English 960: Fin-de-Siecle Tech

Professor Kathryn Conrad
Fall 2013  *  Tuesdays, 7-9:30 pm  *  3001A Wescoe Hall
Office hours:  M-Th, 2-4 pm

Course Description and Texts

This course will focus on British and Irish literature of the late 19th century and early 20th centuries, a time of great technological innovation in a number of different arenas including media, transport, and weaponry. We will be focused in particular on the ways in which technologies such as telegraphy, electricity, printing, travel, and photography are figured in the literature and culture of the British Isles at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century through the first World War. Students who plan to specialize in American or other national literatures are encouraged to consider research projects that extend beyond the British Isles. Students will be expected to write a short annotated bibliography, a one- to two-page research proposal, and a final seminar paper of approximately article length. Students will also be expected to participate in classroom discussion and to give an oral presentation of research in progress in the final two weeks of class. Click this link for book list, which is available for purchase at the bookstore or online.

Grades (consist of two major components)

15%: Attendance, participation in discussion (online and in class);
85%: Annotated bibliography; prospectus; oral presentation; research paper (60%). Please see plagiarism policy below. Full description of project(s) will be available on Blackboard.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is stealing and passing off someone else's ideas or words as one's own or using information from another's work without crediting the source. Any detected cheating offense--including but not limited to plagiarism; the unauthorized use of crib sheets, texts, or other materials during an examination or quiz; the copying of another student's work (even with the permission or aid of that student, who is thereby culpable); the use of prewritten essays (the student's own or someone else's); the uncredited adoption of another writer's interpretation of a work; the copying of all or part of websites; or the unauthorized use of work written for another assignment or class--will be reported to the University. A record of each verified offense will be kept throughout the student's association with the University (Adopted from FSE statement).

Plagiarism is not a game, nor is it simply a "shortcut" when time presses. It is a very serious form of academic misconduct and will be treated as such in this class. When you consult outside sources for ideas--through published or unpublished essays, interviews, the Internet, conversation, etc.--you must cite those sources clearly in your work. I understand that academic work can be daunting: if you are struggling with an assignment, are unclear about my expectations, or are behind on your work, please consult me. There is always a better path than plagiarism; I can work with you to help you find your own voice while incorporating others' ideas appropriately. If after reading the statement above, you are still unclear about what constitutes plagiarism, ask me BEFORE turning in an assignment.

A plagiarized assignment will result in failure of the assignment (no credit given); it also impacts your larger course grade more than a paper that merely receives an F, and will usually result in failure of the course. The Department of English has a zero-tolerance policy on plagiarism. Formal records are currently kept by the Department of English and the Graduate School.