MORAVIAN COLLEGE Fall 2008 English 101 A& B American Literature Instructor- Dr. Mary Comfort Office- Zinzendorf 104 Phone- [phone] Office Hours- M, W, F 10:00-11:00 & by appt. [e-mail] Class Meetings MWF (English 101A- 9:10-10:00, 101B 11:30-12:10) Prerequisite: satisfactory completion of Writing 100 or equivalent course. TEXT Perkins . American Tradition in Literature. "Concise" Edition, 11th edition. New York McGraw-Hill, 2007. COURSE GOALS (for instructor) To introduce some of the many voices in American literature To discuss historic, literary, and cultural contexts of American literature To model respect for varied responses during class discussion To provide opportunities for oral presentations in small groups and in the class To respond thoughtfully to students' views as written in essays To encourage students to enjoy the challenges of serious literature GOALS (for students) 1. To identify American authors, their works, and the movements they illustrate 2. To recognize values and define themes in American literature 3. To think critically about and appreciate the complexity and diversity of serious literature 4. To enter into and continue a discussion about American literature, its themes and its style 5. To write essays that shape and extend this discussion, to cite research about our readings 6. To understand literal meanings and consider strategies to create and implications of figurative meanings 7. To tolerate--even welcome--ambiguity 8. To introduce the terminology associated with writing, including styles and movements, literary terms, and critical approaches 9. To provide a basis for advanced study of literature GRADES Three essays @ 15% = 45% Topics provided Midterm =15% Final = 20% Participation = 20% (discussion, quizzes, presentations, etc.) TIME CONSIDERATIONS Regular and prompt attendance will protect your grade. Final grades may be lowered 1/3 letter grade for each absence after 3. Invest 2-3 hours outside of class preparing for each hour in class (possibly more time when tests and papers are due.) QUIZZES will not be announced & cannot be made up. ESSAYS MLA format, minimum length: 2 pages, 1 inch margins on all pages, all in 12 point font SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS If you have any concerns about this course (the readings, the assignments, the instructor, the classroom, etc.), please contact me right away so we can work together to make this introduction to American literature meaningful for you and so you can succeed in this endeavor. Students for whom the traditional classroom format and arrangement interferes with learning should get authorization from student services for special considerations in terms of class management or scheduling. Please submit the appropriate documentation to your instructor as soon as possible. Please do not use computers, cell phones, etc. during class meetings. PLAGIARISM Follow the Moravian College policy on plagiarism and original work. Submit your own work. Cheating and plagiarism will be reported and will result in failure on the assignment or in the course. Repeat offenses could result in your dismissal from Moravian College. GRADING All course grade and all grades for participation, quizzes, tests, and papers will be assigned at the discretion of the instructor. Study readings, period introductions, & headnotes This is tentative list. Discussion and interests may prompt changes. Be flexible; stay tuned ! 8/ 25- INTRODUCTION 8/ 27 BRADSTREET selections 8/ 29 TAYLOR selections 9/ 1: Labor Day- no class mtg. 9/ 3 EDWARDS Sinners in the Hands 9/ 5 FRANKLIN Autobiography 9/ 8 WHEATLEY Selections 9/ 10 IRVING Rip Van Winkle 9/ 12 EMERSON Self-Reliance 9/ 15 THOREAU Civil Disobedience 9/ 17 POE Sonnet--To Science; The Raven; The Purloined Letter 9/ 19 HAWTHORNE Rappaccini's Daughter Essay # 1 due 9/ 22 MELVILLE Bartleby the Scrivener 9/ 24 DOUGLASS Narrative of ..Life of ... Douglass 9/ 26 WHITMAN When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd 9/ 29 DICKINSON Selections 10/ 1 TWAIN Notorious Jumping Frog ... 10/ 3 Midte...