Week 1

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English 1B Weekly Activities

Week 1: Orientation to the course

All activities due by Sunday, Jan. 22

Taking Roll: Send me an email to sierraguerin@pacbell.net. The subject should state your full name and Attending English 1B. The message should state Please do not drop me from Spring 2006 English 1B 18636. I will also check to see you have posted an introduction: see Introductions assignment below.

Review Class FAQ (Includes basic Blackboard log on instructions)

Review Course Syllabus: Review course syllabus (link at left). Please review this document carefully. I expect you to know the information in the syllabus. We can avoid a great deal of wasted time and mutual frustration if you learn the course policies--I do not want to discourage questions by any means, but it's very frustrating to have to waste time answering via email questions that are already answered in the syllabus.

Syllabus Quiz. Take the course syllabus quiz on Blackboard. You'll find it in the Course Documents area of Blackboard. Make sure you have taken this quiz by Sunday, Jan 22 (late adds will be given a bit more time).

Review and become familiar with the course web pages.

Attendance!
Complete Introductions Assignment; see note below:
ATTENDANCE ! The introductions assignment MUST be completed ASAP. As a courtesy to students who add late, for this discussion assignment only, you will use a board I have created. All other discussion assignments will be on Blackboard. Use the link above to get to the board.

Write an introduction of 2-3 paragraphs (no more) telling me and your classmates about your relationship with reading.

Questions you might consider: How is reading important in your life? What kinds of reading do you do on a regular basis? Did you have a favorite book/story as a child? Do you have a favorite book or story now? What impact do you think the study of literature can have on your life?

Reading this week:

Okay! Let's get this party started!

Meyer: Introduction 1 - 7
Note especially the references to shifts in the literary canon. Several selections we read this semester reflect these shifts.

Reading Ahead:
The best way to be successful in the class is to stay on top of the reading. Discussion, quizzes and writing assignments are based on the readings. Week Three is heavy reading, so get ahead. You'll also find the readings listed on the Weekly Activities page for each week, but for your convenience, here is the preview:

The following readings are assigned next week (Week Two):

Meyer: Ch 1 pg. 9 - 45

And for Week Three:
Some essential info on elements of fiction, two American classics, a story from french writer, Colette, and a contemporary tale from Chinese American writer, May-Lee Chai.

Chapter Three: "Plot" 63 - 72 and 80 - 87 "A Rose for Emily."
Chapter Four: "Character" 104-123 (includes "Saving Sourdi")
Chapter Five: "Setting" 151-159 (includes Hemingway's "Soldier's Home")
Chapter Seven: "Symbolism" 211 - 214 and 223 - 225, "The Hand"
Chapter Eight: "Theme" 239-243