Creating a Shortened Syllabus for an Introductory Literature Course Focused on One Theme

For this project, you will create a shortened “syllabus” for an introductory literature course focused on one theme. I put “syllabus” in quotation marks because this sort of proposal is typically more for faculty as they plan a course than for students, as the justification for text selections rarely show up in the documents students receive (though maybe they should appear more often).

You will need to explicitly state the theme your literature course is exploring. Next, you should share your goals for having students examine this theme in particular. Then you will propose at least 5 texts that address this theme in a variety of ways. For each text, you will need to provide the author, genre, a brief summary, and an interpretation of what that text is suggesting about your theme and how it does so.

Submit the completed draft to your course Google Drive folder (located in Blackboard).

Format

1. You can imitate the traditional format
2. You can get creative and make a very visual syllabus (the Lemonadeexample uses images; you can emulate this or do something very different. You are not expected to produce anything near this level of detail). Tools such as Canva can help you if you decide to make something with visual elements. 
3. You can use the Instagram model, but the write ups of each text would likely need to be included in a document that accompanies it. 
4. Any other format you desire, provided it clearly outlines a theme this course is exploring, texts you’ve selected to explore that theme, and the required information for each text. 

Required Content

• Basic course information. What course is this? What is the theme/focus? Why? (A List of Common Thematic Topics)
• Course goals.What will your students be able to do as a result of this course that they could not do, or do as well, before? What purpose does this course and its material serve? 
• Course materials and requirements.What texts, videos, songs, and other course materials will be examined? Why these? Provide the author, genre, a brief summary, and an interpretation of what that text is suggesting about your theme and how it does so. Each text must be fictional and narrative in nature.

• Course policies.Do you have policies regarding attendance or missed work? Are there particular classroom expectations that students need to be aware of? What about technology use?
• Grading and assessment. What will students be asked to do? How is the course grade determined, and what is the grading scale? Do you offer extra credit? 
• Course schedule/calendar.What will students be asked to do for particular class sessions? When will quizzes and/or examinations be given? What are the due dates for the papers, projects, or other assessments? Is there a final exam, and if so, when? 

Sample Format (You may take a different approach, so long as you have the required information)

Paragraph explaining the thematic topic, its relevance to contemporary culture. Why focus on this theme?  What do you hope students gain by examining this theme in detail over a period of time and through multiple texts? What will your students be able to do as a result of this course that they could not do, or do as well, before? What purpose does this course and its material serve? 

Proposed Text 1: Title by Author, Genre

Brief summary paragraph

Paragraph offering an interpretation of what that text is saying about your thematic topic. How does it convey this message (brief discussion of relevant characters, symbols, actions, etc)?

Brief summary paragraph

Paragraph offering an interpretation of what that text is saying about your thematic topic. How does it convey this message (brief discussion of relevant characters, symbols, actions, etc)?

Brief summary paragraph

Paragraph offering an interpretation of what that text is saying about your thematic topic. How does it convey this message (brief discussion of relevant characters, symbols, actions, etc)?

Brief summary paragraph

Paragraph offering an interpretation of what that text is saying about your thematic topic. How does it convey this message (brief discussion of relevant characters, symbols, actions, etc)?

Brief summary paragraph

Paragraph offering an interpretation of what that text is saying about your thematic topic. How does it convey this message (brief discussion of relevant characters, symbols, actions, etc)?