School of Social Sciences and Humanities

Department of English and Modern Languages

English 115
Introduction to Literature
Summer 2020

Instructor: Atanu Bhuiyan

Office:
Office Hours:
E-mail: atanu.bhuiyan@northsouth.edu

Course Description
ENG115: Introduction to Literature is an introductory level course designed to
provide students, who may otherwise not be familiar with the various genres of
English literature, with the opportunity and ability to engage with, understand,
critically analyse, and most importantly, be able to enjoy prose fiction, poetry, and
drama. As students read a diverse and varied range of literary texts, they will explore
basic concepts of literary techniques, and narrative, poetic, and dramatic structures.

In addition, students will also learn to engage on a deeper level with texts, literary or
otherwise, and be able to accurately contextualize each text. This will come in the
form of understanding the importance of texts from psychological, historical, ethical,
and philosophical viewpoints.

Course Objective
The purpose of the course is to teach students how to respond clearly and
intelligently to the concepts found in works of literature in English, by authors from
across the globe. The long-term goal here is for students to be able to take the skills
learned in this course, that of critical analysis and thought, beyond the confines of the
classroom and apply them to the increasingly complicated world we find ourselves in.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1) Demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for works of literature, as

evidenced in quizzes, assignments, and exams, which will further strengthen
their role as life-long learners
2) Illustrate proficiency in oral, written, and electronic forms of communication
3) Clearly explain key literary concepts in prose fiction, poetry, and drama
4) Use literary ideas and concepts to provide in-depth critical analyses
5) Recognize sub-textual elements and place literary works in their respective
cultural, historical, and global contexts
6) Identify key issues, themes, and motifs in works of writing
 7) Engage with various complex ideas presented through works of literature, and
become life-long learners with good leadership skills
8) Recognize the relevance of literature and ideas presented and compare and
contrast them with real world situations
9) Empathize with characters from a diverse array of cultures from different
ethical standings, championing a sense of tolerance and acceptance
10) Look outside of the conventional, essentially “thinking out of the box”, a key
trait of future leaders

Required Reading
All materials will be distributed to you in the form of a course packet which is
available in the NSU book store/Photocopy Centre. In addition, supplementary
materials will be provided via Google Classroom. A more detailed list of reading
materials can be found in the lesson plan.

Attendance and Participation (10%)

Attendance and participation contribute 10% to your overall marks and, as such, you
are required to attend all the classes, not only for a better grade but also for your
better understanding of the themes

According to NSU policy, if you have THREE consecutive absences, or FIVE absences
over the course of the semester, you will be automatically dropped from the course.
You should also come to class in time: every three late appearances will count as one
absence. Also, if you miss submissions due to absence in class, you can submit it at a
later date with 50% penalty. No exceptions.

Since participation remains integral for the classes and course to be productive, you
will need to come to class each and every day prepared to discuss the material. You
are also expected to arrive on time and participate in an informed and consistent
manner.

Since the classes are based on discussion, there are no fixed slides or discussions
available online, so it remains imperative that you attend the classes. A lack of
engagement with the materials of the course will also lead to a deduction of marks.
Your participation will be measured by your instructor based on your preparation for
each class, analytical understanding of the texts assigned, creative input in the class
conversation, an active tolerance for the diverse range of viewpoints being discussed,
and overall oral diction.

Graded on a daily basis according to the following:

5 points Present, Fully Prepared, Contributing, On Time
4 points Present, Partially Prepared, Contributing
3 points Present, but Completely Unprepared
0 points Absent

Since each class also deals with new texts, it is important that your attendance is
consistent so as not to overwhelm the amount of reading you have to do to
successfully answer questions in class discussions, quizzes, and exams.

Quizzes (15%)
There will be five quizzes taken throughout the semester. Each quiz will focus on a
different learning outcome, as stated in parentheses. These quizzes will evaluate you
based on your ability to:
a) Critically analyse texts (CLO3, CLO4, CLO5, CLO6)
 b) Examine a diverse range of social issues which are present in the texts covered
(CLO7, CLO8, CLO9)
c) Interpret texts based on original thought and a creative understanding
without resorting to third party sources such as aids or guides from either the
internet or available in print (CLO2, CLO9, CLO10)
d) Successfully communicate ideas about the texts discussed in both written and
electronic forms utilizing proper English grammar and structure (CLO2,
CLO3, CLO5, CLO10)
e) Illustrate an understanding of the moral, social, ethical, historical, and
psychological ideas which exist within the texts covered and relate them to
real world events (CLO1, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5, CLO8, CLO9)

Essays/Assignments (15%)
You will have to write one 500-word essay. The deadline of the essay will be
announced by your instructor. This essay will answer broader questions provided to
you by the instructor, and you will have to use your knowledge and understanding of
the texts covered in class to answer these questions successfully.

Exams (60%)
The date of the mid-term examination will be announced in class. The final
examination will be held after the semester during Finals Week. You will be expected
to write shorter essays based on more specific questions related to the texts covered.

Classroom Rules of Conduct

1. The ground rule for our class is respectful, open communication. We have many
things to learn from one another. Every single question is appreciated!

2. When you come to the class, you become part of a learning community. Please be
conscious of your community role, and work toward creating a healthy learning
atmosphere in the class.

3. Don’t chat during the class. If you have to, then feel free not to attend the class at
the expense of your attendance for the day. Inability to refrain from unnecessary,
disruptive chatting may result in a request to leave the classroom.

4. If you have to leave the class when it is in progress, sit near the door and leave
silently.

5. While in class, please switch off your cell phone. Inability to do so may result in
some penalty.

6. You must seek permission before using any sort of electronic gadget in the class
such as a laptop. Use of such gadgets for purposes other than note-taking during
lectures is strictly prohibited.

Academic Integrity
It is expected that you are committed to the principles of sincerity and academic
honesty. Copying and pasting from internet sources, quoting works of others without
acknowledging, or the like will receive ZERO tolerance. NO PLAGIARISM.

Assignments & Grading

Your grades will be weighted as follows:
Midterm + Final: 60% (Mid - 30% + Final - 30%)
Essays and Assignments: 15%
Quizzes: 15%
Attendance and Participation: 10%

Course Schedule
The course is divided into three parts: prose, poetry, and drama. A more detailed
lesson plan is attached at the end of the course outline.

Day 1: Introduction
Day 2-8: Poetry
Day 9-15: Prose Fiction
Day 16: Exam on Poetry & Prose Fiction
Day 17-24: Drama Fiction

Exams Policy

 You must come prepared for all your exams.

 You must come on time.
 Being late does not necessarily guarantee that you are going to get extra time
for writing your tests and exam.
 You must bring your own pencil, pen, eraser, and any other permitted items
that you may need during the tests and exam.
 All cell phones must be switched off.
 Any deviation from the standard procedures will not be taken lightly.
 Any unfair means adopted in the tests and exam will be seriously dealt with.
 Academic misconduct or failure to comply with the NSU Examination Code of
Conduct may result in F.

Official Grade Conversion Scale

Percentage Grade
93-100% A
90-92% A-
87-89% B+
83-86% B
80-82% B-
77-79% C+
73-76% C
70-72% C-
67-69% D+
60-66% D
<60% F