Course Description & Student Responsibilities

American Literature is best studied with an awareness of the historical and cultural currents that individual texts reflect and often "argue" with. In other words, I think it's important to introduce non-literary material into my American Literature courses in order to bring students closer to the forces that our assigned texts respond to. Especially in the early stages of colonial literature, the writers we discuss all seem to be addressing very specific issues that compel them to explain themselves. This idea of dialog is important to my view of American Literature and also to how I teach it. Some authors we read define the very values that we live by, yet other authors often "speak back" to the ideas and values and political/cultural forces of their time. And sometimes authors "speak back" to the writers who have come before them. What's more, I expect you as readers to engage in a thoughtful discussion with the texts you read. There's no reason to hold writers in awe. Feel free to disagree with a given text and to give voice to your objections in class. In my class presentations I try to offer an ongoing dialog with the texts we read: explaining, praising, complaining, trying to understand, experimenting with possible interpretations-- and, yes admitting my own uncertainty about what a text means. I like to think of my classes as "interruptible lectures" in which there is always room for your questions and comments.

        Here are some things to keep in mind:

1) At the beginning of each week, you should have already completed that week's assigned reading. It is very useful to read the introductory pages for each author as well.

  

2) Try to attend all classes. More than five class hours of absences are considered excessive and will lead to a reduction of your final grade.

 

 3) If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get notes and any assignments from one of your classmates. If some problem arises that causes you to miss several classes, you must contact me by phone or e-mail.

Written Work

 

4) Essays must be submitted on time. LATE WORK WILL LOSE CREDIT!

 

5) Take pride in your written work. Type your essays. Double space ; no crazy fonts.

6) No Email submissions, please.

7) Make sure you save a copy of all work that you submit to me.

8) Mere summary of texts is not likely to earn you a good grade.

9) Give thought to how you organize your essay. Your insights should be supported by citing specific passages from the texts in question.

   

10) Proofread your essay and give attention to spelling, grammar, and diction. Sloppy essays will receive low grades.

11) Some of you may benefit from seeking writing help at the Open Writing Lab. If you are a new transfer student or if you are unsure whether your writing is satisfactory, please share your concerns with me early in the semester.

 

12) It is my responsibility to read your essays carefully and promptly.

Rewriting

13) In some cases I may ask you t o rewrite your paper. When you rewrite an essay, your grade will be the a verage of the grades you receive on each version.

 

14) Others of you may read through my comments and choose to rewrite your paper just because you want to improve. All students are entitled to rewrite their essays if they choose to do so.