ENGL 436: Literary/Film Themes (Writing Intensive/UWR Writing Intensive)
Peace and War

Credit hours: 3
CRN: 31587
Meetings: Tuesdays as follows:
 

Odd weeks	6-8:20 PM LH117 Seminar (incl. 15-min. break)
Even weeks	6-6:45 PM LH 117 Seminar 7-9:30 PM ZH 142 Film and Discussion

Instructor:
Nancy Knowles
Office: Loso 146--(541) 962-3795
E-mail: nknowles@eou.edu
Course home page: http://www.eou.edu/~nknowles/436
Office hours: M 10-11, T 2-3, R 10-11, and by appointment.

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing and consent of instructor.

Catalog description: This course will provide an in-depth study of a major theme in one or more genres, historical periods, or authors.

Course focus:  This term, ENGL 436 will focus on peace and war in literature and film.

Theoretical approach: This course assumes

• a recursive connection between reading/viewing and ethics, that what one reads and views actively engages one's ethics and that one's ethics influences the interpretation of what one reads and views.
  
• that theories of peace and war provide a foundation for addressing those issues in literature and film and that individuals can use theory to understand their own ethics, which will in turn assist them in understanding they ways they interpret such issues in literature and film.
  
• a vital link between literary and film techniques and the representation of peace and war, both in the creative choices authors and auteurs make and in how those choice impact the reader/viewer.

Academic philosophy: In ENGL 436, participants are scholars engaged in inquiry and dialogue regarding course content. Scholars read widely. They find relevant materials not only in academic or literary works but also in daily life, and they synthesize those materials to make meaning for themselves and to share that meaning with others.

1. Read literature/film about peace and war critically,

2. Situate their understanding of peace and war literature/film within peace and war theory and within their personal ethical understanding of peace and war,

3. Employ effective writing strategies for discovery and demonstrating learning,

4. Lead and participate in public discussion about peace and war literature/film and ethics.

Outcomes for upper-division UWR writing-intensive courses:

• Students will produce at least 5,000 words (including drafts, in-class writing, informal papers, and polished papers); 2,000 words of this total should be in polished papers which students have revised after receiving feedback and criticism. 
• Students will practice the forms of writing and reflect upon the nature of the writing used by graduates and professionals in the discipline the course represents. 
• Students will write at least one paper integrating information from more than one source, employing the appropriate documentation style for the discipline represented by the course. 
• Students will draft, revise, and edit their formal written work. 
• Students will seek assistance from a Writing Tutor in the Writing Lab when needed and when referred by the instructor.

Means of assessment (The above outcomes will all be assessed using the following methods):

• Attendance and participation in course meetings and events (10%)
• Public discussion leadership (10%)
• Course notebook (15%)
• Two small projects (20%)
• Term project (40%)
• Final discussion (5%)
• Optional extra credit: participate in community book discussion of Orwell's 1984 Monday nights at 7 PM beginning week 2 in the Pierce Library Reference Room
• Optional extra credit: view Fahrenheit 911 October 6, 7, or 11 in McKenzie Theatre at 7 PM
  
• Optional extra credit: class viewing of Wag the Dog
  

Course requirements:

• Reading: read all assigned texts by the week they are assigned.
• Attendance: Because this course meets only one night a week, attendance is required. More than two absences without a serious, demonstrated excuse will result in course failure. Attendance is also required at the Theatre Department's performance of Arms and the Man November 11,12, or 13. Purchase tickets well in advance; sold-out shows are no excuse. Click here for production and ticket information: http://www.eou.edu/theapics/20042005season.htm
• Participation: Because this course will be taught seminar-style, participation is required. In addition to assigned readings and materials, students will be expected to come prepared with ideas and questions so that we can work towards shared understanding through discussion.
• Public discussion leadership: Students will be expected to lead discussion once for a course event open to the public.
• Course notebook: Use a three-ring binder to collect texts and images encoutered outside the classroom and to collect written reflections on course materials. Each week beginning week 2, bring copies for the class of one text or image located. I will expect these course contributions to represent a variety of media and sources.
• Two Small Projects: Write two documents related in some way to this course. Aside from minimum length requirements, the format is open, but the content should reflect mastery of course material. Be ready to share these in class.
• Term Project: Students will submit two drafts of the term project and will provide feedback to one another. All ideas and words belonging to others must be properly cited in MLA format; use a handbook or visit the following site: http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/index.shtml. I will require submission of secondary materials so that I can help you double-check this. Extra credit will be awarded for documented use of the EOU Writing Lab.

• Three-ring binder
• Copies of reserve readings for yourself
• Copies of weekly text or image for the class
• George Orwell 1984
• George Bernard Shaw Arms and the Man
• Virginia Woolf Three Guineas
• Sheri S. Tepper The Gate to Women's Country

• Peace and War Bibliography and Links
• Highlights in Peace and War History