EL4055: Research Paper Writing, Fall 2012
Professor Amie Parry
Fall 2012

Time: Wed 14:00-16:50
Place: A110
Office A218; phone: x33215
amie.parry@gmail.com

Course Description:

This course is designed for third year students who are able and willing to do a lot of weekly readings, both assigned and independent, and writing (weekly assignments), or who plan to do graduate study in literature, cultural studies, or related fields. The course has three objectives: 1) to familiarize students with the techniques of close reading and sharpen students』 interpretive skills in constructing their own sustained analysis of a literary text; 2) to guide students in the use of the MLA format for writing academic papers; 3) to teach students how to frame and then develop their reading as a response to the ongoing critical discussions of the primary text, a process that includes learning to search for, evaluate and incorporate secondary sources (literary criticism and theory on individual texts, writers, literary movements, and historical periods). Over the course of the semester each student will write a paper that involves independent research and that can be used as a model for writing samples and for later research writing projects. Our primary text this semester will be Bram Stoker』s Dracula.

Course Policy:

Students will be graded on the following: weekly writing assignments; the final research paper and preliminary drafts; and lively class participation. We will think about writing as a process, so detailed rewriting is required, and the process of rewriting is part of what students will be graded on. Rewriting (and rethinking) will partly be done in class workshops, so attendance is mandatory. Up to three absences are permitted; if you miss more than three class meetings you will be advised to withdraw. Grades will be calculated according to the following breakdown:

Weekly workshops (writing assignments, attendance and class participation)：40%
Final paper and drafts：60%

Schedule of classes: