ENGL 3060: M ODERN AND C ONTEMPOR ARY L ITERATURE F ANTASY AFTER T OLKIEN

009 | MWF | 13.00 13.50 | HLMS 137 010 | MWF | 14.00 14.50 | HLMS 137

Instructor

Dr. Benjamin J Robertson 134 Hellems benjamin.j.robertson@colorado.edu MWF 12.00 13.00 | appointment

G ENE RAL I NFORMATION

Office E-Mail Office Hours

Fantasy literature offers something of a contradiction. On one hand, it is a thoroughly contemporary genre. Yes, the fantastic has a longer history than that provided by the twentieth century, but it was the twentieth century that gave the world fantastic as fantasy, magic that no one believed in, monsters that only existed in the imagination. However, on the other hand, fantasy implicitly and explicitly continues to allude to moments in the past when our understandings of the world were not quite set by science and rationality. The conflict endemic to a great deal of fantasy literature is that of modernity: the B RIEF passing away of the supernatural and its replacement by the mundane. Think of Tolkiens elves leaving Middle Earth or Lewis O VERVIEW OF children who grow up and can no longer find Narnia.

ENGL 3060
Considered in this context, fantasy literature offers up a number of avenues of investigation. What happens to the fantastic in the face of the rational? Why is the fantastic so often portrayed according to the tropes of realism? How do various representations of the fantastic allow us to rethink the history of modernity in the United States and the West? This class will read fantasy literature produced in the wake of and against Tolkien as an evolving set of genre conventions and as a literature committed to experimental considerations of nature and history. In addition to this syllabus, you are expected to be familiar with two other documents available on D2L: 1) a list of all required texts and 2) a schedule of readings, assignments, and T EXT S & presentations. I expect you to download, read, understand, and S CHEDULE make use of these documents. I will not respond to emails asking me when something is due or where to find readings for tomorrow. By signing the agreement at the end of this syllabus you acknowledge your understanding of these documents. Short papers (30%) Over the course of the term, there will be six short (3 4 pp) essay assignments. Each one will ask you to address a quote on fantasy literature. You must complete one out of every two of these papers (i.e. one of the first two, one of the second two, etc.) for a total of three. Each paper will C OURSE be worth 10% of your final grade. See the individual R EQUIREMENTS assignments, in D2L, for more details. Note: you may not write extra papers to make up for a poor mark or a previously missed paper. Final Paper (30%) A 6 8 pp essay that will be formally assigned with detailed

ENGL 3060: M ODERN AND C ONTEMPOR ARY L ITERATURE F ANTASY AFTER T OLKIEN
009 | MWF | 13.00 13.50 | HLMS 137 010 | MWF | 14.00 14.50 | HLMS 137

instructions in the weeks leading up to its due date. However, it is never too early to begin thinking about paper topics (especially given that rereading is often impossible given busy schedules). Therefore, I invite you to set up a meeting with me (or simply drop by my office hours) in advance of the deadline to discuss your ideas. Quizzes (30%) There will be 7 quizzes over the course of the term, given every other week. They will become available in D2L on Friday evenings and be available through Monday mornings (again, every other week). Each quiz will be comprised of 10 multiple choice questions drawn from the previous two weeks of reading (see the Daily Schedule for information on what dates each quiz will cover). These questions will be mainly factual (who did what to whom, etc.), with perhaps some small amount of interpretation based on our discussions. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped (you can therefore skip one quiz if you like, or drop the quiz for which your grade is lowest). As such, each of the six remaining quizzes will be worth 5% of your final mark. General participation (10%) There are any number of intangibles that fall under this general heading. In order for this class to be fun and energetic, you will have to come prepared to discuss the reading. You will have to raise you hand. You will have to make comments, ask questions, and be a part of the discussion. You will have to remain awake. I know that talking in class is not everyones idea of a good time, but part of your grade depends on it. A rule of thumb: if you have never heard me say your name in class, you are not participating enough (or you are falling asleep too often). Please, raise you hand. Dont make me call on you. Attendance As noted, attendance is not a formal component of the grade, but not showing up will adversely affect your final mark in this course. You are allowed to miss SIX (6) classes without penalty. Each additional absence after the first six will result in the loss of a letter grade (10%). Therefore, if you miss nine classes you will start with a C- (70%). If you miss an tenth class you will fail the course. Note: if you miss a conference we schedule, you will be charged an absence. Exceptions will be made in the case of a catastrophe. I will decide upon the definition of catastrophe on a case-by-case basis. Do not consider the first six absences you are allowed to be free. These should be saved in case of an emergency. If you blow them because you simply dont want to come, I will not give extra absences should an actual emergency come

ENGL 3060: M ODERN AND C ONTEMPOR ARY L ITERATURE F ANTASY AFTER T OLKIEN
009 | MWF | 13.00 13.50 | HLMS 137 010 | MWF | 14.00 14.50 | HLMS 137

up, unless it is deemed a catastrophe. (Note: neither going to the doctors nor going to court to contest a ticket are considered catastrophes. Notes mean nothing.) Additionally, be aware that if you are absent you are responsible for everything that happens in the class the day you miss. I, however, am not responsible for getting this information to you. I will do my best to be accommodating and helpful, but I (the student) couldnt get in touch with you (the instructor) is not a reason to not have something done for the subsequent session. A significant part of attendance is coming to class on time. If you are more than ten minutes late to class, you will be asked to leave and will not be able to sign in for the day.

DO NOT TEST ME ON THIS POLICY .

Note: Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. Please inform me of any conflicts with religious observances and we will work out a solution that is mutually satisfactory. http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html Late Work I will not accept writing after its due date without prior authorization. Prior authorization means TWO (2) class periods before and will not be granted because of work you have in other classes. Non-authorized late work will receive an F. Note: even if you fail a project because of lateness, you must still complete it. Failure to complete an assignment will result in an F grade for the course. Incompletes Incompletes will only be granted for non-academic reasons and only when less than 25% of the class is outstanding.

G RAD ING P OLICIES

Grades, being a description of what those letters on your papers mean On papers: A+ = 100; A = 95; A- = 92; B+ = 88; B = 85; B- = 82; C+ = 78; C = 75; C- = 72; D = 65; F = 0 Your letter grade will be converted to the appropriate number. That number will be multiplied by the % that amount the paper is worth (10% for short papers; 30% for the final paper) and rounded to the nearest tenth to determine how many points you receive. For example, a B+ on a short paper would earn 8.8 points towards your final grade (B+ = 88; 88 * .10 = 8.8).

ENGL 3060: M ODERN AND C ONTEMPOR ARY L ITERATURE F ANTASY AFTER T OLKIEN
009 | MWF | 13.00 13.50 | HLMS 137 010 | MWF | 14.00 14.50 | HLMS 137

On quizzes The lowest quiz score will be dropped. Quizzes will be converted to a raw score (e.g. 8/10 = 80) which will be multiplied by 5% (the amount each quiz is worth towards your final grade) to determine the number of points you receive for the quiz towards your final grade. E.g. if you score a 7/10 you will get 3.5 points towards your final grade (7/10 = 70; 70 * .05 = 3.5). In short, each quiz question is worth .5 points towards your final mark. For the final mark: 95 100 = A; 90 94 = A-; 87 89 = B+ ; 84 86 = B; 80 83 = B-; 77 79 = C+; 74 76 = C; 70 73 = C-; 65 69 = D; 0 64 = F Scores from papers and quizzes will be added to your participation mark. If you missed more than six classes, ten points will be subtracted from this score for every extra absence. The number that results from this operation will be your final mark.
+No cell phone use. That means no calls and no texting. If I catch you doing either, I will ask you to leave the class and you will be counted absent for the day. Each additional violation will result in the same penalty and may affect your final grade. +Laptops are permitted for reading PDFs and taking notes. O THER C OURSE However, if I catch anyone using a laptop for any purpose that is not demonstrably related to the class, that person will be P OLICIES asked to leave the class and counted absent for the day. Each subsequent violation will result in the same penalty as well as a full loss of the participation portion of the final grade. Each additional penalty will result in another 10% reduction of the final grade. +I expect you to bring all relevant materials to class on the day they are due. All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/. Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an

S TATEMENT R EGARDING A CADEMIC I NTEGRITY

S TATEMENT

ENGL 3060: M ODERN AND C ONTEMPOR ARY L ITERATURE F ANTASY AFTER T OLKIEN
009 | MWF | 13.00 13.50 | HLMS 137 010 | MWF | 14.00 14.50 | HLMS 137

appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, R EGARDING gender, gender variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will C LASSROOM gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or B EHAVIOR gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html #student_code The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices.

S TATEMENT R EGARDING D ISCRMINATION & H ARASSMENT

S TATEMENT FROM T HE B OUL DER P ROVOST ' S D ISABILITY T ASK F ORCE

ENGL 3060: M ODERN AND C ONTEMPOR ARY L ITERATURE F ANTASY AFTER T OLKIEN
009 | MWF | 13.00 13.50 | HLMS 137 010 | MWF | 14.00 14.50 | HLMS 137

This statement must be completed, signed, and returned to the instructor by Monday 6 February 2012. Failure to do so will result in a loss of 5% of the overall grade. I _______________________ have read all course materials (including this syllabus, the course schedule, and text list). Furthermore, I assert that I understand all course policies. _________________________ Sign _________________________ Date

S T AT EMEN T OF U NDE RSTA NDING