Schedule & Syllabus

NOTE: Lessons and quizzes do not numerically correspond; they are staggered. Lessons 1, 8, 15, and 16 have no assigned quizzes. All assignments (with the exception of the final exam) are due on Sundays, no later than 11:59pm Alaska Standard Time.

LESSONS DUE BY MIDNIGHT
Lesson 1 & 2
Quiz 1
September 14
Lesson 3
Quiz 2
September 21
Lesson 4
Quiz 3
September 28
Lesson 5
Quiz 4
October 5
Lesson 6
Quiz 5
October 12
Lesson 7
Quiz 6
October 19
Lesson 8
MIDTERM
October 26
Lesson 9
Quiz 7
November 2
Lesson 10
Quiz 8
November 9
Lesson 11
Quiz 9
November 16
Lesson 12
Quiz 10
November 23
Lesson 13
Quiz 11
November 30
Lesson 14
Quiz 12
December 7
Lesson 15
no quiz, discussion only
December 14
Lesson 16
FINAL
December 18

 


TITLE: World Literature World Literature with Jennifer Popa UX1
NUMBER: 75234
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: ENGL F111X or placement in ENGL F211X/ENGL F213X; sophomore standing; or permission of instructor.
LOCATION: Online
MEETING TIME: Asynchronous
INSTRUCTOR:  Jennifer Popa
OFFICE LOCATION: Online (I am available on google chat by appointment)
OFFICE HOURS: by request
EMAIL ADDRESS: jlpopa@alaska.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to reading and appreciating a wide variety of literary texts from different cultures. It will include exposure to a variety of genres including myth, poetry, storytelling, and drama. Students should gain an understanding of cultural differences and universals in texts not written in English. Readings vary from ancient Mesopotamian sources to 20th Egypt, and they will be explored through lens of the archetypical hero’s journey.

COURSE GOALS STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the semester, you should be able to identify common elements found in a broad range of literatures from around the world as well as understanding how these works relate to the archetypal hero’s journey. You should also be able to identify the time period in which an author lived and the some of the literary, historical, and cultural contexts in which he or she was writing.

COURSE READINGS/MATERIALS
The Norton Anthology of World Literature, Shorter Second Edition, ed. Sarah Lawall. April 2009. ISBN-10: 0393933547 | ISBN-13: 978-0393933543. Volumes 1 & 2.

For the final week, students have the option of watching Joon-ho Bong’s Korean film Mother, available at Netflix and Amazon. It is not required that students rent this film: a secondary option of reading further material is available to students who either do not have access to the movie or simply wish not to watch it.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Internet access, and basic operating knowledge of WordPress, Microsoft Word, and Blackboard.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
There are 16 lessons to complete during the semester. Each lesson is organized on its own page on the class blog on WordPress; each lesson follows the same basic structure: a reading, a quiz, and discussion prompted by a question I post on the blog. Students will read in the assigned textbook, complete the quizzes and exams in Blackboard, and post to a discussion page in the class blog.

COURSE SCHEDULE
See above.

COURSE POLICIES
Reading: In order to maintain the rigor of a 3-credit course, you will be responsible for reading all of the assigned material. For you to be successful in this course, it is imperative that you read the assigned readings before you complete the weekly quiz and enter the weekly discussion. Remember, this is an independent learning experience: if you do not put in a large amount of independent effort, you will not be successful in the course.

Late Assignments: As a rule late work is generally not accepted. Late assignments will only be considered  on very rare occasions for legitimate emergencies (such as a death in your family). Late assignments will not be accepted because of situations including but not limited to work schedules, travel arrangements, etc. Because of this, if you expect that you might be delayed in submitting an assignment for these reasons, please plan ahead and submit the work early to make the due date.

Academic Integrity
As described by UAF, scholastic dishonesty constitutes a violation of the university rules and regulations and is punishable according to the procedures outlined by UAF. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an exam, plagiarism, and collusion. Cheating includes providing answers to or taking answers from another student. Plagiarism includes use of another author’s words or arguments without attribution. Collusion includes unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of any course requirement. Scholastic dishonesty is punishable by removal from the course and a grade of “F.’ For more information go to Student Code of Conduct.

HOW TO SUBMIT ASSIGNMENTS
Quizzes and exams are taken in Blackboard. WordPress hosts class discussion.

HOW TO CHECK YOUR GRADE
Check your grade by clicking on the ‘My Grades’ link in the left side menu of the Blackboard course shell. A green icon indicates that the assignment has not been graded. Please read all instructor feedback provided on graded assignments. I do not trust Blackboard and therefore always calculate final grades on paper. If Blackboard does not reflect your work, please let me know.

EVALUATION POLICIES

Exams: You will have 2 exams during the semester. One will be a mid-term exam and one will be a final. They will be open book, and open note, but you’ll only have 90 minutes to take the exam. The questions on the exams may be multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, and essay questions. Each exam is worth 300 points, for a total of 600 possible exam points, which is 60% of your total grade.

Weekly Quizzes: You will have 12 weekly quizzes, worth 10 points apiece, for a total of 120 possible points, which is 12% of your total grade. If you fail to complete two or more quizzes during the semester, you will receive 0 points on all quizzes for the semester.

Discussion & Participation: Each week you must respond to the discussion questions. You can quote and link to other articles and websites you find online in your response, or you can discuss your own perspective; but these responses must be substantial. You must also respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. If you fail to complete two or more weekly discussion responses, you will receive 0 points on all discussion responses for the semester. You will have 15 weekly discussion responses, worth 10 points apiece, there are a total of 150 possible Discussion & Participation points, which 15% of your total grade.

Peer Response: In addition to your weekly discussion post, you must respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. A total of 130 possible peer response points are available to you, which is 13% of your total grade.

12 quizzes, 10 points each: 120 points (12%)
1 Midterm Exam: 300 points (30%)
1 Final Exam: 300 points (30%)
15 Discussion Responses, 10 points each: 150 points (15%)
Peer Response (commenting on other classmates’ posts): 130 points (13%)
–––––––––
1000 total points

You can earn a possible 1000 points over the course of the semester. 900-1000 is an A, 800-899 is a B, 700-799 is a C and so forth.

EFFORT AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
Reading Textbook/Reviewing Lecture Notes 40%
Blog Discussion / Peer Response 30%
Quizzes and Exams 30%

Pacing Expectations
Although actual hours spent each week will vary between individuals, students should expect to spend an average of 9 hours per week on this course.

EXPLANATION OF W, NB, I GRADES

Withdrawals
Successful, Timely Completion of this Course Starting and establishing your progress through this course early can help to encourage your successful completion of the course. Toward this end, this course adheres to the following UAF eCampus procedures:
1. Failure to submit the first CONTACT assignment within the first week of the course could result in withdrawal from the course.
2. Failure to submit the first CONTENT assignment within the first two weeks of the course could result in withdrawal from the course.
3. Failure to submit the first three content assignments by the deadline for faculty-initiated withdrawals (the ninth Friday after the first day of classes) could result in instructor initiated withdrawal from the course (W).

No Basis Grades
This course adheres to the UAF eCampus Procedure regarding the granting of NB Grades The NB grade is for use only in situations in which the instructor has No Basis upon which to assign a grade. In general, the NB grade will not be granted.

Incompletes
Your instructor follows the University of Alaska Fairbanks Incomplete Grade Policy.
“The letter “I’ (Incomplete) is a temporary grade used to indicate that the student has satisfactorily completed (C or better) the majority of work in a course but for personal reasons beyond the student’s control, such as sickness, he has not been able to complete the course during the regular semester. Negligence or indifference are not acceptable reasons for an “I’ grade.’

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE TIME
I will respond to most emails  within twenty-four hours. Assignments will be graded within seven days of completion date. If you see my available for chat on Google, feel free to begin a conversation.

SUPPORT SERVICES

UAF eCampus Student Services helps students with registration and course schedules, provides information about lessons and student records, assists with the examination process, and answers general questions. Our Academic Advisor can help students communicate with instructors, locate helpful resources, and maximize their distance learning experience. Contact the UAF eCampus Student Services staff at 907- 479-3444 or toll free 1-800-277-8060 or contact staff directly — for directory listing see: https://distance.uaf.edu/staff/ .

UAF Writing Center
The Writing Center is a student-staffed, student-oriented service of the English Department. Tutors can assist you in all phases of the writing process, including the following: brainstorming and generating topics, organizing ideas, developing research strategies, use of citation styles (MLA, APA, and Chicago), and editing for clarity and correctness. Tutors collaborate with each student on a one-to-one basis in any phase of the writing process: planning, drafting, or revising. They also help writers discover ways of improving grammar, mechanics, and punctuation.
https://www.alaska.edu/english/writing-center/
Phone: (907) 474-5314

UAF Help Desk
Click here (https://www.alaska.edu/oit/) to see about current network outages and news.
Reach the Help Desk at:
· e-mail at helpdesk@alaska.edu
· fax at (907)-450-8312
phone in the Fairbanks area is 450-8300 and outside of Fairbanks is 1-800-478-8226

DISABILITIES SERVICES
Include standard statement about where to get services.
The UAF Office of Disability Services operates in conjunction with UAF eCampus. Disability Services, a part of UAF’s Center for Health and Counseling, provides academic accommodations to enrolled students who are identified as being eligible for these services.

If you believe you are eligible, please visit their web site (https://www.uaf.edu/apache/disability/) or contact a student affairs staff person at your nearest local campus. You can also contact Disability Services on the Fairbanks Campus by phone, 907-474-7043, or by e-mail (fydso@uaf.edu).

6 thoughts on “Schedule & Syllabus

  1. John McClain

    Hello,

    I would like to get a little clarification please. With respect to the responses required, I would like to know if we need to respond to two peers initial responses, in reference to the article, plus two responses to two commentaries made by two peers. I believe I may be making this more complicated than it is, but I would rather ask first, before I take a hit on participation. Thank you for your consideration!

    Respectfully,

    John

  2. Jennifer Popa Post author

    Hah, I can see how that might be confusing John. So much responding! So, your discussion post is a response to my discussion questions which is why I said “response” above (I’m going to change it after I type this to avoid further confusion). Your job is to type your post and share it, then write to two of your peers so you are talking with each other and not just posting blurbs and avoiding each other all semester. So, write your post, and talk to two other people who’ve written their posts. Does this help clarify?

    1. Victoria Adams

      Thanks for the clarification! So we write up our answer to your question, and then have to talk to two other students? Also, how long would you like our responses to be?

      1. Jennifer Popa Post author

        I have hesitated to give an official word count because ultimately what I am looking for is critical thinking and engagement with the text. Also, this is really the only writing you’re doing in the course, so I suspect a substantial response with thought put into it is really what it boils down to. I would say a paragraph is probably too short, but don’t feel the need to write five pages. I realize this is deliberately vague, but I promise I’m not trying to make you tear your hair out for sport. I’m mostly interested in critical thinking, so however many paragraphs or words it takes to display thoughtful consideration of the reading depends upon the writer. And when talking to your peers if you ask questions, and challenge each other it’ll only make you a better writer and thinker. Also, don’t forget to look to the grading rubric for guidance.

        https://engl200-fall2014.community.uaf.edu/grading-rubric/

    2. Jared

      Ok, I think I have it down. This is my first online course and I expected a slight learning curve. I hope that asking the initial question will also help to clarify to others. Thank you so much for the quick response time.

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