English 2025 Homepage

No regular class meeting today; use this time to turn in any remaining work or to prepare for the exam. All reading responses and extra credit assignments are due by midnight tonight. Email submissions are acceptable, as long as you send them as .doc or .rtf attachments. If you're turning in hard copies, slide them under my office door (Allen 43).

Thursday, November 29

Final exam date to be determined: The course schedule originally said it was on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 5:30; that date and time is incorrect (my mistake). I'm working to coordinate our schedules to see if there's another time that everyone is available, and I'll post the new date and time as soon as I've heard from everyone. If there's not an available hole in the exam schedule, we'll have to stick with our class's official time, which is Saturday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m.

Final Extra Credit Opportunity: Several of you have expressed concern over your grade, so here's one last opportunity to earn some extra points. In our discussion about Never Let Me Go, we mentioned the movie The Island as another cultural text that addressed similar issues. For up to 10 extra points towards your quiz average, write an informal essay of about a single-spaced page in which you compare and contrast one text we've read this semester with an outside text (film, television show, music video, book, song, etc.) that addresses one of the issues we've discussed in class. You can write about The Island and Ishiguro's novel if you wish, or you can choose something different; it's up to you. Your job in the essay is to make an argument about how the two texts fit together: show me how they are similar and how they are different in terms of how they present the issue you're discussing. Make sure to use specific examples and to rely on analysis and not plot summary. This essay is due NO LATER than Thursday, December 6. You may bring a hard copy to class, or you can email your essay as an emailed attachment (please save it either with a .doc or .rtf extension.) Either way, I must have it in hand (or inbox) by midnight on Thursday for it to count.

Tuesday, November 13
As we discussed in class today, I've made some changes to the reading schedule (Happy Holidays!). Make sure you look at it carefully and note the two stories we'll read for Thursday. Also, if you need to write an extra response, I've posted the bonus response prompt on the blog, but you don't need to post -- just bring a hard copy by the last regular class meeting, Thursday, December 6.

Thursday, November 1

Extra credit opportunity: On Wednesday, November 7, the Shaw Center will screen the film Low and Behold, directed and co-written by by LSU instructor Zack Godshall. To earn a replacement quiz grade, go see the film (it's $1 with a student ID), and write a response, particularly to the way the film blends fiction and non-fiction to tell a story about post-Katrina New Orleans. There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening. Responses are due in class on Tuesday, November 13.

Tuesday, October 9

Homework assignment: Before you return to class on Tuesday, October 16, your assignment is to email me a list of 3 possible terms or quotes for identification on your midterm exam and at least one possible idea/theme for an essay question. The only stipulation is that you choose terms from 3 different works. Look back over your notes from class and the things we've read: this is your chance to construct a midterm exam you'd be comfortable taking, so choose carefully! Your email is due by the time class starts on Tuesday. Have a safe and relaxing Fall Break!

Tuesday, September 25

Extra credit opportunity: On October 2 at 6 pm in Hill Memorial Library, Sharon Weltman, a professor in the English Department, will be leading a discussion on the graphic novel, Maus, that we will be reading in the second half of the semester. If you would like to earn a replacement quiz grade, go to the discussion and write a brief response to what she has to say. Tell me in about a page: what she talked about and what you thought about it. The written response is due Thursday, October 4.

Thursday, September 6

A couple of announcements: first, I have moved around the readings next week, so that you'll have more time to get the novel, Gilead. On Tuesday, you'll read a couple of selections from your packet, and we'll start the novel on Thursday. Second, we signed up for group presentation slots today in class. If you weren't there, you need to email me and let me know which slot you'd like ASAP. The schedule for assignments can be found here; the assignment sheet can be found on your left. If you decide you want to switch topics or days and there's still an open spot, that's fine too --- just let me know. I'll update the schedule as everyone else signs up.

Tuesday, September 4

This week starts your first opportunity for reading responses; I'll post the first prompt for the readings for Thursday. The assignment sheet for these responses is posted on your left; please read the specifications carefully before you begin completing these assignments.

Tuesday, August 28

Welcome to the home page for English 2025! Here, you'll find most everything you need for the course, so take some time to look around. Links to our class information are listed on the left; I'll add to them as the course continues. I will post announcements and due dates here in this column, so you should get used to checking this page frequently. Reading assignments can be found on the course schedule, linked on the left. Please note that the readings are listed on the day they're due (have them read before you come to class that day, in other words.)

For Thursday, please complete the writing assignment listed on the schedule, and print and bring the course syllabus with you to class.

updated fall 2007