ENGL 490 (Schedule #25966)
Virginia Commonwealth University
Fall 2011
M 7-9:45pm :: Hibbs 440
Prof. David Golumbia
Office: 324D Hibbs Hall
Fall 2011 Office Hours: Weds 2-5pm

Senior Seminar
Contemporary Literature and Media

This class provides an opportunity for students to work collaboratively to develop a syllabus of theoretical readings about contemporary literary and media texts along with texts themselves. In the first few weeks of the semester the students work with the teacher to develop the full list of texts. An effort is made to cover a wide range of contemporary theories and kinds of media. Two short and one longer papers and vigorous discussion.

Texts

1. see schedule

Assignments and Evaluation

Evaluation will be based on written exercises and course participation as follows:

• Written work: two short papers, 4-5 pages each (20% each, 40% total)
  Two short papers on media or texts we use in class or another text or media object chosen in consultation with the instructor. The first of these papers will be due Oct 24; the second will be due Nov 16.
• One longer paper, 8-10 pages (40%)
  On similiar topics to the short papers, a longer paper will be due during the scheduled final exam time for the course. There is no other final exam.
• Participation (20%)
  This class is exclusively devoted to the discussion of and thought about reading, writing, and speaking. A great deal of the class will involve in-class reading and watching of media objects. The class only works if you come to the class having read the assignment, prepared to say something about the text.

Policies

• This course is taught primarily via discussion. Your attendance and participation are vital to its success. A significant portion of your grade (20%) depends on your class participation. Because the class meets only once a week, more than one unexcused absence will count against your final course grade. 3 unexcused absences results in automatic failure of the course, in accordance with College guidelines.
• No late work is accepted in this class. Work handed in late is automatically marked down one-third grade (e.g., a B becomes a B-) for each day it is late, and after one week becomes a failing grade for the assignment.
• You are expected to have done the primary reading and any other primary course assignments before the beginning of course each week.
• All work in this course is subject to the University's Honor Code. You may work in teams for some assignments, but all written work must be solely your own, and any reliance on published work must be properly cited.
• Final grades for the course will not be released until the entire class has submitted online course evaluations.

IMPORTANT OFFICIAL VCU INFORMATION

VCU Statement on Safety

What to know and do to be prepared for emergencies at VCU:

• Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts (www.vcu.edu/alert/notify). Keep your information up-to-date.
• Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms.
• Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other designated authorities.
• Know where to go for additional emergency information (www.vcu.edu/alert).
• Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234). Report suspicious activities and objects.

VCU Honor System

Virginia Commonwealth University recognizes that honesty, truth, and integrity are values central to its mission as an institution of higher education. The Honor System is built on the idea that a person’s honor is his/her most cherished attribute. A foundation of honor is essential to a community devoted to learning. Within this community, respect and harmony must coexist. The Honor System is the policy of VCU that defines the highest standards of conduct in academic affairs.

The Honor System states that faculty members are responsible for:

• Understanding the procedures whereby faculty handles suspected instances of academic dishonesty. Faculty are to report any infraction of the VCU Honor System according to the procedures outlined in our policy.
• Developing an instructional environment that reflects a commitment to maintaining and enforcing academic integrity. Faculty should discuss the VCU Honor System at the onset of each course and mention it in course syllabi.
• Handling every suspected or admitted instance of violation of the provisions of this policy in accordance with procedures set forth in the policy.

The Honor System in its entirety can be reviewed on the Web at
http://www.provost.vcu.edu/pdfs/Honor_system_policy.pdf or it can be found in the 2011-12 VCU Insider at http://www.students.vcu.edu/insider.html.

The Honor System must be upheld and enforced by each member of the Virginia Commonwealth University community. The fundamental attributes of our community are honor and integrity. We are privileged to operate with this Honor System.

Statement on Americans with Disabilities Act

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require Virginia Commonwealth University to provide an 'academic adjustment' and/or a 'reasonable accommodation' to any qualified individual with a physical or mental disability who self-identifies as having such. Students should contact the Disability Support Services office on the Monroe Park Campus (828-2253) or on the MCV Campus (828-9782) for appropriate academic adjustments or accommodations.

VCU Guidelines for Student Conduct

VCU faculty play a critical role in helping to build an environment that is conducive to the academic success of our students. As you know, VCU has policies and procedures designed to create an environment conducive to academic excellence. One of these policies and procedures can be found in a document entitled “Guidelines for Faculty Members Regarding Student Conduct in the Instructional Settings.” This document is available on the VCU Web at http://www.provost.vcu.edu/pdfs/FacultyGuideToStudentConductInInstructionalSettings.pdf or it can be found in the 2011-12 VCU Insider.

Understanding these guidelines will help you to encourage classroom behavior that does not detract from the quality of each student’s educational experience. Please read the document and think about your role in promoting a University culture based on mutual respect and civility.

As a reminder, both faculty and students should turn off cell phones and pagers while in the classroom.

Important Dates

Important dates for the Fall 2011 semester are available at:
http://academiccalendars.vcu.edu/?term=Fall+2011

VCU Mobile

The VCU Mobile application is a valuable tool to get the latest VCU information on the go. The application contains helpful information including the VCU directory, events, course schedules, campus maps, athletics and general VCU news, emergency information, library resources, Blackboard and more. To download the application on your smart phone or for more information, please visit http://m.vcu.edu/

Week-by-Week Syllabus

The syllabus for this class is jointlly determined with the students during the first few weeks of the semester. The current schedule in draft form is visible here.

Final paper due in my English Dept mailbox (Hibbs Hall), or electronically through Blackboard or via email during the final exam period (7pm, Mon Dec 12) for this course. Electronic copies of final papers are fully acceptable. There is no other final exam for the course.

Last updated November 17, 2011.