PAPERS: Two five-page papers; topics assigned; due March 8 and May 3.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Present-The-Science. At some point during the semester, you and a classmate will team up to provide perspective on the scientific contexts in which these works were written.

GRADING: Exams are worth 70% of your grade–two are worth 15%, two are worth 20%. The papers are worth 10% each, the science presentation 5%. Attendance matters and is worth 5%: however, if you miss more than three classes, the highest grade you can receive is a C.

OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTATIONS: The course is designed to acquaint you with culturally important literature of the Western world from the 17th century to the present. Particular texts are chosen to reflect various literary and intellectual movements, time periods, genres, and national literatures. Exams and papers are intended to improve your writing skills, particularly your skills in writing about literature.  Additionally, the course makes links between literary works and the world of scientific discovery/development.

I expect that you'll be in class most days--here not just physically, but actively (speaking, responding, taking notes, etc.). I expect that your writing will be thoughtful and a pleasure to read, not glib. I expect that it will be spell-checked and carefully proofread.

Above all, I hope you will ENJOY READING THESE GREAT TEXTS!