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ENGLAND COLLEGE The Stories We Tell: How Narratives Define Us in the 21st Century (LAS 1110-12) Monday/Wednesday, 1:20 2:40 CEI 102 EDWARD STAPEL estapel@nec.edu 603.428.2245 PO Box 68 Office: Tower #1 Office Hours: M/W 12:00-1:00, T/Th 11:00-1:00 and by appointment My wicked lame blog: edwardstapel.blogspot.com Course Description This course will investigate how we, as humans, define ourselves by the stories we tell. While acknowledging the rich history of storytelling throughout human history, this course will focus on contemporary narrative practices. Students will be introduced to various methods of storytelling utilized by contemporary artists. Specific attention will be given to non-linear and image-based narrative methods in short stories, novels, films, photography, and web-based projects. Additionally, various forms of social media will be examined to see how they, too, construct narratives in, and of, our contemporary culture. In this course, students will be asked to recognize and comprehend narrative structures and strategies utilized in contemporary forms of visual art. While certain narrative techniques, such as non-linear plotlines or image-based stories, have been a part of literature and the arts for some time, specific attention will be given to projects created since 2000 (with one or two exceptions from the late-20th century). Attention will be given to this contemporary era because of its relationship to technology specifically the internet, the Web 2.0 world, the various arenas of social media, and the devices we use to access everything. The ultimate goal of this course is for students to recognize how meaning is delivered through various forms of narrative structure and that the ways in which we comprehend these narratives can define our identity both individually and culturally. For students who are interested in the creative arts, the comprehension of these narrative strategies will inform their own work. Required Text A Visit from the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan (novel) (A VERY Incomplete List of) Other Material to be Covered (Supplied) The Usual Suspects (film) Memento (film)

Selection(s) from Break it Down, by Lydia Davis (short stories) House of Coates, by Brad Zellar and Lester B. Morrison (novella/photography) A, by Gregory Halpern (photography) Days With My Father, by Philip Toledano (photography/web-based project) Strongly Recommended Texts A dictionary (if you dont already have one) Dictionary.com (or similar website) bookmarked on your computer A Short Guide to Writing About Art by Sylvan Barnet (8th ed. or later) Journal Students will be required to compile a journal of some sort dedicated to this course. Since social media will be a part of discussions in this course, students may create an online journal in the form of a blog, Tumblr, or similar. This journal will be read and graded please keep this in mind when starting your journal. If you choose an online journal please be aware that it will be public (to a certain extent). If you choose a traditional written journal please keep it relatively small in size (composition book-size, or thereabouts). Also keep in mind that written journals will be collected for grading. Classroom Policies Class time is designed to provide each student a reasonable educational environment, and as such, we must respect one another both in and out of the classroom. Your preparation for class assignments and discussions forms one part of this, but your behavior forms the other. Please do not arrive late or leave early or use digital media in a distracting fashion. You may use a laptop, or other device, to take notes or to look up issues that arise in class discussions. You are not to participate in social media (including texting) while in class unless such usage is part of a class discussion or presentation. Ignoring these guidelines may result in disciplinary action. Attendance and Participation If you miss more than 3 classes, your final grade will be dropped one letter grade. If you miss more than 5 classes, you will fail this class. If you come to class 15 minutes late, you will be considered absent. If you ignore the guidelines outlined above regarding digital devices and/or phones you will be considered absent. There are no excused absences. Attendance is mandatory. If you have a conflict with a scheduled quiz or due date it is your responsibility to make arrangements with me to turn in your work at another time. Assignments must be turned in on time. Late assignments will be marked down one letter grade for each class they are late.

Since class discussion is a pertinent part of this class, class participation is mandatory and will be taken into consideration for grading. Accommodations for Disabilities If you have a documented learning need that will require accommodations for this class, you should see Anna Carlson in the Disability Services Office, CEI 210. She will help you determine possible accommodations for this class. Once you have completed the Needs Assessment Form with Ms. Carlson, we can meet to decide how I can best help you overcome any barriers to your academic success. Please be aware that you must be able to demonstrate competency in this class. This means that with accommodations, you can meet all the educational objectives of the course. For more information, see the Policy on Accommodations listed on the NEC website under Disability Services. GRADING CRITERIA Attendance and Participation 25% Journal and Assignments 25% Mid-term Exam 25% Final Exam 25% GRADING SCALE A = 100 93 A- = 92-90 B+ = 89-87 B = 86-83 B- = 82-80 C+ = 79-77 C = 76-73 C- = 72-70 D+ = 69-67 D = 6663 D- = 62 60 F = 59 and below

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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE THROUGH MID-TERM MONDAY WEDNESDAY

9/10 Discussion: Lena Dunham Film: Start The Usual Suspects 9/17 Discussion: The Usual Suspects (cont.) Assignment: Days with my Father and A 9/24 Quiz 1 Assignment: French Lesson, Part 1 10/1 Discussion: House of Coates Assignment: Your House of Coates 10/8 Film: Memento (cont.) 10/15 Critique: Your House of Coates 10/22 Mid-Semester Break no class

9/5 Class intro and overview. Assigned reading: Lena Dunham 9/12 Film: The Usual Suspects (cont.) 9/19 Discussion: Days with my Father and A 9/26 Discussion: French Lesson, Part I Assignment: House of Coates 10/3 Film: Memento 10/10 Discussion: Memento 10/17 Mid-Term Quiz (2) 10/24 TBA