WRITINGS
READINGS
Vintage Didion
Shakespeare. "Richard III." Signet
Other Voices, Other Vistas
Booth, The Craft of Research
The Best American Essays 2004
An English Handbook
ASSIGNMENTS
A research paper will be written on either Shakespeare's "Richard III" or a subject suggested by one or more of the other readings; it will convey an arguable position through a definite thesis and reasoned development, and will employ MLA documentation; its length will be about ten pages, typed and double-spaced. A second essay on short stories or plays or poetry will be shorter, around four pages. An alternative assignment to the second essay is to present to the class a translation of a poem from a foreign language. You will distribute copies of the poem and read the poem aloud to the class. The following will be included: the poem in the original language; a transliteration, if necessary; a word-for-word translation; your own fluent translation.
STUDENT OBJECTIVES:
The student will demonstrate an ability to write clear expository prose relatively free of grammatical and stylistic problems; to read with understanding of meaning and structure; and to use the library well as evidenced by a research paper documented according to MLA standards.
OTHER MATTERS
Attendance and preparation are mandatory; I am,
however, a reasonable person and will excuse necessary lapses. My desk is in the
Humanities Office of the Bisdorf Building, Room 252; the office number is
845-6242, and my home number is 281-1323. My e-mail addresses are:
gvathing@nvcc.edu and TVathing@aol.com.