ENGL 210 introduces you to the conventions and characteristics of three genres or kinds of literature: short stories, drama, and poetry. Through reading, writing, and responding to others’ writing, you will gain an understanding of literary terms and concepts and learn to interpret, analyze, critically evaluate, and appreciate selections from these genres. The course emphasizes active reading, critical thinking, and effective writing.

Overall Course Objectives | Major Course Topics | Course Format | Orientation |
Course Requirements | Materials |

Overall Course Objectives

Once you have completed this course you will be able t

• Identify and apply literary terms, concepts, devices and characteristics in short stories,   poetry, and drama;
• Think critically and independently in interpreting short stories, poetry, and drama;
•  Analyze how literature reflects human values and thus has relevance to today’s world;
•  Describe the structural and language devices that are characteristic of the three genres studied;
• Write clearly and intelligently about literature;
• Communicate effectively an understanding of the literature and exchange ideas about literature;
• Understand and demonstrate the conventions of writing about literature;
• Use basic MLA-style documentation in writing about literature;
• Read literature more effectively with an appreciation for the sound and rhythm of words.

Major Course Topics

• Introduction to Reading Fiction, the Idea of the Literary Canon
• Reading and Writing from Different Critical Perspectives
• Plot, Style, Tone, and Irony
• Character, Point of View
• Setting, Symbolism, and Theme
• Introduction to Dram
• Shakespeare
• Introduction to Poetry
• Poetry: Ways of Making Sense
• Word Choice, Word Order, and Tone: Figures of Speech

Course Format

• Is not self-paced.
• Does not require an on-campus meetings.
• Does not require real-time chats.  Student dialogue occurs through responding weekly to each other's writing.

Orientation

This course does not have a face-to-face orientation.

Course Requirements

• Review the "What you should know before you register" section of the Distance Learning Homepage.
• Read assigned literature.
• Complete weekly journal responses to the assigned literature.
• Post weekly responses to specific assignments and react to other students' responses (i.e., class discussion).
• Complete all three essay exams (one for each genre studied).
• Write one critical paper.
• View one film on reserve in the HCC library (also available for rental at a local video store).

Materials

Textbook information:  To visit our bookstore's online sales site, please visit www.howardccbooks.com and follow the instructions for selecting textbooks.

Technical Requirements and Plug-Ins:

Review the Technical Requirements link above.  The following plug-ins are required for this course:

• Acrobat Viewer
• Internet Explorer
• Netscape
• PowerPoint Viewer, if you don't have the full version of Microsoft PowerPoint
• Windows Media Player
• Word Viewer, if you don't have the full version of Microsoft Word