Honors Composition

English 104, Spring 2001

Jack Lynch

Hours: Monday, 2:30-4:00, and by appointment (appointments are best).

Home: (609) 882-4642 (before 10:30 p.m.!).

E-mail: jlynch@andromeda.rutgers.edu (the best way to reach me).

Listserv: lynch104 @ andromeda.rutgers.edu (for the whole class).

Course Requirements

• Written Assignments: There will be four papers of 1,500 words each; three of them will be due on fixed dates, indicated on the syllabus. You'll distribute the fourth to the class by E-mail for in-class discussion on an arranged date, once in a first draft, and then, in the following class meeting, in a thoroughly revised version. In most class meetings, therefore, forty minutes will be set aside to discuss the first draft of a new paper, and the revised draft of something we've seen before. A completely polished version of this in-class paper is due at the end of the semester. There are also several shorter writing assignments and four short OED Exercises.
• Attendance: Almost any excuse, given in advance (in person, by phone, or by E-mail), will receive my blessing. Absences not excused in advance will be frowned upon, and your final grade will be lowered by half a grade for each unexcused absence after the second. The same policy applies to late papers: I'll grant extensions, but only if you talk to me before the due date.
• Class Participation: Regular and active class participation (including doing the readings) is essential, and counts for a large part of your grade.
• Computing: Some essential information will be available only electronically. All students therefore must have an E-mail account by the end of the first week of classes, and must be able to use the World Wide Web. Participation in the mailing list (lynch104 @ andromeda.rutgers.edu) will count toward the class participation grade. I'll provide any computing help you need.
• Plagiary: It should go without saying, but all work in this class must be your own. Handing in someone else's work as your own will result in an F for the course with no second chance, and may result in disciplinary action. I encourage you to use outside sources, but you have to cite anything you didn't write yourself. If you have even an inkling of a doubt about what's legitimate or how to cite something, see me before handing in the paper.
• Readings: Three books — The Declaration of Independence & Other Great Documents of American History (abbreviated DI); Henry David Thoreau, Walden; and Mary Shelley, Frankenstein — are available from New Jersey Books. Other readings will be available on-line or in a packet of photocopies from Print Media Services at 160 University Ave. (across from New Jersey Books).

Schedule of Class Meetings

Wed., 17 Jan.:

Introduction.

Mon., 22 Jan.:

Library Session One: Internet Research (meet in the Electronic Classroom, 021A, in Dana Library).

Wed., 24 Jan.:

The Declaration of Independence (DI, pp. 5-9).

Mon., 29 Jan.:

The Declaration of Independence (continued).

Wed., 31 Jan.:

The Declaration of Independence (continued). OED Exercise Due.

Mon., 5 Feb.:

Patrick Henry, "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" (DI, pp. 1-4); James Madison, Federalist 10 (DI, pp. 35-42).

Wed., 7 Feb.:

William Lloyd Garrison, The Liberator (DI, pp. 69-71); Abraham Lincoln, The Emancipation Proclamation (DI, pp. 89-91), The Gettysburg Address (DI, pp. 92-93), Second Inaugural Address (DI, pp. 94-96). Research Evaluation Exercise Due.

Mon., 12 Feb.:

Henry David Thoreau, Walden, pp. 1-72.

Wed., 14 Feb.:

Thoreau, Walden, pp. 72-144. OED Exercise Due.

Mon., 19 Feb.:

Thoreau, Walden, pp. 144-216.

Wed., 21 Feb.:

Library Session Two: Getting around the Rutgers Library System (meet in the Electronic Classroom in Dana Library). Paper One Due.

Mon., 26 Feb.:

Frederick Jackson Turner, "The Significance of the Frontier in American History" (on-line).

Wed., 28 Feb.:

Benjamin F. Wright, Jr., "Political Institutions and the Frontier"; Louis M. Hacker, "Sections — Or Classes?" (photocopy packet).

Mon., 5 March:

George Wilson Pierson, "The Frontier and American Institutions: A Criticism of the Turner Theory" (photocopy packet).

Wed., 7 March:

Carlton J. H. Hayes, "The American Frontier — Frontier of What?" (photocopy packet). OED Exercise Due.

Mon., 12 March:

No Class: Spring Break.

Wed., 14 March:

No Class: Spring Break.

Mon., 19 March:

Burton M. Leiser, selection from Liberty, Justice, and Morals: Contemporary Value Conflicts; Jeffrey Weeks, "Against Nature" (photocopy packet).

Wed., 21 March:

"Summary Report of the Military Working Group on Recommended Department of Defense Homosexual Policy" (photocopy packet). Paper Two Due.

Mon., 26 March:

"Small Comfort for Gay Soldiers"; R. D. Adair and Joseph C. Myers, "Admission of Gays to the Military: A Singularly Intolerant Act" (photocopy packet); George Orwell, "Politics and the English Language" (on-line).

Wed., 28 March:

In-Class Debate (topic to be announced).

Mon., 2 April:

Library Session Three: Using the Reference Department (meet in the Electronic Classroom in Dana Library). Research Evaluation Exercise Due.

Wed., 4 April:

Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, vol. 1.

Mon., 9 April:

Shelley, Frankenstein, vol. 2.

Wed., 11 April:

Shelley, Frankenstein, vol. 3. Paper Three Due.

Mon., 16 April:

Frankenstein (continued). OED Exercise Due.

Wed., 18 April:

No Class: I'll be galivanting in New Orleans.

Mon., 23 April:

Frankenstein (continued).

Wed., 25 April:

Frankenstein (continued).

Mon., 30 April:

Conclusion. Final Paper (Revision of Your In-Class Paper) Due.