The novel is the epic of an age in which the extensive totality of life is no longer directly given, in which the immanence of meaning in life has become a problem, yet which still thinks in terms of totality. It would be superficial-a matter of a mere artistic technicality-to look for the only and decisive genre-defining criterion in the question of whether a work is written in verse or prose. (Georg Lukács, The Theory of the Novel, Trans. Anna Bostock, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1971, p. 56)

Course Objective

At the end of this semester, students should be able to present clear, analytical arguments interpreting and evaluating American novels from after 1914. Students will also learn about the history of the novel as a genre and various critical approaches to the novel.

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.

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. . . write clear, persuasive analyses of assigned novels 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 offer comments in class discussions.

Requirements

1. Midterm Exam-addressing issues from the first part of the semester and serving as a springboard for the research paper. (on February 29th)

2. Final Exam-cumulative with an emphasis on issues from the second part of the semester. (on May 12th)

3. 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 5th)

4. Peer Editing-in class before the paper is due. (on April 28th)

5. Participation-participation in group discussions, attendance, etc.

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.

If you turn a paper in late, your paper will receive a deduction of 1/3 of a letter grade for each business day that it is late. Students who miss exams may not make them up without a valid excuse for the absence. Valid excuses include health emergencies, 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, honest, 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/assl/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, 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

Faulkner, William. Absalom, Absalom! 1936. New York: Random House, 1990.

Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. 1937. New York: HarperPerennial, 2006.

Kingston, Maxine Hong. The Woman Warrior. 1976. New York: Vintage, 1989.

McCarthy, Cormac. The Road. New York: Knopf, 2006.

Reed, Ishmael. Mumbo Jumbo. New York: Scribner, 1972.

Spiegelman, Art. Maus I: My Father Bleeds History. New York: Pantheon, 1986.

West, Nathanael. Miss Lonelyhearts. 1939. New York: New Directions, 1962.

I will provide a list of supplementary readings in a later addendum to this syllabus.