Module 6 Discussion Initial Post Due July 7: Essay Exam 2 Module 6 Discussion Responses to Classmates Module 6 Quiz Due July 12: Module 7 Discussion Initial Post Due July 14: Essay Exam 3 Module 7 Discussion Responses to Classmates Module 7 Quiz Due July 18: Final Comprehensive Exam

Also, please be sure to read and watch all links to required coursework that have been posted in D2L for this module.

Module 6 July 1 to July 7

Read: Vanessa Diffenbaugh, The Language of Flowers, Part One and Part Two

Also, please be sure to read and watch all links to required coursework that have been posted in D2L for this module.

Module 7 July 8 to July 14

Read: Vanessa Diffenbaugh, The Language of Flowers, Part Three and Part Four Also, please be sure to read and watch all links to required coursework that have been posted in D2L for this module.

Module 8 July 15 to July 18

There are no readings or instructional materials assignment during this module.