Course Overview

This class will provide students with an introduction to some of the most influential authors in the American literary tradition. To acquire better strategies for interpreting these readings, students will also acquire basic elements of literary analysis.

Objectives

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

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

2. Be able to discuss the importance of these texts in terms of literary techniques, historical contexts, engagement with political questions and other qualities.

3. Write convincing arguments about how we should interpret these texts.

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

Expectations

In order to accomplish this goal, students must

1. Read the required books carefully.

2. Attend classÑshow up on time and prepared to discuss the readings assigned for that day. Students have a responsibility to plan their schedules to avoid excessive conflicts with course requirements. Excessive absences will have a negative impact on the grade that you receive in this course. Excusable absences include "subpoenas, jury duty, military duty, religious observances, illness, bereavement for immediate family and NCAA varsity college athletics." Please contact the instructor about anticipated absences in order to minimize their influence on your coursework. For more information on excused absences, see " http://www.d.umn.edu/vcaa/ExcusedAbsence.html."

3. Demonstrate a clear understanding of these works in quizzes, three exams and the character analysis assignment.

4. Respect fellow students and refrain from behavior that might impair their learning opportunities. Any behavior that substantially and repeatedly interrupts the instructor's ability to teach or the students' ability to learn will result in appropriate penalties. Disruptive behavior includes inappropriate use of communications technology in the classroom, such as ringing cell phones, text-messaging, watching videos, playing computer games, doing email, or surfing the Internet on one's computer instead of note-taking or other instructor-sanctioned activities. For further clarification of UMD policies in this regard, consult UMD's Student Conduct Code at "http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/Student_Conduct_Code.pdf".

5. UMD instructors and students have a responsibility to maintain a learning environment that is, as stated in the Teaching and Learning Policy, "respectful of the rights and freedoms of all members, and promotes a civil and open exchange of ideas." The full policy is available at "http://www.d.umn.edu/vcaa/TeachingLearning.html".

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.

Late assignments will receive a deduction of 1/3 of a letter grade for each business day that they are late. Students who miss exams may not make them up without a valid excuse for the absence. Valid excuses include health emergencies and family crises. If students anticipate missing an exam or a paper deadline for a valid reason and consult with me in advance, I can consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Academic dishonesty tarnishes the reputation of the University of Minnesota Duluth and discredits the accomplishments of its students. Because the university is committed to providing students every possible opportunity to grow in mind and spirit, it must insist on an environment of trust, honesty, and fairness. Consequently, all members of the academic community must regard any act of academic dishonesty as a serious offense. In keeping with this ideal, this course will adhere to UMD's Student Academic Integrity Policy, which is available online at "http://www.d.umn.edu/conduct/integrity/". This policy sanctions students engaging in academic dishonesty with penalties up to and including expulsion from the university for repeat offenders.

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 Disability Resources Center is also available to assist students with disabilities. It is located in 258 Kirby Student Center and on the web at "http://www.d.umn.edu/access/".

Required Texts

Frost, Robert. Poems by Robert Frost: A Boy's Will and North of Boston. New York: Signet, 2001. Print.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Sun Also Rises. New York: Scribner, 1926. Print.

Ryan, Kay. The Best of It. New York: Grove, 2010. Print.

Wharton, Edith. The House of Mirth. 1905. New York: Random House, 1999. Print.

Wilson, August. Fences. New York: Plume, 1986. Print.