|[pic] |Syllabus |
| |College of Humanities |
| |ENG/120 Version 3 |
| |Business Literature |

Copyright © © 2011, 2007, 2006 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.

Course Description

This course explores business and the workplace through imaginative literature and essays. Students may study poems, plays, short stories, and essays with themes or story lines that emanate from the workplace. Students will read, interpret, and analyze the literature while responding to the connections between occupation and personal identity and the connections between the social and personal significance of their relationship with work. Students will note and discuss trends in society that are illustrated by business and workplace attitudes and portrayed in literature.

Policies

Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents:

• University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.

University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality.

Course Materials

Scheckner, P., & Boyes, M. C. (Eds.). (2008) The way we work. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press.

All electronic materials are available on the student website.

|Week One: Elements of Literature and Common Workplace Themes |
| |Details |Due |Points |
|Objectives |Describe the elements of literature. | | |
| |Describe how literature explores workplace themes. | | |
| |Analyze the connection between personal identity and workplace identity. | | |
|Reading |Read the following sections from The Way We Work: |10/23/12 | |
| | | | |
| |“Introduction” (pages xi-xvi) | | |
| |“Orientation” (pp. 7–11) | | |
| |“Things You Need to Know about your Boss” (pp. 131–132) | | |
| |“Job” (pp. 196–198) | | |
| |“Livelihood” (pp. 199–208) | | |
| |“The Basement” (pp. 250–255) | | |
| |“At Work” (pp. 259–262) | | |
| |“He’s at the Office” (pp. 265–277) | | |
|Reading |Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. |10/23/12 | |
|Participation |Participate in class discussion. |10/23/12 |2 |
|Discussion Questions |Respond to weekly discussion questions. |10/23/12 |2 |
|In-class essay |A written response relevant to the classroom discussions |10/23/12 |2 |
|Learning Team Instructions |Resource: Learning Team Toolkit |10/26/12 |2 |
|Learning Team Charter |Complete the Learning Team Charter. | | |
|Individual |Select two readings from this week that you identify with. |10/23/12 |12 |
|Elements of Literature and | | | |
|Workplace Themes Paper |Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that describes elements from the two readings chosen and how| | |
| |they relate to your own work experience. Include specific examples from the works you have | | |
| |selected and describe how they connect with your own work. | | |
| | | | |
| |Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. | | |

Week One Discussion Questions

• Literature rephrases the question, “Do we work for monetary gain or for personal gratification?” What are some ways this is done and what are the effects of rephrasing abstract questions?

• As you read the various works this week, did you think the point of view of each author was credible? Explain why or why not.

• Can you relate any of the experiences in the readings to your own work experience either now or in the past?

• Refer to the University of Phoenix Material: Literary Elements. Can you find examples of metaphors, simile, or other literary elements in the reading? Please describe them.

|Week Two: Poetry and the Work Environment |
| |Details |Due |Points |
|Objectives | | | |
| |Analyze selected works of poetry in relation to their portrayal of the work environment. | | |
| |Identify perspectives of diversity, personal integrity, or social justice in the workplace as| | |
| |illustrated through poetry. | | |
| |Explain how poetry themes may enrich your understanding of experiences. | | |
|Reading |Read the following sections from The Way We Work: |10/30/12 | |
| | | | |
| |“The Joy that Packs the Body” (pp. 12–14) | | |
| |“Morrison’s, 1968” (pp. 28–29) | | |
| |“We Who Have Escaped” (pp. 70–72) | | |
| |“When I was Eleven” (pp. 92–93) | | |
| |“Debt” (pp. 153–154) | | |
| |“Photograph: Migrant Worker, Parlier, California, 1967” (pp. 168) | | |
| |“White Boots: Ghost of the San Manuel Mine” (pp. 223–225) | | |
| |“After Garbage Men” (pp. 239–240) | | |
|Reading |Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. |10/30/12 | |
|Participation |Participate in class discussion. |10/30/12 |2 |
|Discussion Questions |Team - Respond to weekly discussion questions as a team, be ready to present your favorite |10/30/12 |2 |
| |question and answer to the class. | | |
|In-class essay |A written response relevant to the classroom discussions |10/30/12 |2 |
|Individual |Select one of the readings from this week that you found interesting. |10/30/12 |13 |
|Poetry and the Work |Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that identifies the following variety of perspectives: | | |
|Environment Paper | | | |
| |How do the individuals in the selected reading view their work? | | |
| | | | |
| |Are there any similarities or differences to the work described in the selected reading to | | |
| |your own employment? | | |
| | | | |
| |Describe perspectives of diversity, personal integrity, or social justice in the workplace | | |
| |that you think are present in the selected reading. | | |
| | | | |
| |Is the medium of poetry effective in describing the job in your selected reading? Explain why| | |
| |or why not. | | |
| | | | |
| |Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. | | |

Week Two Discussion Questions

• What were some of the words or phrases in the readings you could relate to and how did they relate to your own work?

• Did any of the works resonate with you regarding diversity, moral values, or integrity? If so, can you describe how using specific examples?

• Have you had any social interactions at work that relate to any of the readings for this week? Explain why.

• How does figurative language create images that cause an emotional response?

• Did you find reading poetry about work challenging? If so, what made the reading challenging?

• Does seeing the workplace through poetry bring a new or different perspective to your view of the workplace? If not, explain why.

•

|Week Three: Fiction and the Work Environment |
| |Details |Due |Points |
|Objectives | | | |
| |Analyze selected works of fiction in relation to their portrayal of the work environment. | | |
| |Identify perspectives of diversity, personal integrity, or social justice in the workplace as| | |
| |illustrated through fiction. | | |
| |Explain how fiction themes may enrich your understanding of workplace experiences. | | |
|Reading |Read the following sections from The Way We Work: |11/6/12 | |
| | | | |
| |“Coins” (pp. 19–27) | | |
| |"The Suicidal Freezer Unit” (pp. 155–167) | | |
| |“After Cowboy Chicken Came to Town” (pp. 169–195) | | |
| |"The Fireman” (pp. 209–222) | | |
| |“Appointed Route” (pp. 243–249) | | |
| |"Jane” (pp. 285–289) | | |
|Reading |Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. |11/6/12 | |
|Participation |Participate in class discussion. |11/6/12 |2 |
|Discussion Questions |Respond to weekly discussion questions. |11/6/12 |2 |
|In-class essay |A written response relevant to the classroom discussions |11/6/12 |2 |
|Individual |Select one of the readings from this week that you found entertaining. |11/6/12 |12 |
|Fiction and the Work |Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that identifies the following: | | |
|Environment Paper |What lesson or lessons did you learn from the selected reading? | | |
| |How do these individuals in the selected reading view their work? | | |
| |Are there any similarities or differences to the work described in the selected reading to | | |
| |your own employment? | | |
| |Describe perspectives of diversity, personal integrity, or social justice in the workplace | | |
| |that you think are present in the selected reading. | | |
| | | | |
| |Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. | | |
|Learning Team |Select a theme related to work as presented in the readings—for example joy, frustration, |11/6/12 |10 |
|Literature and Values Outline |diversity, personal integrity, and social justice. | | |
| | | | |
| |Discuss the following in your Learning Team: | | |
| | | | |
| |Select at least four readings from the course, from at least two genres, that relate to your | | |
| |theme. | | |
| | | | |
| |Discuss how the works of literature help demonstrate your selected theme using specific | | |
| |examples from your selected readings. | | |
| | | | |
| |Provide specific examples of lessons that can be learned from the readings selected. | | |
| | | | |
| |Create an outline for the Literature and Values assignment due in Week Five. | | |

Week Three Discussion Questions

• How might an author’s treatment of fiction change your way of viewing the business world?

• Do you think literature should take a stand on social interactions in the workplace? Explain why.

• Do you prefer reading short stories as opposed to essays or poetry? Which type of literature does the best job of relating to the workplace in your opinion? Explain.

• How might settings convey meaning? Explain.

• In what ways do workplace titles and roles define us as individuals? Are examples of limitations or empowerments by role definition shown in the texts?

|Week Four: Essays and the Work Environment |
| |Details |Due |Points |
|Objectives | | | |
| |Analyze selected essays in relation to their portrayal of the work environment. | | |
| |Identify perspectives of diversity, personal integrity, or social justice in the workplace as| | |
| |illustrated through essays. | | |
| |Explain how essay themes may enrich your understanding of workplace experiences. | | |
|Reading |Read the following sections from The Way We Work: |11/13/12 | |
| | | | |
| |“Hatchet Man” (pp. 15–18). | | |
| |"The Midnight Tour” (pp. 30–38). | | |
| |“Torch Song” (pp. 73–91). | | |
| |“McDonald’s – We Do it all for You” (pp. 94–108). | | |
| |“Jobbed” (pp. 127–130 | | |
|Reading |Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. |11/13/12 | |
|Participation |Participate in class discussion. |11/13/12 |2 |
|Discussion Questions |Respond to weekly discussion questions as a team, be ready to present your favorite question |11/13/12 |2 |
| |and answer to the class. | | |
|In-class essay |A written response relevant to the classroom discussions |11/13/12 |2 |
|Individual |Select your favorite and least favorite works from this week’s reading. |11/13/12 |13 |
|Essays and the Work |Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that identifies the following: | | |
|Environment Paper | | | |
| |Explain why you preferred one work over the other. | | |
| |How do the individuals in the selected reading view their work? | | |
| |Are there any similarities or differences to the work described in the selected reading to | | |
| |your own employment? | | |
| |Describe perspectives of diversity, or personal integrity, or social justice in the workplace| | |
| |that you think are present in the selected reading. | | |
| | | | |
| |Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. | | |

Week Four Discussion Questions

• If you wrote an essay about the workplace what social or workplace problems would you address?

• How is the basic human need for satisfying work portrayed in the readings? What happens when there is no satisfying work available?

• What ways can individual attitudes be changed by reading essays about the workplace?

• Can issues of diversity, integrity, or social justice be adequately tackled in a humorous essay? Explain why.

• How can we benefit from reading essays about individual relationships in the workplace?

|Week Five: Literature and Values |
| |Details |Due |Points |
|Objectives | | | |
| |Compare different authors’ treatment of particular themes in the workplace. | | |
| |Describe reasons specific literary types commonly portray certain workplace themes. | | |
| |Explain how various literary forms portray trends in the workplace. | | |
|Readings |Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. |11/20/12 | |
|Participation |Participate in class discussion. |11/20/12 |2 |
|Discussion Questions |Respond to weekly discussion questions. |11/20/12 |2 |
|Learning Team | |11/20/12 |20 |
|Literature and Values |Option 1: Literature and Values Microsoft® PowerPoint® Presentation | | |
| | | | |
| |Create a 12- to 15-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation from your Learning Team | | |
| |discussion that includes the following: | | |
| | | | |
| |Select a theme related to work as presented in the readings—for example joy, frustration, | | |
| |diversity, personal integrity, and social justice. | | |
| |Select at least four readings from the course, from at least two genres, that relate to your | | |
| |theme. | | |
| | | | |
| |Explain how the works of literature help demonstrate your selected theme. | | |
| | | | |
| |Provide specific examples of lessons that can be learned from the works selected. | | |
| | | | |
| |Provide examples to demonstrate which forms of literature best portray trends in the | | |
| |workplace. | | |
| | | | |
| |Include detailed speaker’s notes. | | |
| |Format your project consistent with APA guidelines. | | |
| | | | |

Week Five Discussion Questions

• What draws you to enjoy specific literary works more than others?

• What does it mean to be a member of the working class?

• How much do work titles influence our self-identity and interactions in the workplace?

• What shapes your emotional response to the readings throughout the course?

• How does the element of entertainment relate to the communication of serious messages about the workplace?

Copyright

University of Phoenix® is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Microsoft®, Windows®, and Windows NT® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation.

Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix® editorial standards and practices.