|
English 5575—American Literature since 1914
Syllabus
Schedule
Assignments
Extras
|
| 63491-001 |
|
English 5575—American Literature since 1914 |
John D. Schwetman |
| 4 credits |
jschwetm@d.umn.edu / tel. 726-7580 |
| Humanities 490 |
Humanities 407 |
| Tuesday, Thursday 4-5:50pm |
Office Hours: Tuesday 2-3pm |
| <http://www.d.umn.edu/~jschwetm/spring2004/engl5575/> |
and Wednesday 4-5pm |
Course Objective
At the end of this semester, students should be able to present clear, analytical arguments interpreting and evaluating works of literature since 1914 and have an understanding of critical models that apply to literary study.
Expectations
To accomplish the above objective, students should . . .
. . . show up to class on time and ready to discuss the reading assigned for that day. Excessive absences will have a negative impact on your grade. By the way, please turn off cell phones before entering the classroom. Ringing cell phones are disruptive.
. . . write clear, persuasive analyses of works of literature in the exams and the research paper. Careful revision and proofreading of drafts will be necessary to do well on the paper.
. . . bring a complete draft of the research paper to class on the allotted peer-editing day.
. . . ask questions and comment in class discussions.
Requirements
Midterm Exam—addressing issues from the first part of the semester and serving as a springboard for the research paper. (on February 19th)
Final Exam—cumulative with an emphasis on issues from the second part of the semester. (on May 14th)
Research Paper—a minimum of 10 typed, double-spaced pages of literary analysis citing at least 5 different secondary sources a maximum 30% of which can be obtained from the Internet. It must adhere to the MLA documentation style. With further revision, this paper can fulfill the research paper requirement for your English Portfolio.* (due on May 6th)
Peer Editing—in class before the paper is due. (on April 29th)
Participation—participation in group discussions, attendance, etc.
|
*Remember that, should you revise this for the Portfolio research paper, it must:
- be a minimum of 12 (typed, double-spaced) pages
- cite at least 7 different secondary sources (a maximum 30% of which can be obtained from the Internet-this exclusion does not apply to full-text articles from refereed journals accessed through JSTOR or other Internet databases)
- demonstrate mastery of MLA format.
|
Grade Breakdown
| Midterm | 20% |
| Final | 30% |
| Research Paper | 40% |
| Participation | 10% |
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, are encouraged to 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 the Kirby Student Center and on the web at <http://www.d.umn.edu/access>.
Required Readings
Albee, Edward. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? New York: Signet, 1982.
Faulkner, William. Absalom, Absalom!. New York: Random House, 1991.
Erdrich, Louise. Love Medicine. New York: HarperCollins, 1993.
Morrison, Toni. Sula. New York: Plume, 1982.
O'Connor, Flannery. A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Other Stories. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1977.
Pinsky, Robert. Jersey Rain. New York: Farrar, Strauss, Giroux, 2001.
Stevens, Wallace. Collected Poems. New York: Knopf, 1989.
West, Nathanael. Miss Lonelyhearts. New York: New Directions, 1976.
|