American Literature II Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

ENGL-2328-001 American Literature II

Prerequisites

ENGL 1302-minimum grade of C or Department Chair consent

Course Description

A survey of American literature from the Civil War to the present. Students will study works of prose, poetry, drama and fiction in relation to their historical and cultural contexts. Texts will be selected from among a diverse group of authors for what they reflect and reveal about the evolving American experience and character.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\ Amarillo College English Department Plagiarism Policy, revised Spring 2013

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\ The English Department takes plagiarism seriously.

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\ Plagiarism is defined as the following:  the use of someone else’s exact words that are neither quoted nor cited; paraphrasing someone else’s words without citing them; or using someone else’s research without citing it.

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\ Student plagiarism in the Amarillo College English Department is internally tracked.  To clarify, records will be kept in the Department of those students who have plagiarized.  At the beginning of each new semester, the names of students who plagiarized the previous semester will be sent to all English Department faculty. 

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\ Plagiarism may receive a penalty of a zero.  A subsequent infraction will be deemed a reason for expulsion from the class. At this point, the case will be referred to the Vice President of Student Affairs.

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\ Note: Self-plagiarism will be discussed with the class by each instructor and infractions for such are left up to the individual instructor’s discretion.

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\ All sophomore literature classes will include at least one writing assignment designed to connect the literature being studied to an ethical dilemma, demanding that students communicate their critical thinking as they consider both personal and social responsibility issues.

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 Most of your readings will be found in your AC Online portion of the course or will be accessible via internet.  The only two books you need to purchase are Uncle Tom's Cabin, Norton Critical Edition and any copy of Lonesome Dove.

Supplies

\ Computer access; yellow highlighter; reserved "cardboard" notebook for this course.

Student Performance

1.     Identify key ideas, representative authors and works, significant historical or cultural events, and

characteristic perspectives or attitudes expressed in the literature of different periods or regions.

2.     Analyze literary works as expressions of individual or communal values within the social, political, cultural, or religious contexts of different literary periods.

3.     Demonstrate knowledge of the development of characteristic forms or styles of expression during different historical periods or in different regions.

4.     Articulate the aesthetic principles that guide the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.

5.     Write research-based critical papers about the assigned readings in clear and grammatically correct prose, using various critical approaches to literature.

 

 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

\  See Students Rights and Responsibilities.

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\ You are adults.  You are here to learn.  Please do your utmost to help create an environment for yourself and others that is conducive to this end.

Grading Criteria

40% . . . *"portfolio" work

40% . . . analytical research paper

20% . . . final exam

 *Portfolio? A selection of assigned work--homework, reading quizzes, group worksheets, etc.

Attendance

Completing the course successfully is much dependent on faithful attendance. You are responsible for communicating with me regarding any absence.  You are also responsible for making sure that you get any handouts or notes missed.  You may contact me at mldodson@actx.edu or at 371-5176 or, in an emergency, at 206-0310.

Calendar

Additional Information

 This is the "latter" half of American literature.  However, you can't know where you're going if you don't know where you've been.  So, we will begin at the beginning and spend the bulk of the semester in the Civl War onward period of American literature. I've decided to attempt to do cover all of this by hitting what I believe to be the three major components of what has, at least traditionally, made America uniquely American: faith, freedom, and the frontier. Indeed, all three are intertwined via America's Puritan roots and Romantic (with a capital "R") approach to life.

Don't panic as you review your Supplemental Reading list (in your online section of the course). I will cover much of this in class. I promise I won't overload you! The three "major" readings for the semester will be Mary Rowlandson's Captivity Narrative (rather short), Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, and then the "big one", Lonesome Dove. You might keep these three with you and tackle them any and every time you have a few free minutes: I recall reading college assignments under hair dryers, while cooking (don't let the bacon burn!), and while waiting at the doctor's' office with a coughing child.  A good habit to develop is highlighting passages that strike you as significant--that you find either particularly insightful or that you find possibly confusing. Then, you can always reference them later when we get to that section.

I will thoroughly cover your analytical research paper assignment as the time approaches and give you ample time--and help--to do well with your chosen topic. Optional and "extra credit?" You may watch the following films and then write a two-page essay on each of these: The Last of the Mohicans and its reflection of American Romanticism, The Patriot and its reflection of American Romanticism, and/or Amazing Grace and Abolitionism. For each of these you will earn two points on your overall semester grade.

Please let me know if, at any point, you have questions, concerns, or issues that are making it difficult for you to do well.  I will listen and do my best to be of help.  Also, please, please DO NOT DROP without first visiting with me; I've found that I can often find a way for a student to complete the semester--give me a chance to help you complete the course!

Feel free to call me if you have any questions--office: 371-5176 and cell--206-0310.  I don't want you "stuck" and would rather clarify any problems for you "whenever."