syllabus

ENGL 252

The Novel and the Anthropocene

Instructor: Jeff Allred

Class Meetings: Mon/Th 10-11.15 in HN 1516

Office Hours: Mon 11:30-1:30 (in HW 1205) and by appointment.

Contact me: [email protected]

Catalog Number: 2024

CUNY Commons Blog:

https://engl252fa25.commons.gc.cuny.edu

CUNY Commons Group:

https://commons.gc.cuny.edu/groups/engl-252-fa25/

hypothes.is Groups:

https://hypothes.is/groups/QPE9GPMP/allred252fa25

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the course will:

  • Extend close reading skills developed in ENGL 220 via frequent practice with analytic writing.
  • Develop new skills in decoding secondary literature from various methodological and theoretical traditions.
  • Gain sophisticated sense of how to locate and apply appropriate sources for literary critical research.
  • Integrate literary arguments into existing critical conversations in writing.
  • Gain basic familiarity with the genre of "climate fiction" within the field of "environmental literature" and the broader context of the "anthropocene" as articulated in environmental studies

Course Description:

This course, “The Novel and the Anthropocene,” introduces students to central concepts and methods of literary study. It links the close reading skills one masters in ENGL 220 to more sophisticated modes of critical thinking and writing one finds in the best recent scholarship. We will learn to read critical articles alongside “primary texts” (here, novels), unpacking their assumptions and methodologies, questioning their arguments, and applying their insights to our own reading and writing. To develop these skills, we will explore a few recent novels that grapple with climate change and other aspects of the “anthropocene,” the ongoing geological era defined by human-borne ecological change. Authors include: Jenny Offill, Amitav Ghosh, and Margaret Atwood. Course requirements: enthusiastic participation, several brief informal writing assignments, a take-home midterm, and a final research project.

Grading:

This course experiments with a "contract grading" model. In brief, students will sign contracts for A/B/C grades and complete a quantity of work that corresponds to that grade. A detailed rationale and list of requirements is here. You'll choose the grade you're contracting for and submit a contract by Thursday, September 11th.

I'll refer you to the contract document for the specifics, but all students are expected to participate actively, complete a midterm and a final project, write and publish regular posts for our course blog, and complete a self-evaluation at the end of the term. Expectations for each of these components will be shared separately.

Technology:

We will use open-access resources via the CUNY Academic Commons rather than Brightspace this term. You will use:

  • a course blog (using WordPress) for sharing informal writing with classmates and engaging in intellectual exchange about course materials with me and with each other.
  • a course "group" that is basically a listserv and document archive for .pdfs and other materials you'll need.

There's a bit of work to get up and going on the Commons, and we'll cover those steps together in class. Most students find it a fun and engaging space for reading/writing, with more curb appeal and flexibility than Bb!

Help with Writing, Research, and Life

In addition to course assignments and instruction, the Reading/Writing Center can help you to improve your literacy skills and develop your writing style.

For research help, Hunter College Libraries provide online databases and other remote resources. Hunter librarians can help you leverage these resources for your projects. Here are some ways:

For more ways to get help, especially with mental health issues or other urgent issues, consult these resources.

Attendance/Participation:

Faculty are required to certify student attendance. You are urged to keep abreast of any attendance requirements that may be set by Hunter, government agencies or others with regards to qualification for financial aid, fulltime status, etc.

Except as stipulated by Hunter policy, your course grades may be based on assignments (which may include presentations and participation in group activities) and in-class activities, but not on attendance per se. I do expect regular, vigorous participation in our discussions and other activities. Having said, that, I recognize that there may be factors beyond your control that inhibit the quality and quantity of your participation (e.g., childcare issues, sickness, etc.). Please reach out if you have issues and plan ahead when possible.

Please do your best to contact me if you cannot take part in the course due to illness or an emergency. Let me know if you will be unable to access the course site or the internet for a week or more. Depending on the circumstances it may be possible to schedule alternatives to activities that you miss. Remember that to be excused, medical documentation must indicate that you were incapable of working on the assignment while confined.

Statement on Academic Integrity and AI Policy

“Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.”

As part of the above, note that use of AI technologies like Chat GPT, Claude, Gemini, et al. is prohibited in this course. While these technologies have their role in modern writing workflows, this is a crucial introductory course, in which it is vital to learn the fundamental concepts of our field without using outside aids before moving to more advanced material. Part of that learning process involves struggling on your own with difficult material without any help from GenAI. In addition, work produced by GenAI reuses information and language from external sources without citation and thus the submission of any work created in whole or in part by GenAI tools cannot be considered to be original in our course setting.

I therefore ask that you do not make use of any GenAI to help complete any work in this course. The use of GenAI in this course will be considered an academic integrity violation and would be referred to the university academic integrity process. Violations could potentially result in grade penalties, such as a zero on the assignment, and/or other university-level sanctions. I encourage you to contact me with questions about possible exceptions, and even to argue against the policy: this is a rapidly changing area of academic practice and of culture more broadly, and we're all feeling our way through it. Note: this policy is adapted from the excellent materials offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning at Washington University.

ADA Policy

“In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the rev.2020 3 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical, and/or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information and assistance, please call: (212) 772- 4857 or (212) 650-3230.”

Policy on Sexual Misconduct

“In compliance with the CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Hunter College reaffirms the prohibition of any sexual misconduct, which includes sexual violence, sexual harassment, and gender-based harassment retaliation against students, employees, or visitors, as well as certain intimate relationships. Students who have experienced any form of sexual violence on or off campus (including CUNY-sponsored trips and events) are entitled to the rights outlined in the Bill of Rights for Hunter College."

  • Sexual Violence: Students are strongly encouraged to immediately report the incident by calling 911, contacting NYPD Special Victims Division Hotline (646-610-7272) or their local police precinct, or contacting the College's Public Safety Office (212-772-4444).
  • All Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct: Students are also encouraged to contact the College's Title IX Campus Coordinator, Dean John Rose ([email protected] or 212-650-3262) or Colleen Barry ([email protected] or 212-772-4534) and seek complimentary services through the Counseling and Wellness Services Office, Hunter East 1123.
  • Full statement of CUNY policy here

Emergency Support and Resources

Hunter College is dedicated to the health, wellness and safety of our student body. The following resources are open and available to all currently enrolled students; if they are relevant to your situation, we urge you to make use of them: https://ww2.hunter.cuny.edu/students/student-life/emergency-support-and-resources/food-pantry-the-purple-apron/

Books:

[available via Akademos and, really, anywhere]; all other texts are available via our site + group]. Be sure to check the link above and/or the ISBNs below, even if you’re going to shop elsewhere, to get the correct editions!

Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake [isbn: 9780385721677]

Amitav Ghosh, The Hungry Tide [isbn: 9780618711666]

Jenny Offill, Weather [isbn: 9780345806901]