Course Description: This course will
survey major trends and writers in American literature from the
Puritans to the present. Readings will include poems, novels,
essays, autobiographies, short stories, social commentaries, political
tracts, and philosophy, originating in different regions and social settings across the country. Some works are chosen from their historical importance, others for their thematic insight, others for their aesthetic virtues. Taken together, they form a rich collection of imaginative and critical writing, composed by former slaves and United States Presidents, by immigrants and expatriates, by Harvard professors and unknown spinsters. Our goal will be to analyze these works as diverse representations of American experience, ideas, and values. As it is created, literature in its widest sense can function as moral instruction, political polemic, personal expression, and casual entertainment. Broaching the literature carefully requires that we be attuned to its varied purposes, and skillful in detailing the ways in which it accomplishes them. This means that much classroom discussion will involve close textual commentary upon the assigned works. As we proceed to study the literature of the past, however, the material begins to form a tradition, and familiarity with that tradition is one of the prerequisites of liberal education. As the course progresses, then, we will develop a larger sense of the progress of American writing, and discern continuities and discontinuities from one age to the next. By the end of the course, students will have acquired a basic knowledge of American literary history, combining a trained eye for authorial styles and a flexible talent for textual interpretation with a solid understanding of historical contexts.
Grading:
weekly quizzes
20%
1st
essay (Melville)
20%
2nd
take-home essay 20%
work
ethic
10%
final
exam
30%
Class Participation: The nature of this class
requires individual responsibility and maturity in participation and
attendance. You are expected to prepare for class by reading and
thinking about those readings before you come to class and you will be
expected to actively participate in class discussions. Please be
on time for all classes.
Attendance: Attendance is required and more
than 1 absence will lower your grade. More
than 2 will result in failure for the course. You are also responsible for
making up any work missed through absences.
Papers: All papers must be word processed (to
be turned in to Becky Palmer in Jackson Hall 307) in proper MLA
format. Late Work--UNACCEPTABLE. All work is to be
completed and turned in on time. Late papers will receive one
letter grade lower for every
day late. Late papers more than 3 days late automatically receive
a
failing grade.
Schedule: The class schedule is dynamic
and therefore liable to change. It is your responsibility to
check the online syllabus every few days to see what changes or
additions have occured.
Conferences: If you have any questions or
concerns about the course and its assignments, please feel free to make
an
appointment to see me when you need help. This semester my
official
office hours are Monday 2:00 - 3:30; Tu and Th from 9:45 to 11:15 and by appt. Go to contact
information
for this course for specific ways to reach me.
Honor Code: Plagiarism is a most serious
offense. Penalties as severe as a zero on an assignment, failure in the
course, or expulsion from the college are possible. Learn and
practice the Centenary Honor Code as stated in the Student
Handbook.