ENGL 110 - Composition and Literature - Dr. Chase Dimock

Course:	Composition and Literature
Professor:	Dr. Chase Dimock
Email:	chase.dimock@canyons.edu
Format:	Online
Course Length:	Applies to All Course Lengths

Introduction

Welcome to ENGL 110 I am Dr. Chase Dimock and I will be the professor. My dog Dodger will be the Teaching Assistant. He loves making literary memes, so you will see plenty of him during the semester. I am excited to share some or my favorite works of literature and to work with all of you on your literary analysis skills.

Course Description

Here are the official course description, learning outcomes, and course objectives:

Units: 3.00 - UC:CSU, May Be Taken Once for Credit

Prerequisite: ENGL-101 or ENGL-101H

Description: Introduces representative works from major genres, develops students’ close reading and analytical writing skills, and promotes appreciation and critical understanding of the cultural, historical, and aesthetic qualities of literature.

Student Learning Outcome:

Compose well-structured, grammatically-correct essays which assert the reader's analytical interpretation of a literary work and support that interpretation with convincing textual evidence.
Identify key elements of major genres in order to analyze and interpret texts

Course Objectives:

Analyze the relationship between literary genre and meaning.
Analyze the effect of point of view, character, diction, tone, imagery, figurative language, plot, and structure on the theme of the literary work.
Relate the text’s themes and values to the social, historical, ethical, psychological, philosophical, or religious context of the work.
Compare one’s own values to those of the text, and debate the extent to which the literary work’s values challenge those of the reader.
Analyze how specific works are influenced by dominant and/or subversive ideologies.
Evaluate the formal and stylistic aspects of the literary work.
Create a thesis that argues and assembles the reader’s interpretation of a literary work or works, and assemble supporting evidence to validate that interpretation from appropriate primary and secondary sources.
Compose analytical essays that demonstrate appropriate academic discourse and the conventions of literary analysis.
Analyze and evaluate literary texts according to their use of formal literary elements and through a variety of critical theories.
Compare and contrast interpretations of specific texts through different literary theories.

What to Expect in this Course

ENGL 110 is designed to introduce students to popular literary forms and successful strategies for writing literary analysis. The course is broken up into four units on the following literary forms: poetry, short fiction, drama, and the novel. For the first three units, we will read a variety of styles across historical eras and cultures. The goal is to give you a taste of the diverse ways in which writers have used the conventions of these literary forms to express unique themes and comment on social issues pertinent to their times.

All four units will end with an academic, literary analysis essay that critically examines how the authors use the conventions of their genre and literary elements to express their perspectives on common themes. We will practice in class how to perform the close readings of texts necessary for advancing an interpretation of literature. This will culminate in a thesis-driven essay that uses close readings as evidence to support a main argument about the author’s expression of a theme. Along the way, we will study literary and critical theories that will help you interpret the texts. We will end the course by learning how to write a literary research paper that incorporates historical background, biographical information, and literary scholarship into an original argument.

My pedagogical mission is to help all of you become more insightful readers of literature and more precise writers. Beyond the learning objectives, it is also my hope that the course augments your ability to appreciate literature and allow it to speak to you personally. Literature is always about communicating the human condition and what it means to live with dreams, desires, and fears in a world where everyone else is also navigating the same drives. In the process of comparing central, universal human themes, we will explore how literature can help us understand how we process these issues in our own lives and create a better understanding of others.

Types of Assessments

Essays
Exams
Discussion Boards
Short Responses

Textbook Information

Norton Introduction to Literature (shorter) (14th Edition) ISBN: 9780393886306
(You can use the paper copy or the digital version)

Passing By Nella Larsen, Norton Critical Edition ISBN: 9780393979169
(You will need the Norton Critical Edition in order to do all the assignments. Other editions will not contain the background readings you need to complete your assignments)

Other Relevant Course Information

As your professor, my top priority is your success as a student. I understand that all of you enter the classroom from diverse backgrounds with your own sets of challenges and goals. My mission is to help you meet the challenges that the course presents and show you how to integrate the skills and content from class into aiding your broader goals as a student. I know that every student has unique talents and perspectives and it is my hope to provide a forum for you to showcase and develop them in a way that enriches the learning experience of your fellow students.

I also realize that reading and writing can be difficult for many students and that people learn in different ways and at different paces. While I have to keep the course moving along at a predetermined schedule in order to meet our learning outcomes, I will do what I can to individualize my instruction to meet your needs. If you reach out to me with reasonable requests, I will do my best to meet you where you are. If you are having trouble with the material, or if other circumstances are affecting your studies, please let me help.

My success as a professor is dependent on your success as a student. I need engaged, motivated, and thoughtful students for my class to become a great learning environment. When you give it your best effort, you in turn enable me to use my most effective teaching techniques. Together we can achieve our full potential in creating an exciting and enlightening learning experience.

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 02/20/2024 Sub#: 1013