Dr. Chris Healy

HLG 250

482-5476

healy@louisiana.edu

 

Office Hours

MWF 12:00-1:00
MW 8:00-9:00

TR 8:00-11:00

and by appointment

Survey of Old English Literature

(ENGL 402-001)

Fall 2004

MWF 11:00-11:50 a.m.

HLG 203



COURSE MATERIALS

The Anglo-Saxon World: An Anthology, trans. Kevin Crossley-Holland
Beowulf: A New Verse Translation
, 2nd ed., trans. R. M. Liuzza


COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course covers the earliest English literature, both poetry and prose, and examines representative texts from a wide-ranging set of forms--riddle, elegy, epic, etc. Because all readings are in translation, no reading ability in Old English is necessary.


PREREQUISITES

To enroll in ENGL 402, students must have upper-division standing, at least 60 hours of credit toward a degree, and 6 hours sophomore English credit.


ATTENDANCE

Attendance is required. Much of the material appearing on the tests will come directly from lectures, and is not covered in the textbook. Each student bears the responsibility of getting any assignments, notes, or announcements he or she may miss as a result of an absence. Make-up tests will be given only when the student submits written, official documentation that provides a reasonable and important excuse for missing the test--and only if I approve the matter. These make-up tests must be taken within one week of the original test date, or the test grade will be recorded as a zero. Further, make-up tests can be in a different format and have different questions. Also, remember that failure to attend class does not constitute a withdrawal. Dropping is an administrative procedure that you must undertake. Failure to withdraw from a class will result in a failure in the course.


GRADING

This course uses a standard ten-point grading scale. (Graduate students must execute additional tasks and meet additional requirements, evaluated on stricter criteria.)

 

            Midterm         - 35%

            Final               - 35%

            Paper              - 30%


EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to keep up with the readings, which denotes having read the material scheduled for discussion at each class meeting. The length of readings will vary, but shorter readings generally represent more difficult material. Simply follow the schedule to keep current, unless/until you are informed of a change.


Examinations will test students' mastery of and familiarity with their readings and understanding of the classroom lectures' content. These tests will have various components, testing both knowledge of factual information and ability to analyze literature. On the written sections, a student's writing ability does contribute to the evaluation of the answer.


One type-written paper, an extended critical analysis that uses research, is also required. It must be formatted in MLA style (see MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th ed.). The length of this essay should be between 2500 -3000 words (i.e., double-spaced with a standard-sized 12 point font--use Times New Roman, not some "fancy" font--and with standard one-inch margins, about 8-10 pages). All pages should be stapled together (no folders or binders). The essay must be completed on time and turned in on the date it is due. If you know that you will be unable to attend class, be sure to put your essay in my hands before the class period begins. (If you come to me on the due date with a story of printer problems, be prepared to give me a diskette that has your document file saved on it, then turn in a printed hard-copy of that exact file at the next class meeting.) A late essay will be scored one letter grade lower for every class period it is late, and it must be turned in no more than three class meetings after the due date. After the third class, I will record the essay grade as a zero.


I will not proofread your essays. If you wish to discuss an idea, please feel free to come to my office so that we can critically appraise the viability of your proposed line of thinking. On the other hand, if you want help organizing your essay or need aid with some of the finer points of grammar, mechanics, punctuation, diction, spelling, and style, go to the Writing Center, located in H. L. Griffin 107 and 108. There you will find trained tutors who will assist you in the writing process. Do not expect them to "fix" your papers, but rather, go to the Writing Center with a draft, prepared to work on your writing. Go early enough to allow yourself time to revise your papers. Additionally, the Writing Center has computers on which you can write your paper, but you are responsible for bringing a diskette on which to save the file.


On the topic of writing, let me urge you to note the University of Louisiana at Lafayette policy on plagiarism. First, as defined by the University, "Plagiarism [. . .] occurs when a student passes off as his or her own the ideas or words of another person, when s/he presents as a new and original idea or product anything which in fact is derived from an existing work, or when s/he makes use of any work or production already created by someone else without giving credit to the source. In short, plagiarism is the use of unacknowledged materials in the preparation of assignments."  Take heed that "The University considers both cheating and plagiarism serious offenses. The minimum penalty for a student guilty of either dishonest act is a grade of 'zero' for the assignment in question. The maximum penalty is dismissal from the University." You may find these statements in the current Student Bulletin (427) or online. I will pursue severe punishment of plagiarism.


If you have a cellular telephone or a pager, turn it off before my class. Do not disturb your classmates by disrupting class with these electronic items. If you feel you must communicate with the outside world, you should unobtrusively leave for the day.


With all e-mail, include your name and which class you are taking. I will not respond to anonymous or vague e-mail messages. Also, e-mailing me to say that you will not be in class does not mean you will get credit for being there. Lastly, after the final examination, you will need to wait until the following semester to communicate with me.


Visit the course Web site. The site has not only this current information, but also links to related supplemental pages. You may also visit the Blackboard site for this course, where I might post grades.


DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION POLICY

If you have a disability or special needs, please provide me with the proper documentation from Services for Students with Disabilities as soon as possible. Accommodations for qualified students will be gladly provided, but overall requirements and expectations will remain the same.


EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES

A map of this floor is posted near the elevator marking the evacuation route and the Designated Rescue Area. This is an area where emergency service personnel will go first to look for individuals who need assistance in exiting the building. Students who might need assistance should identify themselves to the teaching faculty.




Top of Page






Course Main Page | | Chris Healy's Home Page | | English Department | | University of Louisiana at Lafayette


Chris Healy


Last modified: August 20, 2004