to the schedule of readings and assignments
Required texts:
syllabus: The effective version of the syllabus is always at http://www.uta.edu/english/tim/courses/2384s14/2384mainf14o4.html. If you are looking at a print or .pdf version, please make sure to consult the online version for updates.
grading: There will be six in-class papers. Each of the in-class papers will ask you to summarize a book we read, and compare it critically to one other book from our syllabus. You must complete all six in-class papers to make an A for the course. Satisfactory completion includes attendance at the ensuing discussion meeting. If you complete just five, the highest grade you can make in the course is a B. If you complete just four, the highest grade you can make is a D. If you complete just three, you will fail the course. No make-up work is allowed. There will be two substantial writing projects: an essay about a real animal or animals, and a scholarly paper about artistic representations of animals. Assuming satisfactory completion of your in-class papers, your course grade will be a holistic assessment of your overall work, including participation in class discussion and writing workshops.
Drop Policy: Students may drop or swap (adding and dropping a class concurrently) classes through self-service in MyMav from the beginning of the registration period through the late registration period. After the late registration period, students must see their academic advisor to drop a class or withdraw. Undeclared students must see an advisor in the University Advising Center. Drops can continue through a point two-thirds of the way through the term or session. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw if they do not plan to attend after registering. Students will not be automatically dropped for non-attendance. Repayment of certain types of financial aid administered through the University may be required as the result of dropping classes or withdrawing. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
academic integrity: Students enrolled in this course are expected to adhere to the UT Arlington Honor Code:
I pledge, on my honor, to uphold UT Arlington's tradition of academic integrity, a tradition that values hard work and honest effort in the pursuit of academic excellence.UT Arlington faculty members may employ the Honor Code as they see fit in their courses, including (but not limited to) having students acknowledge the honor code as part of an examination or requiring students to incorporate the honor code into any work submitted. Per UT System Regents' Rule 50101, 2.2, suspected violations of university's standards for academic integrity (including the Honor Code) will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. Violators will be disciplined in accordance with University policy, which may result in the student's suspension or expulsion from the University.
I promise that I will submit only work that I personally create or contribute to group collaborations, and I will appropriately reference any work from other sources. I will follow the highest standards of integrity and uphold the spirit of the Honor Code.
disability policy: The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 93112—The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act – (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens. As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodation" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty at the beginning of the semester and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels.
Electronic Communication: UT Arlington has adopted MavMail as its official means to communicate with students about important deadlines and events, as well as to transact university-related business regarding financial aid, tuition, grades, graduation, etc. All students are assigned a MavMail account and are responsible for checking the inbox regularly. There is no additional charge to students for using this account, which remains active even after graduation. Information about activating and using MavMail is available at http://www.uta.edu/oit/cs/email/mavmail.php.
Student Feedback Survey: At the end of each term, students enrolled in classes categorized as "lecture," "seminar," or "laboratory" shall be directed to complete an online Student Feedback Survey (SFS). Instructions on how to access the SFS for this course will be sent directly to each student through MavMail approximately 10 days before the end of the term. Each student's feedback enters the SFS database anonymously and is aggregated with that of other students enrolled in the course. UT Arlington's effort to solicit, gather, tabulate, and publish student feedback is required by state law; students are strongly urged to participate. For more information, visit http://www.uta.edu/sfs.
Emergency Exit Procedures: Should we experience an emergency event that requires us to vacate the building, students should exit the room and move toward the nearest exits. When exiting the building during an emergency, one should never take an elevator but should use the stairwells. Faculty members and instructional staff will assist students in selecting the safest route for evacuation and will make arrangements to assist handicapped individuals.
schedule of assignments and material
Thurs 21 Aug: introductions
Tues 26 Aug: initial writing exercises
Thurs 28 Aug: initial writing exercises
Tues 2 Sept: in-class paper #1 (Ackerley, My Dog Tulip)
Thurs 4 Sept: discussion: My Dog Tulip
Tues 9 Sept: writing exercises
Thurs 11 Sept: writing exercises
Tues 16 Sept: in-class paper #2 (Greenberg, Feathered River)
Thurs 18 Sept: discussion: A Feathered River across the Sky
Tues 23 Sept: in-class paper #3 (Braithwaite, Do Fish Feel Pain?)
Thurs 25 Sept: discussion: Do Fish Feel Pain?
Tues 30 Sept: in-class paper #4 (Uexküll, Foray: pp. 41-135)
Thurs 2 Oct: discussion: A Foray into the Worlds of Animals and Humans
Tues 7 Oct: writing exercises
Thurs 9 Oct: writing exercises
Tues 14 Oct: initial drafts of first project; workshops
Thurs 16 Oct: workshops
Tues 21 Oct: writing exercises
Thurs 23 Oct: final drafts of first writing project due
Tues 28 Oct: in-class paper #5 (Stott, Oyster)
Thurs 30 Oct: discussion: Oyster
Tues 4 Nov: NO CLASS
Thurs 6 Nov: LIBRARY MEETING, 315A Central Library
Tues 11 Nov: in-class paper #6 (Carnell, Hare)
Thurs 13 Nov: discussion: Hare
Tues 18 Nov: writing exercises
Thurs 20 Nov: writing exercises
Tues 25 Nov: initial drafts of second project; workshops
Thurs 27 Nov: NO CLASS
Tues 2 Dec: workshops
Tues 9 Dec: final drafts of second writing project due. NO FINAL EXAM