Eng 241/242:
Survey of American Literature I
Text: I--The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Vols. A & B, 7th ed.
II—The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Vols. C, D, & E, 7th
ed.
Web-based Independent Study
Instructor: Tondalaya W. VanLear
Office: Room 413
Ph: 863.2854
Email:
tvanlear@dslcc.edu
Welcome to Eng 241/242! These courses offer you a journey into the foundation of American literature (241) and its later development (242), along with giving you a close look at the “canon” of works that establish that basis. I look forward to working with each one of you as we discover the great history of literature that has developed in America since its early days as a colony through its riveting time of Civil War and on into modern times.
Course Description: Eng 241 explores writings in America from its earliest days as an established colony, including a look at some Native American writings, through approximately the 1870s. Eng 242 explores writings in America from the late 1800s through the 20th century. Using a survey-style, students read, examine, and analyze major male and female writers of the time. Through an in-depth look at both genre form and historical influences, students will develop an overview of these works and their place in both the literary “realm” and the cultural history in which they were created.
Course Objectives: Students will continue to develop their critical reading and writing skills by examining and responding to the assigned works; students will demonstrate their understanding through active participation in online forums, submission of their ideas in well-developed essays, and completion of exams for the course.
Course Requirements:
** Participation is not an option. As an online course, you will have several areas of interaction that are crucial to success in this course. Participating in the online discussions provides a key area of idea/concept understanding and exchange. You must complete all of these assignments—whether they are article/website evaluations, response essays, project sections, journals, exams, or reaction works. To not complete even one of these works is grounds for failure in the course.
** Journal assignments will be an integral part of this course. These questions will be posted weekly on the Bb Discussion Board, and I consider them reaction/response pieces rather than critiqued essays. Say what you think and why you think it---back up your ideas with specifics from the readings and when you respond to a classmate (or more than one), use positive criticism as your guide. Any unconsidered reactions or inconsiderate responses will receive an appropriate failing grade. These submissions will be graded on the basis of your thorough and thoughtful content/ideas.
** You will have two proctored exams in this course, all of which will be announced well-ahead of schedule. I will arrange a timeframe (a 3- day option) in the DSLCC library for you to complete these tests. If you do not complete the test in the scheduled timeframe, you will receive a 0 on the exam. I do not give make-up exams.
** Response essays will be assigned periodically and will have a specific focus for you to develop your ideas. These essays involve both reaction and discovery of the writings you will be reading in the course, and they offer you an arena to present your ideas and evaluations of the material as well as show what you think in response to these writers who make up the “American canon” of literature. The essay focuses will be posted on the course homepage and are usually due a week or so after posting. You will submit these writings via Assignments Links in Bb. Be sure your essay file format is either a MS Word document or that you have saved it in Rich Text File format. Otherwise Bb will not open the file. If your submission is not accessible, I will email you once to let you know and your essay will be counted as late until you resubmit in the correct format.
These essays must be in standard MLA format. If you choose to include any outside readings that you have found to help support your ideas, these sources must be clearly documented in MLA style. I do not expect you to do research for these pieces, but please understand that any information not your own should be clearly cited. I will assume that your references to the readings have come from our text, and you should include any page numbers for quotes that you use in your essay, but if you use other sources, they must be clearly cited and included on a Works Cited page, along with your text, at the end of your essay. No exceptions.
**Other assignments may include online article evaluations, informal responses to reactions or commentaries, or other areas of response that will help you explore the readings. Again, these assignments are not options.
** Due dates for all assignments will be posted on the website. Any late assignment will be assessed a late penalty of 1 letter grade per day until properly submitted.
** All assignments are requirements of this course. Your failure to turn in any one of these assignments, regardless of its weight in the final evaluation, is considered grounds for failing this course.
** Your first assignment is to email a brief message to me from your DSLCC address (not a home/personal account) by the end of the first week of classes. This task is not an option and counts as a written assignment. I will use your DSLCC email address for all notices/course information, so be sure to access your account and check it.
Course Notes:
Your commitment to reading, response, and discussion is critical for success in this course. As we examine the amazing, complex, and fascinating world of American Literature, you cannot be a silent observer. There are no pat answers in this class—and more than knowing the facts comes the importance of reacting and developing your understanding of the works we will examine. I expect you to be an active participant and say what you think and why you think it.
**A Word on Plagiarism: DSLCC takes an act of plagiarism seriously, and I fully support their policy. ANY work you hand in as your own should be just that—YOUR OWN. Plagiarism of any work in this course will not be tolerated and will result in your failing this course, regardless of your current grades in this class, and I will pursue disciplinary action by the college for that offense if warranted. **
Course Goals:
Students will gain an introductory knowledge of American Literature in Eng 241 from its early years, from the colonial period through the Civil War and for Eng 242 from the Civil War restoration through modern times and will develop an ability to effectively examine and interpret various works. Through readings in the text, with web resources, in research, and in individual response papers, students will form an avenue for exploring and understanding this field of literature in several media.
Students with special needs:
Any student who may require instructional modifications/accommodations due to a documented learning, sensory, or medical disability should see me immediately to discuss these concerns.
Grading: Final Grade Evaluation:
3.6 to 4.0 = A Response Essays = 35%
3.0 to 3.5 = B Journals = 20%
2.0 to 2.9 = C Other Assignments = 15%
1.0 to 1.9 = D Participation = 15%
0 to 0.9 = F Exams = 15%