EGL 241

ENGLISH 241GENERIC COURSE SYLLABUS


I.	Course Prefix	Course No.	Course Name	Credit	Lecture	Lab
	EGL	241	Masterpieces of Western Literature I	3	3	0

II.

Prerequisite:

EGL 101 or placement into 101

III.

Course (Catalog) Description:

Course introduces various masterpieces of Western Literature from Ancient times through the Renaissance (1650). Content includes important currents of western thought during the period; comparative study of selected works; terminology and methods of literary analysis and evaluation.

IV.

Learning Objectives:

The student will be able to:

A. Develop a historical understanding of the western literary tradition;

B. Analyze literary texts with attention to theme, form, and historical significance;

C. Appreciate the characteristics and development of such literary forms and conventions as the epic, pastoral, comedy and tragedy;

D. Master critical terminology; E. Write with insight and precision about literary works.

Academic Integrity:

Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:

• cheating,
• plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
• falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
• helping others to cheat,
• unauthorized changes on official documents,
• pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
• making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
• any other behavior that violates academic integrity.

There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.

Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.

VI.

Topics Covered:

Weeks 1-2:

Introduction to Literary Analysis Texts will be drawn from the earliest periods or will illustrate themes or literary principles appropriate to developing skills of literary analysis.

Weeks 3-9:

The Greeks. Texts to be drawn from Homer, Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides, Sappho, Plato, Aristotle, and other classical dramatists, poets and philosophers.

Weeks 10-11:

The Roman and early Christian writers: Texts to be drawn from Virgil, Ovid, Catullus, Augustine, Aquinas.

Weeks 12-14:

The Middle Ages: Texts to be drawn from such as Chanson de Roland, Dante, Chaucer, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Bible and the Koran.

Weeks 15-16:

The Renaissance: Texts to be drawn from Shakespeare, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Marguerite de Navarre, Rabelais, Cervantes, Montaigne, Spenser, Sidney, Milton.

VII.

Methods of Instruction:

The course will be conducted through lectures, discussions, and the use of other appropriate media. Students will read a variety of literary forms and demonstrate competence though papers, quizzes, exams and discussion.

VIII.

Course Practices Required:

Reading, writing and testing; possibly oral presentations. Out of class writing including short essays and research papers to total a minimum of 20 pages.

IX.

Instructional Materials:

Textbooks might be drawn from:

MacMillan Literature of the Western World

Norton Anthology of World Literature

Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

Evaluation methods include grading of student essays, quizzes, exams and oral presentations and evaluating students' participation in discussion.

XI.

Other Course Information:

Attendance policy

For whatever information/procedures the instructor holds the student accountable.

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in Instructional Support Services. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.

June 2006