Modern European Novel (Fall 2012)

• Andre Breton, Nadja (Grove, 978-0802150264)
• F. Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment (Norton Critical Ed., 1989, trans. Coulson, ISBN: 0393956237)
  
• Hermann Hesse, Steppenwolf: a Novel (Picador, 978-0312278670)
• Franz Kafka, The Trial (Schocken, 1999 edition: ISBN: 0805209999)
• Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being (Perennial, 978-0061148521)

#2: Participation (10%): Incl. regular attendance, contribution to class discussion, fulfilling reading assignments, discussion questions, peer review, in-class and online writing assignments that occur in a timely manner.

• Attendance policy: Students must attend a majority of class sessions in order to pass the class; long-term and repeated absences are unacceptable. Your first 3 absences are automatically excused and need no explanation please. Beyond that, you will need a note from your physician or the Dean of Students in order to excuse an absence for medical reasons or family death. Attendance is a part of your Participation Grade, which is also determined by your active and enthusiastic participation in class discussions; timely completion of reading assignments; original and thought-provoking discussion questions; and informal writing assignments. Please make a friend in class to cover material missed while absent.

• For our online class meetings, you must complete all assigned online activities in order for your attendance to count. Classes will be graded (check/check+/check-), an evaluation that factors into the final Participation Grade; 3 check-minus evaluations constitute 1 absence. In order to keep students moving forward, they may not make up a missed online class by doing online tasks at a later date; these tasks have a time limit.

• Discussion questions (called DQ below) must be ORIGINAL and include either ones you would pose as an instructor of the class, things you are confused about in the reading, or a mix between the two. The purpose of discussion questions is to open a dialogue between you and me; to make this a student-centered classroom; and to help students become better writers by becoming critical thinkers, or people who question what they read. Discussion questions are not mandatory, but are taken into consideration for your Participation Grade; I'll give an evaluation (check/check plus) to encourage your thinking, but in general, they can only help your Participation Grade. Please feel free to respond to other students' queries if you feel inspired to answer; I will take such responses as extra credit for your Participation Grade (and enjoy reading them, of course). You may print out and re-present your Discussion Questions in an optional Participation Packet at the end of the semester if you'd like to remind me of your hard work.

• Turn off and put away cell phones, blackberries, and related electronics. Absolutely NO TEXTING or talking on handheld devices ANYTIME in class, including breaks and before class. Laptops should be used to write lecture notes only (not IM'ing, Facebooking, etc.). If these policies cannot be followed, please turn off the device or leave.
  
• Papers should be no longer or shorter than the length assigned and should be submitted on time as stapled hard copies (no cover pages, loose pages, or folders please).  2 points are deducted from formal writing projects for every class day they are late. With the exception of journals and discussion questions, double space and use twelve-point type, in Times New Roman or CG Times (or 10 pt. in Veranda, etc.).
• Accommodations are always arranged for students with documented disabilities. Please call, email, or see the instructor personally, as well as Services for Students with Disabilities (Linda A. Smith in Morehead Hall 305, X5431).
• Please note that I do not discuss grades via email. In office hours, however, I can offer time and attention to your concerns.