Course Overview

This class will provide students with an introduction to some of the most influential authors in the American literary tradition. Selected works cover 250 years of American history and include works of poetry, short story and novel.

Objectives

Over the semester, I expect students to achieve the following goals:

• Understand and interpret texts by great American authors from a variety of literary genres and time periods.

• Discuss these texts in the context of a classroom discussion or smaller group discussions.

• Write convincing arguments about the meanings of these texts in examinations and the online discussion forum.

• Recall key facts about the works in question including but not limited to the date of publication, the author, the title, general topics.

Expectations

In order to accomplish this goal, students must

• Read the required books carefully,
• Attend class.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of these works in three exams and through participation in an on-line discussion group.

Grade Breakdown

Your grade will depend primarily on your written work and the understanding of the material that you convey through that work. A command of standard written English and the ability to present an argument will also contribute to the determination of your grade. Any infractions against UMD's Scholastic Dishonesty provisions in the Student Conduct Code as stated in the UMD catalogue will receive serious attention and appropriate penalties.

Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might influence their capacity to perform in this class, should inform me at the start of the semester. I can make special adaptations of teaching methods, assignments, materials, or testing as required to provide for equitable participation in the course. The Access Center is also available to assist students with disabilities. It is located in 256 Kirby Student Center and on the web at <http://www.d.umn.edu/access>.

Required Texts

Connaroe, Joel, ed. Six American Poets. New York: Vintage, 1993.

Melville, Herman. Billy Budd, Sailor. 1924. New York: Penguin, 1972.

Morrison, Toni. Beloved. 1987. New York: Random House, 2004.

Pynchon, Thomas. The Crying of Lot 49. 1966. New York: HarperCollins, 1999.

Susanna Rowson. Charlotte Temple. 1791. New York: Random House, 2004.