The Forms of Narrative website is currently offline. You may, however, be interested in viewing the syllabus:

What: ENGL 251, Forms of Narrative, a Fall 2009 Course at the University of Mary Washington
Where: Combs 349
When:
Section 1: 2:00 - 3:15 TR

Web: http://forms.zachwhalen.net

Instructor

Dr. Zach Whalen
E-mail: zwhalen [at] umw.edu
Office hours: 2:00 - 4:00, MWF (or by appointment)
Office: Combs 308
Phone: 540 654 2355
Web: www.zachwhalen.net

Objectives

Stories are all around us, helping us make sense of the world and communicate that understanding to others. As media change and new expressive forms exploit technological resources in novel ways, the underlying principle of narrative provides a useful framework for understanding how these forms work. In this course, we will use narratology (the formal study of narrative) to analyze forms such as comics, film, video games, and electronic literature. The successful student will become fluent in the unique vocabulary of narrative analysis and bring those tools to bear on new media texts.

Requirements

Books

• Montgomery, R. A. House of Danger. CHOOSECO LLC, 2007.
• ---. The Abominable Snowman. CHOOSECO LLC, 2007.
• Ryan, Marie-Laure. Avatars of Story. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press, 2006.

Other readings (of which there will be quite a few) will be available online.

Notes

This class is held in a computer lab because we will occasionally use the computers to access or analyze electronic works. The course itself, however, works best when all are engaged in the discussion. Sometimes, the presence of computers works against having a productive discussion -- even if you're not actually using the computer in front of you, the large monitor can be a distracting obstacle. I simply ask that you make an extra effort to participate in class discussions. If it helps to lay the monitor flat on the table, then you are welcome to do so.

Another Note

Note on content: Some of the readings or screenings for this course will feature mature content which may be offensive or disturbing to some audiences. This may include content that is graphically violent or sexual in nature. Texts may also include controversial depictions of race, class or gender. In all cases, students are expected to approach the material with an academically appropriate level of maturity, including a commitment to civility and mutual respect in classroom and blog discussions.

Assignments

Blogging. You will maintain a weekly(ish) blog where your entries will graded based on their clarity and contribution to the course objectives. Occasionally, I will suggest or even assign blog topics, but mainly, the choice of what to write is up to you – as long as it contributes to the seminar in some way. Blog entries should be at least 300 words long and should also contain links, keyword tags and (when appropriate) images.

Quizzes and Homework. Quizzes will be short (about 10 questions) and may be multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank. The emphasis here is ensuring that we're all on the same page (pun intended) with the reading. Quizzes, which will be frequent, may not be made up in the event of an absence. Homework will vary.

TV Assignment. Using an analysis method we will discuss in class, you will select (record) a 20 minute segment of TV and create a diagram of its "flow." This diagram will also be augmented by your own recorded (audio) commentary.

Midterm. A take-home essay exam in which you will select among several available topics. These responses will be short, and will focus on applying what we have learned thus far toward analyzing a given sample.

Choose your own Adventure Assigment. After selecting a CYOA text (either one of the required texts or another of your choosing), create a diagram, chart, or other visual representation of the narrative.

Final Project. This project will have two components: 1) a creative narrative project of your own devising, and 2) a 3 - 5 page paper analyzing your own work. Projects will begin with a proposal, which I must approve prior to your beginning work.

Grading

Distribution

Scale

Where it applies, the following letter-to-number equivalence will be
in effect:

Policies

Attendance

Because this class depends heavily on class discussion, you should be in class every day we meet, ready to contribute to the conversation. The work we do in class each day is a major part of how you demonstrate your learning in this course. Unless emergency arrangements have been made, missing more than five classes will thus result in a zero for participation, and any student who misses an excessive number of classes will automatically fail the course. There is no way to make up credit for quizzes. You must complete all major assignments to receive a passing grade for the term.

Use of Electronic Devices in Class

Students are allowed, even encouraged, to bring laptops or other electronic devices to class for the purpose of taking notes. However, activities such as surfing the web, reading e-mail, or text-messaging are not allowed. Also, turn off your cell phone ring, and -- unless there is an emergency -- please do not answer it if you forget and it rings . If you are browsing Facebook instead of participating in class, I will consider you absent for the day. Furthermore, if I determine that you are abusing this policy, I reserve the right to ban use of electronic devices either for you individually or for the class at large.

Academic Dishonesty

The UMW Honor System is in effect for our course. I may authorize specific exercises as collaborative work, but all other work must be your own, as per Article 1, Sections 1 and 2 of the University of Mary Washington Student Honor Code.

Late Work

Unless otherwise indicated, all assigned work is due at the beginning of class on the specified due date. Work that is submitted after this time will be considered late and will be subject to a significant grade penalty. Work that is later than four days after the due date will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Decorum

Students are expected to treat the instructor and fellow students with the appropriate degree of respect, both in class and in online discussions. Communication, either in person or through electronic media, that is deemed abusive, threatening, or harassing in nature will not be tolerated. Students who fail to abide by this policy will receive a participation grade of 0.

Unsatisfactory Mid-Semester Reports

Students with a grade average below 68% or with more than 3 unexcused absences will receive an unsatisfactory grade report at the mid-term.

Students with Disabilities

The Office of Disability Services has been designated by the University as the primary office to guide, counsel, and assist students with disabilities. If you already receive services through the Office of Disability Services and require accommodations for this class, get in touch with me as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs. Please bring your accommodation letter with you to the appointment. I will hold any information you share with me in the strictest confidence unless you give me permission to do otherwise. If you have not contacted the Office of Disability Services and need accommodations, (note taking assistance, extended time for tests, etc.), I will be happy to refer you. The office will require appropriate documentation of disability. Their phone number is 540-654-1266.

Schedule

The course schedule will be posted and maintained on the course website. It is in the nature of course schedules to be somewhat flexible, so you are responsible to check the posted schedule periodically and make sure you're aware of upcoming events, assignments, and due dates.

Generally, the readings and assignments will follow this content outline:

• textual narrative
• Film
• TV
• Comics
• Animation
• Electronic Literature
• Video Games
• Transmedia