Texts:

Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron, trans. G. H. McWilliam, 2^nd ed., revised (New York: Penguin, 2003) (D)

Marguerite de Navarre. The Heptameron, trans. P.A. Chilton (New York: Penguin, 1984)  (H)

Corbett & Finkle. The Little English Handbook, 8th edition (Boston: Addison-Wesley Longman, 1998) (C&F)

Dobbs. Dr. Syntax, http://web.grinnell.edu/individuals/dobbs/DrSyntax/

Syllabus

WEEK

ASSIGNMENT

For the readings from both story collections, read all of the stories told on the day assigned and jot down some notes on each of them. The story in parenthesis should be closely analyzed in preparation for class discussion. You’ll need developed notes on that story from which you can speak in class. In our early classes, I've also included a few suggestions and/or questions that you should prepare. Part way into the semester, you'll be able to come up with these questions yourself.

8/25

Introduction to the course and discussion of excerpt from Italo Calvino’s If on a winter’s night, a traveler

1

a)

Introduction to Dr. Syntax

C&F: 1-2; 18-19 (These are page numbers, not section numbers.)

Discussion of "Some Preliminary Thoughts About Stories” (in this packet)

H: Introduction, 7-13, 27-37. Please don't read the rest of the introduction, until you've read at least the stories for the first few days.

  "Prologue."  Look closely at what's established in the opening two paragraphs. What is the structure (similar to plot) in the "Prologue"? In what ways are the settings arranged in relation to one another?

b)

Dr. Syntax 1: Syntax

C&F: 19-54 (Grammatical Sentences)

Academic Honesty Discussion

Suggested prewriting: write a brief story (500-1500 words). It can be any kind of story and, although you may use your own experience, does not have to be true. Don't spend a lot of time with this writing; just get something down. Keep working with it during the semester. A revised version of this story could be the draft of the story you’ll turn in at the beginning of Week 9.

2

a)

H: "First Day" (#4, Ennasuite). What is this story's subject and theme? The statement of a theme should take what you assert as the subject and predicate something about it; in other words, the theme should be stated in a clause. After you’ve answered this first question, consider the subjects and themes of stories #3 and #5. How do the three stories compare on subjects and themes?  Finally, what is the structure of the action (plot) of #4? Could you come up with a few sentences that lay out this structure? Your analysis of plot should fit with what you’ve said about subject and theme.

Quiz on definitions in Dr. Syntax 1(10 minutes)

Dr. Syntax: Syntactic Analysis Exercise 1

Discussion of passage from “The Structures of Literature: A.J. Greimas” in Terence Hawkes’ Structuralism and Semiotics

b)

Dr. Syntax 2: Kinds of Sentences and Punctuation

C&F: 100-157 (Punctuation and Mechanics)

Syntactic Analysis: Exercise 2

Argument #1: In a paragraph of 200-250 words, argue for an analysis of a topic to be announced. Turn in the argument in a folder we’ll call your “writing folder” with your name and box number clearly written on the outside. Turn in all your arguments in this folder. Always note the number of words in your arguments on the front page.

 3

a)

H: "Second Day" (#13, Parlamente). First, describe the main characters individually and in relation to one another. Can you come up with a series of statements that set out those relations? Next, consider the ring. How does it function in the story? Finally and more generally, how would you describe the “mechanics” by which one story in The Heptameron follows another each day?

C&F: 158-192

Exercise on Citations and Paraphrase due. For this exercise, use the first two paragraphs of “3. The Stories” in Chilton’s introduction to The Heptameron rather than the excerpt given in the instructions for the exercise. The instructions ask for paragraphs; please write just a few sentences.

b)

Dr. Syntax 3: The Function of Word Order in English & Parallel Structure

C&F 72-75 (Parallel Construction)

Dr. Syntax 4: Transitions Within Sentences

Syntactic Analysis:  Exercise 3

Writing #1: In a paragraph of 200-250 words, write an argument about the function of tests in Hircan's story (#18). Bring two typed copies to class.

In-Class Analysis #1: Using a form I give you, do a careful analysis of a peer's Writing #1. I’ve included an example of the form in this packet.

4

a)

H: "Third Day" (#26, Saffredent). Analyze plot and character carefully. Is the story really about (subject and theme) what Saffredent claims it is?     

Dr. Syntax 5: The Topic Sentence

C&F: 4-13 (Clear, Effective Paragraphs: Unity and Completeness)

b)

Dr. Syntax 6: Transitions Between Sentences

Excerpt from Fahnestock, “Semantic and Lexical Coherence”

C&F: 13-17 (Clear, Effective Paragraphs: Coherence)

Argument #2: In an argument of 500-550 words, support an analysis of a topic to be announced.

5

a)

D: “Preface” and “Introduction.” Do a comparison to the opening of The Heptameron.

Deadline for choosing to turn in  Argument #3 and do the oral presentation based on that paper at 6b or 7b.

b)

D: “First Day” (#1, Panfilo; with each story we’ll discuss, think about the comments at the beginning of the next tale).

Assignment for Argument #3, first group

Dr. Syntax 7:  The Thesis Statement

6

a)

D: “Second Day” (#5, Fiammetta; also think about the opening paragragh of the second day and “Conclusion”)

Dr. Syntax 8: The Outline (Be sure to look back to Dr. Syntax 7.)

Dr. Syntax 9: The Order and Structure of an Argument

Instructions for oral presentations. Be sure to read the checklist on oral presentations in this packet.

b)

Argument #3 (half of the class): In an argument of 750-800 words, support a thesis about a topic related to a story I pick from the first day.

Outline due

Oral presentations

Assignment for Argument #3, second group

7

a)

D: “Fourth Day” (#5, Filomena; also read the “Conclusion” of the third day and think about the “Introduction” and “Conclusion” to the fourth day)

Review of Dr. Syntax and C&F. In preparation for this review, go back over the material from both. Come in with any questions you have; be prepared for a kind of oral quiz in which I’ll ask you to do a sight analysis, for instance, of syntax in selected sentences, of kinds of sentence, of semantic transitions within and between sentences, and of subject and lines of argument in selected thesis statements.

C&F: 55-99 (Stylistic Choices: Sentences and Words)

Discussion of research projects. See instructions in this packet.

b)

Argument #3 (the other half of the class): In an argument of 750-800 words, support a thesis about a topic related to a story I pick from the second day.

Outline due

Oral presentations

Fall Break

8

a)

Dr. Syntax and C&F exam (20 minutes)

D: “Tenth Day” (#5, Emilia; also read the “Conclusion” of the ninth day and think about the introductory paragraph and “Conclusion” of the tenth day and the “Author’s Epilogue”)

Deadline for turning in your first and second choices for research topic on an index card.

 a)

Writing #2:  In a paragraph of 200-250 words, write an argument on a topic to be announced.

In-Class Analysis #2 of a peer's Writing #2. See instructions at 3b.

Panels for research projects announced.

 9

Monday: first draft of your story (500 words minimum) is due in my office by noon. During your preregistration conference, we will take some time to discuss your story before you revise it for final submission on Friday of Week 13. Further on in this packet, you’ll find the evaluation form I use for stories. You might want to look carefully at it before turning in your final version of your story.

a)

Preregistration sign-up

Preregistration instructions

C&F 158-178 (Research Writing and Documentation)

8:45 AM: Library Research Session I (11/1, Catherine Rod, Associate Librarian of the College)

b)

Preregistration conferences

10

a)

Work on your research project and meet with your panel to subdivide your topic.

In class, turn in your topic and subtopic, as agreed with your panel.

9:00 AM: Library Research Session II (11/8, Catherine Rod)

b)

Preregistration conferences

11

a)

During class session, each panel will work out the details of its panel presentation, choose an order for presentation, and appoint a moderator.

You might want to look at the “Evaluation of Research Project and Presentation” which I’ve included in this packet. You may then go off and complete work on your part of the research project.

b)

Panel presentations of research project

Typed list of "Works Consulted" for your subtopic in the research project is due in class. Put your name, topic, and subtopic at the top of the list; follow the forms set out in Corbett and Finkle for “Works Cited” in “Format of the Research Paper.”

12

a)

Panel presentations of research

b)

Thanksgiving!

13

a)

H: We’ll pick a story we haven’t discussed from one of our assigned days.

b)

D: We’ll do the same with a story from the Decameron; also think about similarities and differences between the two story collections.

The final draft of your story is due in my office by Friday 12/2 at noon.

14

a)

Story-telling

b)

More story-telling, this time with scones and jam!.