Tutorials

Expanded Course Description:

Satire is social commentary that ridicules and discredits individuals, trends, institutions and societies that writers think demand criticism or condemnation. This course draws from prose, drama, verse, film and television, historical and contemporary examples set in their cultural contexts. Some critical texts by writers concerned with the political and literary functions of satire will also be included in the course readings.

The course involves formal lectures on Tuesdays, for which it is expected students have completed the required readings.  These lectures will often be accompanied by a multi-media portion during the last 15 minutes, intended to illustrate either a similar form or theme as the reading for the week.  During tutorials, it is expected that students will engage more specifically in discussions of course readings, and be involved in more detailed analyses of course texts.

Course Learning Objectives:

The purpose of this course is three-fold.  First, students will learn how satire has developed historically by examining texts from ancient Greece and Rome to the present day.  Second, students will learn how satire works formally by engaging with theoretical texts and also by comparing different satirical strategies employed among and across course readings.  Ideally, students will come to recognize the crucial relationship between form and content.  Third, students will develop and refine critical thinking skills, analytical skills, and become more proficient in essay writing.

All books are available at the York University Bookstore.

• George Orwell, Animal Farm (Penguin)
• Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
• Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest (Dover)
• Joe Orton, The Complete Plays
• Kurt Vonnegut, Mother Night (Dell)
• Evelyn Waugh, The Loved One (Penguin)
• Salman Rushdie , East, West (Vintage)
• Peter Carey, The Fat Man in History (Vintage)
• Angela Carter: The Bloody Chamber (Vintage)
• Tom Stoppard: Travesties (Faber)

Course kit with first and second term readings, also available at the York University Bookstore. Additional readings available on the Lecture Schedule (see links).

Requirements

Please note: the final date to drop the course without receiving a grade will be announced by York Senate shortly.

Tutorial assignments may be set by individual tutorial leaders

The Fine Print: Grading, Assignment Submission, Lateness Penalties

The grading scheme for the course conforms to the 9-point grading system used in undergraduate programs at York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ - 7, C+ = 5, etc.). Assignments and tests will bear either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade (e.g. A+ = 90 to 100, A = 80 to 90, B+ = 75 to 79, etc.)

(For a full description of York grading system see the York University Undergraduate Calendar - http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/pdfs/ug2004cal/calug04_5_acadinfo.pdf

Attendance: Regular attendance at lectures (no matter how boring) and tutorials (no matter how infuriating) is necessary. It is difficult to get good marks for tutorial participation if you are not physically present.

Reading: You must do the readings on a weekly basis; please have them read for the lecture. Failure to read will result in an impoverished educational experience (and low marks): there is not much point in taking the course if you cannot find time to read.

Assignment Submission: Proper academic performance depends on students doing their work not only well, but on time. Accordingly, assignments for this course must be received on the due date specified for the assignment. Assignments are to be handed in< to your tutorial leaders in tutorials.  Assignments will not be accepted via e-mail. Topics for essay assignments will be discussed in detail in tutorials.

Lateness Penalty: Assignments received later than the due date will be penalized 2% per day (including weekend days -- unless your excuse is good and verifiable i.e. dead cats will not count more than once). Exceptions to the lateness penalty for valid reasons such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., may be entertained by the Course Instructor, but will require supporting documentation (i.e. a doctor’s letter).

Missed Tests: Students with a documented reason for missing a course test, such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., which is confirmed by supporting documentation (e.g., doctor’s letter), may request accommodation from the Course Instructor.  Further extensions or accommodation will require students to submit a formal petition to the faculty.

Cheating: Do not do it. If you plagiarize, the paper will be failed and you will have to write an original paper according to the assignment. If you plagiarize again, you will fail the course and the university will be notified. If you do not understand what counts as plagiarism or cheating, please memorize the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty in your student handbook.

E-Mail:  E-mail is to be used sparingly, and never as a means of handing in an assignment (except with permission from your TA).  I will check my e-mail weekdays up until 6pm, and rarely on weekends, so please be patient.

Laptops:  While it is understood that some students take notes on their laptops, often students use laptops during class to IM or surf around.  We reserve the right to ask students to stop using their laptops if these behaviours become incessant.  During tutorials, your leaders will have freedom to control the use of laptops.

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS:

All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the following information, available on the Senate Committee on Curriculum & Academic Standards webpage (see Reports, Initiatives, Documents) - http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/senate_cte_main_pages/ccas.htm

• York’s Academic Honesty Policy and Procedures/Academic Integrity Website • Ethics Review Process for research involving human participants • Course requirement accommodation for students with disabilities, including physical, medical, systemic, learning and psychiatric disabilities • Student Conduct Standards • Religious Observance Accommodation