By the end of this course you should be able to
-demonstrate knowledge of ideas growing out of the field of semiotics;
-recognize the impact of cultural, economic, political, and social environments upon the development of the codes we use;
-show knowledge of works by female authors;
-demonstrate how reading writing speaking, listening, viewing, and thinking are interrelated;
-show knowledge of works of literary theory and criticism;
-use a wide range of writing strategies to generate meaning and to clarify understanding.
(Course objectives adapted from NCTE guidelines)

Required Texts (Available at Shakespeare & Co. on Hillel Place):

Chandler, Daniel. Semiotics; The Basics; 2nd edition. Routledge, 2007.
Perron, Paul, and Marcel Danesi. Classic Readings in Semiotics; for Introductory Classes. Legas, 2003.

COURSE OUTLINE

Section 1: WEEKS 1-5: Introducing Semiotics; Early Ideas & 2 Models of the Sign

Readings - Chandler, Introduction, and Chapters 1 & 2
-St. Augustine, "The Sign," (in Classic Readings)
-Charles S. Peirce, "A Theory of the Sign," (in Classic Readings)
- Ferdinand de Saussure "The Linguistic Sign," (in Classic Readings)

Section 2: WEEKS 6-8: Structural Analysis and Tropes

Readings - Chandler, Chapters 3 & 4
- Claude Levi-Strauss, "Structural Analysis" (in Classic Readings)
Second Exam: date to be announced

Section 3: WEEKS 9-11: Codes

Readings - Chandler, Chapter 5
-Susanne K. Langer, "Forms," (in Classic Readings)
-Roland Barthes, "Language vs. Speech" (in Classic Readings)
Term Paper Due: date to be announced

Section 4: WEEKS 12-14: Intertextuality and Models of Communication

Readings - Chandler, Chapters 6 & 7.
- Roman Jakobson, "Linguistics and Poetics" (in Classic Readings)

Participation:
Students must attend regularly, arrive on time and must be prepared to participate, having done the assigned work. Participation will count for 10% of the overall grade for the course.

Assignments:

Papers:
Students will write one term paper of 5-7 pages, with four books and/or journal articles in the bibliography

Exams:
At the end of each of the first two sections of the course there will be an in-class test. There will be a final on (date to be announced)

Grading:

Grades will be based on the following percentages:
Class Attendance and Participation--10%
Homework Assignments--10%
In-class Tests--40%
Term Paper-- 20 %
Final Exam-20%

Evaluation criteria for class participation:

Your class participation will be judged on the basis of your questions, your respect for other class members' and my points of view (as shown in the way you respond to others' ideas), and your attentiveness to the discussion (people who don't like to speak frequently will not be penalized, but you should make an effort to participate). I also expect that your participation will reflect your having done the reading for each class.

Evaluation criteria for written work:
From a list by Lewis Hyde, edited by Sue Lonoff, with thanks to Richard Marius's writing handbook.
The Unsatisfactory Paper.
The D or F paper either has no thesis or else it has one that is strikingly vague, broad, or uninteresting. There is little indication that the writer understands the material being presented. The paragraphs do not hold together; ideas do not develop from sentence to sentence. This paper usually repeats the same thoughts again and again, perhaps in slightly different language but often in the same words. The D or F paper is filled with mechanical faults, errors in grammar, and errors in spelling.
The C Paper.
The C paper has a thesis, but it is vague and broad, or else it is uninteresting or obvious. It does not advance an argument that anyone might care to debate. "Henry James wrote some interesting novels." "Modern cities are interesting places."
The thesis in the C paper often hangs on some personal opinion. If the writer is a recognized authority, such an expression of personal taste may be noteworthy, but writers gain authority not merely by expressing their tastes but by justifying them. Personal opinion is often the engine that drives an argument, but opinion by itself is never sufficient. It must be defended.
The C paper rarely uses evidence well; sometimes it does not use evidence at all. Even if it has a clear and interesting thesis, a paper with insufficient supporting evidence is a C paper.
The C paper often has mechanical faults, errors in grammar and spelling, but please note: a paper without such flaws may still be a C paper.
The B Paper.
The reader of a B paper knows exactly what the author wants to say. It is well organized, it presents a worthwhile and interesting idea, and the idea is supported by sound evidence presented in a neat and orderly way. Some of the sentences may not be elegant, but they are clear, and in them thought follows naturally on thought. The paragraphs may be unwieldy now and then, but they are organized around one main idea. The reader does not have to read a paragraph two or three times to get the thought that the writer is trying to convey.
The B paper is always mechanically correct. The spelling is good, and the punctuation is accurate. Above all, the paper makes sense throughout. It has a thesis that is limited and worth arguing. It does not contain unexpected digressions, and it ends by keeping the promise to argue and inform that the writer makes in the beginning.
The A Paper.
The A paper has all the good qualities of the B paper, but in addition it is lively, well paced, interesting, even exciting. The paper has style. Everything in it seems to fit the thesis exactly. It may have a proofreading error or two, or even a misspelled word, but the reader feels that these errors are the consequence of the normal accidents all good writers encounter. Reading the paper, we can feel a mind at work. We are convinced that the writer cares for his or her ideas, and about the language that carries them.
Copyright © 2002, 2003 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Permission is granted to non-profit educational institutions to reproduce this document for internal use provided that the Bok Center's authorship and copyright are acknowledged.

Statement on the University's policy on Academic Integrity

The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for implementing that policy can be found at this site: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies. If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report the violation.

Statement in Reference to the Center for Student Disability Services

In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services. Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services, Ms. Valerie Stewart-Lovell at 718-951-5538. If you have already registered with the Center for Student Disability Services please provide your professor with the course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with him/her.

The state law regarding non-attendance because of religious beliefs

You should check this on page 53 in the Bulletin

Information Regarding College Deadlines (from fall 2010 schedule of classes; to be included shortly)

1. ?- Last day to add a course;
2. ?- Last day to file Pass/Fail application;
3. ?- Last day to drop a course without a grade;
4. ?- Last day to file for Fall 2009 Graduation;
5. ?- Last day to apply for withdrawal from a course with a W (non-penalty) grade;
6. ?- Last day to resolve Spring/Summer 2009 Incomplete grades
7. ?- Last day to resolve Spring/Summer 2009 ABS grades

Other Important Information Regarding College Regulations

* Please note that for students whose programs required an adviser's approval prior to registration and for students who wish to withdraw from basic skills courses (e.g., English 1), prior approval of CAASS (Academic Advisement) is required.

* Please note that resolution of Spring/Summer 2010 Incomplete and Absent grades will only be accepted if the missing work was made up prior to the deadline. Exceptions to this policy will require the approval of the Committee on Course and Standing and must be supported by clear documentation of the reasons for the request.

* Please note that Late-Adds and Reinstatements will not be accepted after the Late-Add period under any circumstances (except for acknowledged College error).

* All students should read carefully and thoroughly the 2007-2010 Brooklyn College Bulletin, especially pp. 35-51, pp. 52-59, and pp. 74-83, for a complete listing of academic regulations of the College.