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Room: ECH 320, Engl 4416 (Honours Seminar) Dr. Kathleen McConnell Office: ECH 323 Description This course is not the usual hermetic, write-a-term-paper-for-the-prof deal, oh no. We’re going to get the word OUT on some of Canada’s least appreciated, best writers, through the NB Literary Encyclopedia, CanLit, Wikipedia, the Research and Ideas fair and any other reputable venue we find. Who? The already-established names: Anne Compton, Mary Dalton, Sue Goyette, Rita Joe, Travis Lane, Anne Simpson, Maxine Tynes. The prior generations: Elizabeth Bishop, Anna Minerva Henderson, Travis Lane, Kay Smith. The unexpected names: Shari Andrews, Tammy Armstrong, Lesley-Anne Bourne, Elizabeth Brewster, Lynn Davies, Sheree Fitch, Lorri Neilsen Glenn, Tonya Gunvaldsen Klassen, Elizabeth Harvor, Eileen Cameron Henry, Janice Kulyk Keefer, Carole Langille, Jeanette Lynes, Sue MacLeod, Sharon McCartney, Eleonore Schonmaier, Alison Smith, Agnes Walsh, Marion Francis White, Shauntay Grant. I’ll stop there, but there’re lots more. There’s an“etc” implied at the end of all these lists, and there’s a lot of crossover betwixt them, too. How? We’ll start with really short “seed” presentations on some of the research tools available to us, then move on to merely short presentations on issues in Canadian poetry that will define the whole, rough field, roughly. Then we’ll do longer presentations on the established and prior generations of Atlantic Canadian Poets, to get our bearings in that neglected and overgrown acerage. While you’re doing that, I’ll be bringing poems and books into class for us to discuss. In the winter term, we’ll start looking at the culture of writing in this region – writing groups, prizes, periodicals, reviewing, arts support, etc – and how they cultivate, neglect and otherwise shape the good writing life in this region. Finally, there will be a long project concerning the work and lives of two or more of the lesser-known poets. And somewhere in there, you’re invited to do your own creative response to the material on the course. A note of caution: this is an honours seminar. You have a lot of freedom, but that means you also have a lot of responsibility, particularly in terms of keeping track of, and preparing for, presentations. Resources The course uses Moodle, and the HIL’s e-resources extensively, so consistent, reliable access to a computer and the internet is essential. You’ll also be in the library A LOT. Have a good desk dictionary at your disposal (i.e. Oxford or Webster), as well as a writing reference with a glossary (i.e. Rooke, Hacker, the MLA Handbook, etc.). Evaluation Breakdown of Marks Autumn Winter Throughout Additional information will be provided on most of these at the appropriate time. Presentations missed for legitimate, documented reasons, and with due notice given to the prof (at least 24 hours in advance, where possible) will be rescheduled as soon as possible, usually the next class. Those who miss their presentations without notice or documentation will incur a grade of "0" and my wrath. Research Resources 5% Issues in Canadian Poetry 10% Issues in Atlantic Canadian Poets’ Work 20% The Real World and Atlantic Canadian Women Writers 10% Two (or more) Writers Examined 25% Going Public 10% Ideally, the project need not be accepted by the end of the course; I just need evidence that it was submitted. But, there’s no reason for it NOT to be submitted and accepted.... People who go public, or try to, with more than one project will find their participation mark goes through the roof. Participation 10% (hint: look up h) Creative Project 10%
Necessary Evils Late Work And Absences As mentioned earlier, presentations missed for legitimate, documented reasons and with due notice given to the prof (at least 24 hours in advance, where possible), will be rescheduled as soon as possible, usually the next class. Those who miss their presentations without notice or documentation will receive a grade of "0". Students who submit late written assignments for reasons beyond their control will not be penalized, particularly if they inform the instructor of their situation at least a day before the assignment is due. When appropriate, documentation of the need for an extended due date will be required. Students who inexplicably miss more than two classes per term will lose 1% from their grade for every subsequent missed class. Expectations, Evaluation, Academic Misconduct No cell phones or other electronic devices allowed. Except for presentations, laptops may be used only if deemed necessary by the Coordinator for Students’ Accessibility. In the University Calendar there is a general Statement of Mutual Academic Expectations. Specifically for this class you will be expected to respect your fellow students, as well as your own education, by Check out the University Calendar for an explanation of letter grades and GPAs, and for the rules governing academic misconduct. Plagiarism is the representation of someone else’s ideas, data, or opinions as your own. It is a serious form of intellectual dishonesty. University regulations on plagiarism and cheating will be strictly enforced. Please come to see me if you have any questions about what constitutes plagiarism. Letter / number grade equivalents for this course are as follows:
Kathleen McConnell / English / Faculty / STU Homepage
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