Course Listings for First-year Students
Spring 2010
151. First-Year Writing Seminar.
Degree Requirement: F2
A course that develops the ability to read and think critically, to employ discussion and writing as a means of exploring and refining ideas, and to express those ideas in effective prose. Individual sections of the course will explore different topics in reading, discussion, and writing. Topics are selected by individual professors and are designed to help students develop transferable skills of analysis and argumentation, applicable to the various disciplines of the liberal arts and sciences. Several papers will be required, at least one of which will involve use of the library and proper documentation. The seminar will emphasize successive stages of the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, and revision, and will provide feedback from classmates and the instructor.
TOPICS:
TOPICS:
Fighting Words: Narrating American Wars
Professor Jessica Maxwell
Fighting Words: Narrating American Wars
Professor Jessica Maxwell
In this course we will examine how the story of America’s wars has been told in the 20th and 21st Centuries. You will be asked to critically engage with literary representations of war, as well as journalism, historical accounts, films, documentaries, photographic images, and memorials. As a class we will ask how an understanding of war is shaped through these different media and how, in turn, cultural consciousness is shaped through our understanding of a particular war. In other words, we will be asking what “work” these representations do. Do they re-write certain wars as part of a nation-building exercise, or, conversely, do they work as elements of protest? Do they attempt to complicate and dismantle previous assumptions regarding a particular war? We will work through these questions and many more by exploring such texts as Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, Ernest Hemingway’s In Our Time, the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial, and William Wyler’s 1946 film The Best Years of our Lives. For this course, you will be required to engage in regular classroom discussions, participate in writing workshops, and submit a final research project accompanied by a brief oral presentation and an annotated bibliography.
ENGL 151 01 MWF 10:00 am-10:50 am
ENGL 151 05 MWF 11:00 am-11:50 am
F2
In this course we will examine how the story of America’s wars has been told in the 20th and 21st Centuries. You will be asked to critically engage with literary representations of war, as well as journalism, historical accounts, films, documentaries, photographic images, and memorials. As a class we will ask how an understanding of war is shaped through these different media and how, in turn, cultural consciousness is shaped through our understanding of a particular war. In other words, we will be asking what “work” these representations do. Do they re-write certain wars as part of a nation-building exercise, or, conversely, do they work as elements of protest? Do they attempt to complicate and dismantle previous assumptions regarding a particular war? We will work through these questions and many more by exploring such texts as Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, Ernest Hemingway’s In Our Time, the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial, and William Wyler’s 1946 film The Best Years of our Lives. For this course, you will be required to engage in regular classroom discussions, participate in writing workshops, and submit a final research project accompanied by a brief oral presentation and an annotated bibliography.
ENGL 151 01 MWF 10:00 am-10:50 am
ENGL 151 05 MWF 11:00 am-11:50 am
F2
Composing Reality: Writing, Texts, and Life
Professor Emily Lindner
How do we gauge what is “crafted” and what is “real” in our world? Do texts reflect or shape personal and cultural identity? Are the boundaries between fact and fiction always clear and detectable? Reflecting on such questions and our own choices as writers, we will consider how acts of composition may or may not differ from other life experiences. As a writing community, we will develop our own literacy narratives, explore how cultural artifacts and practices can be read as living texts, and investigate how a variety of media genres complicate our understanding of what is written and what is real. Possible areas of inquiry include “reality” TV, memoir and autobiography, movie adaptations, documentaries, computer gaming, advertisements/product placement, and blogs/internet sharing sites. Using exploratory writing, 3-4 focused draft sequences, and frequent critical reflection, you will refine your drafting, revising, and editing skills as well as your reading, interpreting, and critical thinking proficiency. At the conclusion of the semester, you will compile a portfolio of written work.
ENGL 151 02 MWF 09:00 am-09:50 am
ENGL 151 04 MWF 10:00 am-10:50 am
F2
Composing Reality: Writing, Texts, and Life
Professor Emily Lindner
How do we gauge what is “crafted” and what is “real” in our world? Do texts reflect or shape personal and cultural identity? Are the boundaries between fact and fiction always clear and detectable? Reflecting on such questions and our own choices as writers, we will consider how acts of composition may or may not differ from other life experiences. As a writing community, we will develop our own literacy narratives, explore how cultural artifacts and practices can be read as living texts, and investigate how a variety of media genres complicate our understanding of what is written and what is real. Possible areas of inquiry include “reality” TV, memoir and autobiography, movie adaptations, documentaries, computer gaming, advertisements/product placement, and blogs/internet sharing sites. Using exploratory writing, 3-4 focused draft sequences, and frequent critical reflection, you will refine your drafting, revising, and editing skills as well as your reading, interpreting, and critical thinking proficiency. At the conclusion of the semester, you will compile a portfolio of written work.
ENGL 151 02 MWF 09:00 am-09:50 am
ENGL 151 04 MWF 10:00 am-10:50 am
F2
Composing Reality: Writing, Texts, and Life
Professor Emily Lindner
Composing Reality: Writing, Texts, and Life
Professor Emily Lindner
ENGL 151 02 MWF 09:00 am-09:50 am
ENGL 151 04 MWF 10:00 am-10:50 am
F2
Crossroads to Freedom Primary Research Seminar
Professor Rychetta Watkins
In this course you will engage in research and writing activities modeled after the online archive Crossroads to Freedom. This archive, located at www.crossroadstofreedom.org , “connects a digital archive of materials from the Civil Rights era in Memphis, TN, to community education and engagement. The purpose of the archive is to promote and support discussions of the impact of this historical period on our community today.” In particular, this section of English 151 will focus on the history of the African American freedom struggle in Memphis and the South by exploring the stories of veterans of World War II, the Korean conflict and Vietnam who were active or came of age during the “heroic” period of the Civil Rights Movement. We will critically assess, through oral history, readings, archival documents, speakers, documentary films, and other primary materials, how their personal experiences contribute to the larger story of the struggle for Civil Rights in Memphis, the South, and nationally. We will explore this theme by listening to the voices and perspectives of people who have lived, experienced, and “made” our history firsthand and by refining our own voices and perspectives as we reflect on our role as researchers and writers throughout the course.
Engl 151 03 MWF 09:00 am-09:50 am
F2
In this course you will engage in research and writing activities modeled after the online archive Crossroads to Freedom. This archive, located at www.crossroadstofreedom.org , “connects a digital archive of materials from the Civil Rights era in Memphis, TN, to community education and engagement. The purpose of the archive is to promote and support discussions of the impact of this historical period on our community today.” In particular, this section of English 151 will focus on the history of the African American freedom struggle in Memphis and the South by exploring the stories of veterans of World War II, the Korean conflict and Vietnam who were active or came of age during the “heroic” period of the Civil Rights Movement. We will critically assess, through oral history, readings, archival documents, speakers, documentary films, and other primary materials, how their personal experiences contribute to the larger story of the struggle for Civil Rights in Memphis, the South, and nationally. We will explore this theme by listening to the voices and perspectives of people who have lived, experienced, and “made” our history firsthand and by refining our own voices and perspectives as we reflect on our role as researchers and writers throughout the course.
Engl 151 03 MWF 09:00 am-09:50 am
F2
Engl 151 03 MWF 09:00 am-09:50 am
F2
Fakes, Frauds and Forgeries
Professor Elise Lauterbach
When we read a novel or watch a movie, we recognize that no matter how “real” the story seems, it’s a manmade work of fiction. But how do we interpret fictions presented as fact? This introduction to college writing and argument explores a variety of fakes, frauds, and forgeries, including con artists, circus sideshows, photographs of ghosts, blackface minstrels, mockumentaries, and writers working under assumed identities. Some of our subjects—like counterfeit money—have joined the real world without being seen, while others—like artists who adopt alternate personas—raise questions about the very nature of “the real.” Our course material, which spans some three-hundred years of history, won’t provide us with a comprehensive history of fakers, but it will help us investigate issues of authenticity, identity, authorship, performance, and that trusty old standby, reality. In addition to a final research project, you will write three shorter essays related to the course material and work closely on improving your own rhetoric and style: In your prose, you’ll practice that smooth presentation that helps you take down your mark. Successful academic argument shares some of the skill set of the confidence man.
ENGL 151 06 TR 08:00 am-09:15 am
ENGL 151 07 TR 09:30 am-10:45 am
F2
The New Yorker
Professor Rebecca Finlayson
In this section of English 151, we will read The New Yorker, a highly respected and popular weekly magazine with current news, short fiction, poetry, humor, and—most significantly—essays covering a variety of fields, including politics, medicine, the arts, science, history, international relations, religion, business, and music. Our class discussions will focus on analyzing these texts, in particular the arguments they make and the rhetoric they employ. Writing assignments will likewise respond to and critique the reading.
The New Yorker
Professor Rebecca Finlayson
In this section of English 151, we will read The New Yorker, a highly respected and popular weekly magazine with current news, short fiction, poetry, humor, and—most significantly—essays covering a variety of fields, including politics, medicine, the arts, science, history, international relations, religion, business, and music. Our class discussions will focus on analyzing these texts, in particular the arguments they make and the rhetoric they employ. Writing assignments will likewise respond to and critique the reading.
Professor Rebecca Finlayson
In this section of English 151, we will read The New Yorker, a highly respected and popular weekly magazine with current news, short fiction, poetry, humor, and—most significantly—essays covering a variety of fields, including politics, medicine, the arts, science, history, international relations, religion, business, and music. Our class discussions will focus on analyzing these texts, in particular the arguments they make and the rhetoric they employ. Writing assignments will likewise respond to and critique the reading.
ENGL 151 08 TR 09:30 am-10:45 am
F2
ENGL 151 08 TR 09:30 am-10:45 am
F2
F2
155. Daily Themes.
Degree Requirement: F2
155. Daily Themes.
Degree Requirement: F2
A course that develops the ability to read and think critically, to employ discussion and writing as a means of exploring and refining ideas, and to express those ideas in effective prose. Individual sections of the course will explore different topics in reading, discussion, and writing. Topics are selected by individual professors and are designed to help students develop transferable skills of analysis and argumentation, applicable to the various disciplines of the liberal arts and sciences. Several papers will be required, at least one of which will involve use of the library and proper documentation. The seminar will emphasize successive stages of the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, and revision, and will provide feedback from classmates and the instructor.
A course that develops the ability to read and think critically, to employ discussion and writing as a means of exploring and refining ideas, and to express those ideas in effective prose. Individual sections of the course will explore different topics in reading, discussion, and writing. Topics are selected by individual professors and are designed to help students develop transferable skills of analysis and argumentation, applicable to the various disciplines of the liberal arts and sciences. Several papers will be required, at least one of which will involve use of the library and proper documentation. The seminar will emphasize successive stages of the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, and revision, and will provide feedback from classmates and the instructor.
Topic:
Topic:
The New Yorker
Professor Rebecca Finlayson
In English 155, the Daily Theme alternative to English 151, each student will submit daily (one page) writing assignments, largely analyzing the argument and style of our weekly readings from The New Yorker magazine, a highly respected and popular weekly magazine with essays covering politics, medicine, the arts, science, history, international relations, religion, business, and music. Additionally, students will write themes employing specific rhetorical strategies. Twice during the term, you will write longer argumentative and research papers. Class time will be spent discussing the readings and your writing. By Invitation Only. Students may not take both English 151 and English 155.
ENGL 155 01 R 12:30-01:45 pm
190. Introductory Literature Courses
Degree Requirement: F4
These courses are designed specifically for first-year students and sophomores, and they explore a range of questions or problems in world literature. English 190 courses introduce students to the kinds of issues confronted in literary studies at Rhodes. They work with questions of language and style, history, psychology, and politics.
TOPICS:
Literature and Economics
Professor Gordon Bigelow
Since the rise of market capitalism in the eighteenth century, literature in Britain and America has provided especially focused commentary on economic issues, dealing with poverty and wealth, consumerism, market behavior, and financial crisis. This course will explore central ideas and debates in economics through readings in modern literature, from the 18th to the 20th century. Likely readings will include: Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, a primary fable of capital accumulation; North and South, by Elizabeth Gaskell, a book about Industrial Manchester in the nineteenth century; The Professor’s House by Willa Cather, about artistic life and intellectual property; and William Gibson’s breakthrough sci-fi novel Neuromancer. No prior coursework either in economics or literature is required, though students with experience in either field are welcome. This course will count toward the English major or minor. First Years and Sophomores only; however, ENG-151 is not required as a prerequisite for this course.
ENGL 190 01 MWF 12:00 pm-12:50 pm
F4, F2i
Medieval Frame Tales
Professor Lori Garner
The frame tale—that is, a framing narrative depicting a series of oral storytelling performances by the frame’s characters—was widespread and popular throughout the Middle Ages. This enormously flexible genre offers modern audiences an entertaining and representative introduction to the medieval world, since a single frame could encompass a range of story types as diverse as romance, fabliaux, saints’ lives, and allegory. While the course will focus primarily on Western frame tales, such as Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Boccaccio’s Decameron, and Marguerite de Navarre’s Heptameron, we will also explore Eastern predecessors, such as the Panchatantra and The Arabian Nights. All works will be read in translation, and no prior knowledge will be expected. This course will count toward the English major or minor. First Years and Sophomores only; however, ENG-151 is not required as a prerequisite for this course.
ENGL 190 02 MWF 01:00 pm-01:50 pm
F4, F2i
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