ENGL 499 (Section 902, Schedule #36121)
Virginia Commonwealth University
Spring 2018
MW 4:00-5:15pm :: Hibbs 440
Prof. David Golumbia
Office: 324D Hibbs Hall
Spring 2018 Office Hours: MW 3:00-4:00pm; Th 6:00-7:00pm
Senior Seminar: Contemporary Literature & Media
This course surveys a few of the many themes and issues in contemporary media and literature and the theory and criticism written about them. We'll read across a wide range of genres, global cultures, and media forms, focusing in particular on the novel and longer narrative forms, and on material produced within the past 10 or so years. Students will write two 10-page paper (or, optionally, one 20-page paper). Vigorous participation in class discussion is expected.
Texts
Texts for purchase (no specific editions are required)
Media
Assignments and
Evaluation
Evaluation will be based on written exercises and course participation as
follows:
- Papers (70%): students will write two papers of at least 2500 words on topics related to the course reading, each of which will count for 35% of the final grade. Students have the option of writing one longer paper that combines both assignments.
- Course Participation (30%): the instructor will assign a letter grade to each student reflecting their engaged participation in class during the term. Each student will offer a brief presentation on one of their course papers in the final days of class. The presentation will not be separately graded but will be incorporated into the participation grade.
Course-Specific Policies
- Attendance. This course is taught primarily via discussion. Your
attendance and participation are vital to its success. A significant
portion of your grade (30%) depends on your class participation. "Class participation" does not necessarily mean that you have said what everyone thinks is the smartest thing in the world, but has much more to do with whether other students know your name by mid-semester because you contribute to discussion regularly. More than 4 unexcused absences will
count against your final course grade. 6 unexcused absences results in
automatic failure of the course. An "excused" absence is one where you have a verifiable illness, or important commitment of which you notify the instructor beforehand, and does not count against the unexcused absence policy. An "unexcused" absence is when you do not show up for class, without verifiable explanation or approval beforehand.
- No Late Work. 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.
- Class Preparation. You are expected to have done the primary reading and
any other primary course assignments before the beginning of course each
week.
- Honor System. All work in this course is subject to the University's
Honor System. 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.
- Evaluations. Final grades for the course will not be released until
the entire class has submitted online course evaluations.
Official VCU Policy Statements
Please consult the Provost's official page on topics such as classroom conduct, email, the Honor System, and other important policy issues.
Week-by-Week Syllabus
Week One. Intro
Week Two. Legion
- Mon Jan 22. Legion season 1, episodes 1-6
- Weds Jan 24. Legion season 1, episodes 7-8
Week Three. Certain Women
Week Four. Her Body and Other Parties
- Mon Feb 5. beginning through "Eight Bites" (page 168)
- Weds Feb 7. "The Resident" and "Difficult at Parties"
Week Five. Sing, Unburied, Sing
- Mon Feb 12. beginning through Chapter 10
- Weds Feb 14. Chapter 11 to end
Week Six. Autonomous
- Mon Feb 19. beginning through Chapter 16
- Weds Feb 21. Chapter 17 to end
Week Seven. Black Panther
Week Eight. Spring Break
- Mon Mar 5. No class; spring break.
- Weds Mar 7. No class; spring break.
Week Nine. Columbus
- Mon Mar 12.
- Weds Mar 14. No class.
Week Ten. Exit West
- Mon Mar 19. Through Chapter 8
- Weds Mar 21. Chapter 9-end. First paper due.
Week Eleven. Homegoing
- Mon Mar 26. Through page 221.
- Weds Mar 28. Page 222-end.
Week Twelve. No classes
Week Thirteen. Eileen
- Mon Apr 9. Through page 194.
- Weds Apr 11. Page 194-end.
Week Fourteen. Dear Cyborgs
- Mon Apr 16. Through page 122.
- Weds Apr 18. Page 123-end.
Week Fifteen. Presentations
Week Sixteen. Presentations
Final paper is due by the end of the final exam period, 6:50pm, Monday, May 7, 2018, per the registrar's exam schedule. The paper should be submitted on Blackboard. No late papers can be accepted for the final paper assignment. There is no other final
exam for the course.
Last updated March 17, 2018.