Homework guidelines
Course syllabus
The date above each reading/writing assignment is the due date. If a reading is labeled "handout," this means I gave you a copy of it during the previous class session; otherwise, you can click on the reading and print it. All homework should be typed and formatted in MLA style.
WEEK 1
M Aug. 29
Introduction to the course. In class we will read "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway
Introduction to the course. In class we will read "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway
W Aug. 31
"A Temporary Matter" by Jhumpa Lahiri (handout)
PREPARE for a quiz on the syllabus and homework guidelines
WRITE (HW#1): At exactly what place in the story do you first see conflict? What is the main source of tension in the story?
WEEK 2
WRITE (HW#1): At exactly what place in the story do you first see conflict? What is the main source of tension in the story?
WEEK 2
M Sept. 5
No class – Labor Day holiday
No class – Labor Day holiday
W Sept. 7
READ the following:
Different ways of approaching short stories
Some of my thoughts and tips on writing
"The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol (handout)
Different ways of approaching short stories
Some of my thoughts and tips on writing
"The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol (handout)
WRITE (HW#2): What is Akaky Akakaveich like in the beginning of the story? What causes him to change? How is he different by the end?
WEEK 3
M Sept. 12
PRINT a copy of this story to bring to class
READ "Vito Loves Geraldine" by Janice Eidus (handout)
WRITE (HW#3): What indications are there that you can't totally trust what Geraldine is telling you? How does it serve the story to have a narrator who is not completely trustworthy?
WEEK 4
M Sept. 19
READ "Lady with Lapdog" by Anton Chekhov (handout)
WRITE (HW#4): How do you think the relationship between Anna and Gurov is going to end up? Use textual evidence to support your answer.
W Sept. 21READ the following:
"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates
An article about the murder that Oates based the story on
PRINT the story to bring to class
"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates
An article about the murder that Oates based the story on
PRINT the story to bring to class
WEEK 5
M Sept. 26
READ the following:"Soldier's Home" by Ernest Hemingway"A Man-to-Be" by Ha Jin (handout)
WRITE (HW#6): Is there hope for either protagonist at the end of these stories?
W Sept. 28
REVISE and expand one of your homework assignments, adding a brief introduction (with a thesis statement) and a conclusion. Your paper should be at least 3 pages long. Bring a 3-page draft to class for peer review.
READ my tips on writing introductions
START the reading for Monday (very long story)
WEEK 6
READ my tips on writing introductions
START the reading for Monday (very long story)
WEEK 6
M Oct. 3
W Oct. 5
W Oct. 5
Final draft of paper due
REMINDER: Make sure you have purchased a copy of Light in August by now.
PURCHASE your tickets for the play "How to Write" at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre (details given in class)
CAUTION: The reading load will be a lot heavier during the next six weeks, so if you are a slow reader, start reading Light in August now!
PURCHASE your tickets for the play "How to Write" at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre (details given in class)
CAUTION: The reading load will be a lot heavier during the next six weeks, so if you are a slow reader, start reading Light in August now!
WEEK 7
M Oct. 10
READ the first act of "How to Write" (through page 59)
You do not need to print the play. If you have a laptop, bring it to class so that you can view the text as we discuss it.
W Oct. 12
READ the second act of "How to Write" (finish the play)
PREPARE for a collaborative quiz
Bring your laptop if you have one.
REVIEW the guidelines for the extra credit assignment (coming soon)
WEEK 8
PREPARE for a collaborative quiz
Bring your laptop if you have one.
REVIEW the guidelines for the extra credit assignment (coming soon)
WEEK 8
M Oct. 17
We will review for the midterm in class. Bring all of your stories and notes.
READ the midterm review sheet and START preparing now for the midterm
PRINT a copy of the midterm review sheet and bring to class
READ my tips on in-class writing
We will review for the midterm in class. Bring all of your stories and notes.
READ the midterm review sheet and START preparing now for the midterm
PRINT a copy of the midterm review sheet and bring to class
READ my tips on in-class writing
W Oct. 19
Midterm! Bring all of your stories and notes, as well as a laptop, if you have one.
WEEK 9
M Oct. 24
READ Ch. 1-2 of Light in August
WRITE (HW#7): Choose one of the following characters: Lena, Byron Bunch, Joe Brown, or Joe Christmas. Using your own words, explain everything you know about that character.
NOTE: Sorry, I made an error with the deadline for the extra credit assignment. It will be due on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
NOTE: Sorry, I made an error with the deadline for the extra credit assignment. It will be due on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
W Oct. 26
READ Ch. 3-4 of Light in August
WRITE (HW#8): Do you think Hightower deserved to be forced out of the church?
WEEK 10
M Oct. 31
READ Ch. 5-6 of Light in August
PREPARE for a collaborative quiz
HINT: Think about why the incident with the toothpaste such an important event in Joe's life.
HINT: Think about why the incident with the toothpaste such an important event in Joe's life.
W Nov. 2
READ Ch. 7 of Light in August
READ Ch. 7 of Light in August
WRITE (HW#9): Why does Joe despise Mrs. McEachern (pronounced Mc Ek-urn) when she is the only one who shows him any compassion?
WEEK 11
M Nov. 7
Group 1 presents Chapters 8-9
READ Ch. 8-10 of Light in August
WRITE (HW#10): Why is Joe attracted to Bobbie when she seems so lame?
Choose one quote from the handout I gave you on Wed. and revise it. Please type your revision and bring it to class on Mon.
W Nov. 9
READ Ch. 8-10 of Light in August
WRITE (HW#10): Why is Joe attracted to Bobbie when she seems so lame?
Choose one quote from the handout I gave you on Wed. and revise it. Please type your revision and bring it to class on Mon.
W Nov. 9
Group 2 presents Chapters 10-11
READ Ch. 11 of Light in August
READ Ch. 11 of Light in August
WEEK 12
M Nov. 14
Group 3 presents Chapters 12-13
READ Ch. 12-13 of Light in August
READ Ch. 12-13 of Light in August
PREPARE for a collaborative quiz
HINT: Think about whether Joe loves Joanna and vice versa.
W Nov. 16
Group 4 presents Chapter 14
READ Ch. 14 of Light in August
W Nov. 16
Group 4 presents Chapter 14
READ Ch. 14 of Light in August
WEEK 13
M Nov. 21
Group 5 presents Chapters 15-16
READ Ch. 15-16 of Light in August
READ Ch. 15-16 of Light in August
WRITE (HW#11): Do you know for sure that Joe Christmas black? Look closely at pages 373-382. Does it matter whether he is black? To himself? To society?
W Nov. 23Catch-up day. We will spend the day discussing the format of the final exam.
WEEK 14
M Nov. 28
Group 6 presents Chapter 17
READ Ch. 17 of Light in August
READ Ch. 17 of Light in August
WRITE (HW#12): How does Hightower feel after delivering Lena's baby? Why is this such an important event for him?
W Nov. 30
Group 7 presents Chapters 18-19
READ Ch. 18-19 of Light in August
READ Ch. 18-19 of Light in August
WRITE (HW#13): In the confrontation between Lena and Joe Brown, who "wins"? That is, who has more power?
WEEK 15
M Dec. 5
READ Ch. 20 of Light in August
WRITE (HW#14): Why did Hightower marry his wife? (See pages 479-482.) In Chapter 20, what does he realize about how he treated his wife? (See pages 487-8.)
W Dec. 7
Last day of class!
Last day of class!
Finish the novel.
WRITE (HW#15): Does the novel have a happy ending? Support your answer with textual evidence.
FINAL EXAM
The final exam will be an in-class essay on the novel. It is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 16, between 9:30-11:30am. Good luck!
