Syllabus - English 364 - Popular Literature

Class Information

Professor Reed

Official Course Description

ENG 364 Popular Literature (3). Study of nature, appeal, and social function of selected works of popular literature. Prerequisites: English composition and one additional ENG course, or instructor's consent.

Extended Course Description

This upper-division course examines various popular literary genres including the Gothic narrative, the mystery, science-fiction, and the Western. Among the topics that may be considered will be the development of these popular genres, the means by which popular literature both reflects and affects the culture from which it emerges, issues characteristically embedded in the various popular genres, the significance of values associated with the "high" and "low" literature, and narrative patterns characteristic of popular genres. Interaction of students and instruction as well as students with students is important in this course and will be accomplished through e-mail, the Virtual Conference Center, and the Listserv. The VCC "Items" are to be used exclusively for comments related to the assignment associated with each "Item;" all other comments or questions should be put before the instructor and class by means of the Listserv. As usual, personal messages should be sent to a personal e-mail address. Students will be required to complete at least one assignment working as part of a group.

Cautionary Note

By its nature literature, particularly popular literature, often presents material which a given reader may find offensive. Graphic descriptions of sex and violence, negative stereotypes of ethnic or religious groups, and both overt and covert gender bias may be present in popular literature. This course does not seek out such material, but its content necessarily requires its presence. Students signing up for this course should make an effort to read reviews of the material assigned for reading and make an informed decision as to whether they are willing to be required to read and write about such material. Once a student has enrolled, no exceptions to the reading, writing, and webpage-construction assignment will be made.

Required Texts:(Some of these texts are available as e-texts; others you will need to find at a local library, a bookstore, or on the web at such locations as Amazon.com, bn.com, etc. If you plan far enough ahead and use the list server you may be able to swap books with other students in the class. No excuses can be accepted for not reading the books as assigned and meeting the relevant deadlines.)

Grading:

Listserv Participation: To be determined at end of semester. Qualities evaluated include frequency, depth, and regularity.

VCC Postings: Each Posting regardless of number of parts is worth 20 points. Points may be lost when postings and responses are not made according to deadlines. Normally VCC posting "rooms" will be locked 10 days after the deadline for an assignment. It is not possible to post after the "room" is locked.

Web Pages: All members of the group posting a web page receive the same score. After all the web pages are posted each class member will send me an e-mail ranking the top 3 web pages. 1 is highest. No ties. Web pages will be identified by URL. Extra points will be awarded the top three: First: 15 points; Second: 10 points; Third: 5 points. All members who created the winning three pages will receive the bonus points accordingly.

Final Paper: Points will be lost if deadline is not met.

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E-mail Glenn Reed at Glenn.Reed@nau.edu
or call (520) 523-4911

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