"Unspeakable Intimacies": English 104

English 104.04 - Thought and Expression - Fall 2006

Topic: "UNSPEAKABLE INTIMACIES"
[Unspeakable Calendar]

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course assumes that reading, writing, and thinking are interrelated activities, and that students can progress as writers by reading, discussing, and writing about complex, challenging texts. Readings consist of several highly controversial works of literature from the 1950s to the present, including Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita, Marguerite Duras' The Lover, Annie Proulx's "Brokeback Mountain," and selected stories from Mary Gaitskill's two collections, Because They Wanted To and Bad Behavior. These tales of illicit love – or of intimate relationships that are supposedly deviant, taboo, or somehow transgressive – have been both admired and reviled by readers, writers, and critics the world over. Why? What is so unsettling about these works, besides their obviously unconventional subject matter? In this day and age, can it still be dangerous to read a book? Through close reading, discussion, research, and various kinds of writing assignments, students will develop their own critical judgments on these works and the larger controversies surrounding them. Intriguing screenplays and film versions also exist of many of these texts, which we will consider as time allows.

REQUIRED TEXTS
Raymond Carver, "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" (xerox) from his short story collection of the same title and "Intimacy" (xerox) from his collection, Where I'm Calling From

Annie Proulx, "Brokeback Mountain" from her short story collection, Close Range + screenplay of Brokeback Mountain by Larry McMurtry and Diana Osanna

•Active and thoughtful participation in class discussions, including written questions or commentaries on the readings for class, as assigned. (At the end of the term, you will resubmit these responses to the readings in a portfolio. They will be graded as a whole at that time.)

•Three papers: one 3-4 page paper (draft and revision); one 4-5 page paper (draft and revision); and one 6-8 page paper requiring research and documentation (draft and revision).

•Various other writing assignments, including a one-page research proposal and a one-page abstract of your research paper.

EVALUATION
Approximate breakdown of the final grade: 1st paper = 10%; 2nd paper = 20%; research paper = 35%; research proposal, abstract, and presentation = 20%; contributions to class (participation, library workshop, quizzes, peer reviews, etc.) = 15%.

To qualify for a passing grade in the course, you must turn in all of the written work and deliver the presentation based on the abstract of your research paper. Grades on revised papers will be averaged with grades on the originals, but will be weighted more heavily if the revisions are extensive and effective. As the semester proceeds, if you have any concerns about the class, and especially if you are not clear about how to improve your work, please stop by my office or make an appointment to see me. Feel free to talk with me about the readings, your writing, your ideas, your plans for the future – whatever you want to talk about, if you think I might be helpful.

SOME GROUNDRULES
• All writing assignments must be typed, except for those completed in class.
• Please do not e-mail me papers or any other assignments unless I ask you to.
• Plagiarism is a serious violation of the Honor Code. See me if you have questions about what plagiarism is and is not. Please note that work completed for other courses, here or elsewhere, may not be submitted for credit in this course.
• In keeping with official College policy, you are expected to attend all class sessions. Since this course is essentially a workshop, it requires frequent and extensive class discussions and other collaborative efforts. Consistent attendance and active participation are vital for your own progress in the course and for its overall effectiveness.
• Late work will not be accepted unless an extension has been arranged. Normally, deadlines will be extended and absences excused only in cases where, due to serious illness, family emergency, or travel on official college business, the student has been excused by the Dean's Office. Unexcused absences will lower your final grade.
• Written questions or comments for class discussions, in-class writing assignments, quizzes, and other activities completed in class cannot be made up, except in the case of an excused absence. If you know in advance that you will have to miss class, arrange to get class notes and assignments from a classmate and plan to turn in assignments prior to the date on which they are due, not after.
• Athletes are responsible for letting instructors know, as soon as they are given their game schedules, if they will have to miss a class or two for 'away' games.

FORMAT FOR PAPERS
Type the title of your paper, your name, the course title, and the date on a separate cover page. You do not need to retype any of this information (even the title) on the first page of your essay. Don't underline, italicize, or put quotation marks around the title of your paper.

In the body of your essay, use 12-point font. Whatever typeface you choose has to be easily legible and should not draw attention to itself.

Use 1" spacing on all sides. You may double space between lines as long as you end up with approximately 250-300 words/page. Otherwise, use 1.5 spacing between lines. Don't insert additional space between paragraphs.

Paginate and staple your essay before submitting it. For your own protection, make back-up copies of your essays before submitting them.