Requirements
Attendance is required for all of our classes and more than 2 absences from regularly scheduled classes will result in a lowered grade (one full level). In the event of an illness or unexpected reason for missing class, an official excuse must be obtained to avoid the grade penalty. Attendance includes our visit to the Museum of Sexuality.
Class participation is crucial to the lecture/discussion format of this course and includes Website participation as well as class discussion. Your class participation will be judged on the basis of the quality of the ideas expressed, their relationship to the reading, and the force of your arguments, your respect for other class members’ and my points of view (as shown in the way you respond to others’ ideas), and your attentiveness to the discussion.
Website Responses are to be posted by midnight on the Sunday before each class. They should be the equivalent of 1½ to 2-pages of typed, double-spaced discussion (500 words) and are required for every class’s reading assignments. These analyses should link the assigned readings (documents with the fiction) for the day. During class, I may ask you to present yours to us, so prepare in advance to do so.
First Essay: 8-10 pages with MLA citation, presenting a Foucauldian analysis of some aspect of The Scarlet Letter and incorporating related essays and documents from the Peiss volume. Due March 12.
Second Essay: 10-12 pages with MLA citation, presenting a Foucauldian analysis of 2 of the fictional works since spring break and incorporating at least 2 essays and 4 documents from the Peiss volume. Be sure to make a specific thesis argument. Due May 14.
Final Projects allow you to bring your creativity and knowledge to the issues of the course. Suggestions include a video interview, a proposed exhibit for the Museum of Sexuality, a mixed-media performance, or a visual arts archive depicting a theme we have covered in the course. Your Final Project is due for our scheduled Final Exam period on May 21st. During that period, each student will present his or her Project to the class and provide me with a 2-page description and explanation of it. Both the project and the Description are to be posted on the website.
