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Course Syllabus

ENG 218
Exploring Dystopian and Post-apocalyptic Narrative

Pre Requisites: To enroll in this course, students must have successfully completed with
a grade of C or better: ENG 111, and one course of ENG 112, 113, or 114
Instructor: Abigail L Morris
Office Location:
Contact Information:
Office Hours:
Course Description
This course uses literature and film produced by a variety of creative minds past and
present to introduce students to the underlying complexities and realities of dystopian and
post-apocalyptic narrative, providing opportunities for students to move beyond
evaluation of such narratives as only popular entertainment.
Rationale
This course should be taken as an elective or to satisfy transfer requirements.
Expected Student Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
Recognize and articulate genre conventions
Assess cultural value/worth of texts based on student generated criteria
Identify and analyze connections between the texts and socio-cultural realities
Comparatively analyze texts of different eras and subgenres
Create multimodal projects that explore scientific and historical influences
Discuss and write about themes and ideas central to works studied
Create dynamic presentations on authors and their contributions to the genre
Course Credit Hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
Required Materials
Access to the Internet and word processing software
Most text selections will be provided in a variety of digital and print formats
Evaluation and Grading
Preparation and Participation
Short Essays
Reading Responses
Collaborative Presentations
Research Project

20%
10%
10%
20%
30%

Final Exam

10%

Preparation and Participation


Students must come to class prepared to engage in critical discussion and all materials
necessary for assigned activities. Students are required to actively engage with the
readings, other students, and the instructor during class discussions and work
cooperatively with others when assigned group work.
Short Essays
Each Student must complete a total of three short essays (3-4 pages, double-spaced, times
new roman, 12pt font). They will be given five essay prompts over the course of the
semester, and must choose three to write about for their grade. If a student chooses to
write on more than three prompts, the three highest grades will be chosen.
Reading Responses
Students will use journals to draft multidimensional reflective responses to each reading
that shows their active critical engagement with the text. Average length of responses will
vary. Journals may be either digital or print.
Collaborative Presentations
Students will work in groups to compose 10-15 minute presentations that examine the
text(s) and context(s) of works by authors not covered in our standard course work.
Research Project
Each student will devise and execute a research project that focuses on a specific text not
covered in class by an author of his/her choice. Research must be the focus of the project,
and a minimum of 6 documented sources (including the primary text) must be used to
support the students theory. The project should be 6-9 pages, double-spaced, and in
times new roman, 12 pt font. More information will only be given as project date nears.
Final Exam
Students who end the semester of face-to-face classes with less than an A grade will be
required to take a final exam consisting of true/false, multiple choice, and essay style
questions.
Class Conduct
Students are expected to actively participate when assigned work in groups, to keep up
with readings and other assignments outside of class, and to arrive to class on time and
prepared to engage critically with course materials and fellow learners.
Technology Policy
Students are encouraged to bring in devices to access the internet with. All forms of
technology are permitted in class, including cell phones, but any resulting disruptions will
be not be tolerated. Disruptive students will be asked to leave, and counted absent for that
session.

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