Syllabus
One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
by Ken Kesey
Readings, Assignments, and Quizzes*
Ms. Mahaney’s 4nd and 7th hours
CalendarThursday, February 5: Cuckoo’s Nest 1-41
Monday, February 9: Cuckoo’s Nest 42-82
Tuesday, February 10: Webquest Lab Day
Thursday, February 12: Cuckoo’s Nest 83-128
Friday, February 13: Reading Day
Monday, February 16: President’s Day
Tuesday, February 17: Webquest Lab Day
Wednesday, February 18: Quiz over Part 1
AND
Cuckoo’s Nest 129-190
Monday, February 23: Cuckoo’s Nest 191-218
Tuesday, February 24: Character Review Day
Thursday, February 26: Quiz over Parts 2 and 3
Friday, February 27: Cuckoo’s Nest 219-241
Monday, February 2: 241-End
Tuesday, March 3: Library Work and Research Day
Thursday, March 5: Quiz over Part 4
AND
Begin Movie
Friday, March 6: Movie
Tuesday, March 10: Movie
Optional Rough Draft of Final Essay Due
Wednesday, March 11: Movie
Thursday, March 12: Movie and Novel Discussion
Friday, March 13: Final essay DUE
Journal Notes (60 points: 20 points for each turn in)
Please take notes in a journal for every reading assignment. These journals will be collected on each quiz day and will be given a completion grade. For this assignment you must:·
Pick three quotes or scenes FROM EACH READING ASSIGNMENT listed on the syllabus handout
· Reference the page number and part of the quote in your notebooks
· Write a half a page response under the quote discussing its importance to the themes of the novel, to connections that can be made to other things we’ve read, or questions this quote may raise in your mind.
This assignment will help you prepare for the quizzes and will help you gather textual support for your final papers.
Quizzes (70 points total)
There will be three quizzes. These quizzes may consist of matching, multiple choice, and one or two short answer/short essay questions. They probably will not take the entire period so be prepared to discuss or read on those days.
Essay (125 points)
For your final assignment you will have to write a 3 – 5 page literary analysis concerning topics we’ve discussed in the novel and in the Webquest. A literary analysis essay is a paper that focuses on one topic present within a piece of literature. Specific quotes and examples from the text must be used to support the argument you present about your chosen topic. You can choose one of the essay prompts below or you can create your own topic. If you want to choose your own topic that is fine, but I must approve it.
Essay Prompts:
1. How may a character’s past lifestyle effect their how they interact with others in the mental institution and effect their decision to stay in the mental institution in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest? Choose either Mr. Harding, McMurphy, or the Chief and analyze how their economic background effects their decisions throughout the novel. Include specific quotes from novel to support your thesis. You may also use any other resources we have used in class to support your thesis (Girl Interrupted, EBSCO resources, books pulled in the library).
2. How do the patients in the mental hospital in Cuckoo’s Nest compare to the changing social dynamics in early 1960s America? In what ways does the atmosphere created on the ward by Nurse Ratched and McMurphy suggest resistance to change or the success of change? Who might Nurse Ratched and McMurphy be symbols of in this context? Why? Include specific quotes from novel to support your thesis. You may also use any other resources we have used in class to support your thesis (Girl Interrupted, EBSCO resources, books pulled in the library).
3. Compare two female characters in Cuckoo’s Nest. Choose from Nurse Ratched, Vera Harding, The Night Nurse (Nurse Pilbow), Mrs. Bromden, Mrs. Bibbit, and Candy. How are these women similar and different? Can they be symbols of feminist ideals, patriarchal society, social reform, etc.? Focu on one of these topics. How does Kesey’s characterization of these women support each symbol? Include specific quotes from novel to support your thesis. You may also use any other resources we have used in class to support your thesis (Girl Interrupted, EBSCO resources, books pulled in the library).
*This schedule may change, but you will always be notified in advance if changes will be made