ENGLISH 2131
Dr. Marsha Mathews
AMERICAN LITERATURE II
Updated 9/20/16
SECTION 01
SPRING 2016
My office is in LIA 212 Liberal Arts Building
[email protected]
Phone: 272-4502
OFFICE HOURS
Monday
12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday
9:20 - 10:20 a.m. and 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Thursday
9:20 – 10:20 a.m. and 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
MEETING TIME AND PLACE
Tuesdays and Thursdays/ 10:50-12:05 – a.m. in Liberal Arts Building, Room 102.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
TEXTBOOK Nina Baym, ed., The Norton Anthology of American Literature Shorter Eighth
Edition, Vol. 2, 1865-the Present. ISBN 978-0-393-91887-8
blue or black pen and notebook for note-taking
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RECOMMENDED MATERIALS
The purchase of one additional book, a novel or poetry collection is expected.
A college dictionary
The Harbrace Handbook and a freshman literature anthology are also useful references.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite: English 1102
English 2131 is a chronological study of American literature from the late 1800s through the
twentieth century. Prose, drama, and poetry are read and discussed from historical, cultural, and
aesthetic perspectives. Course activities may include readings, lectures, audio-visual
presentations, discussion, research, essays, and tests. However, the course is first of all a readings
course, so literal understanding, together with analysis and discussion of historical context, is its
aim. Because English 2131 follows a required freshman English sequence, the student is
expected to have mastered the fundamentals of grammar, mechanics, and composition, as well as
literary analysis, terminology, research, documentation, and close reading.
Notice
During the time period covered in this course, American society was at times sexist, racist, and
xenophobic. The readings for this course will reflect these characteristics. If you feel that you
will find the readings offensive, you should consider taking a different course.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Students completing English 1102 should be able to: (1)
determine forms of communication appropriate to particular audiences and purposes, organize
and communicate knowledge and ideas in a logical and purposeful way, and use accepted
patterns of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure in written communication; (2) use
technology and gather data to conduct research from various sources, including electronic media,
and demonstrate an understanding of plagiarism by acknowledging and citing informational
sources correctly; (3) analyze, evaluate, and provide convincing reasons in support of
conclusions and arguments; and (4) demonstrate an ability to evaluate observations, inferences,
or relationships in works under investigation.
CLASS ACTIVITIES Students participate in learning activities such as (1) planning, writing,
and revising analytical essays; (2) doing exercises as needed to correct errors in writing; (3)
discussing, prior to revising, errors in current essay requirements; (4) discussing literary
selections; (5) discussing research facilities and working on research projects; (6) taking quizzes
to demonstrate mastery of the assessment goals of the course.
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COURSE GRADE Grades for the class will be based on two exams (20% each), one out-of-class
critical essay (20%), one reader response essay (20%), quizzes, leadership and participation, and
a 5-minute oral presentation on a novel or poetry collection read outside of class (20%) and
attendance and participation.
After successfully completing English 2131, students should be conversant with the major
literary themes of American literature, as evidenced through class discussions, tests, and essays.
The student will also be able to compare and contrast works, authors, themes, and periods
covered.
LATE WORK/MAKE-UP POLICY Papers must be turned in on time. Late papers receive a
minimum of a ten-point deduction. No papers sent through email will be accepted unless the
instructor has made prior arrangements with a student who is experiencing extreme conditions,
such as hospitalization or is on military training.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Plagiarism is a violation of academic honesty and a serious offense.
It is defined as presenting someone else’s words or ideas, in part or whole, as one’s own.
Copying, paraphrasing, summarizing, or otherwise borrowing someone else’s work without
proper citation constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism is not defined by “intent.” If a student claims
he or she didn’t “mean” to plagiarize or “know” what plagiarism is, the student is still liable to
severe disciplinary measures, which may include a failing grade for the course.
SUBMISSION NOTICE To deter plagiarism, students may be asked to present both hard copies
and electronic copies of their essays. Students refusing to comply will receive a zero for this
assignment.
CAVEAT An essay submitted after its due date or to replace an unsatisfactory or incomplete
submission cannot receive a grade any higher than a C.
ATTENDANCE POLICY Students with more than four absences can make no higher than a B
in the course. Students with more than six absences can make no higher than a C in the course.
Tardies: Three tardies and/or early leaves count as one absence. Students are responsible for
notifying the instructor that they have come in late so that the absence is changed to a tardy on
the record. Tardies must be changed from an absence on the same day of occurrence.
Early Leaves: Students must inform the instructor in advance when they must leave more than
ten minutes early.
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Students who miss only one class or who miss no class all semester are rewarded with the option
to take or not take the Final Exam, provided they have a 70 course average at the end of the
semester.
OFFICIALLY APPROVED ABSENCES Students are excused from class without penalty when
they are off campus representing Dalton State College in an approved, official capacity. To be
excused, the student in such cases needs to give notice prior to the date when he or she is to be
absent from class. Student athletes should submit a schedule of away events at the beginning of
the semester or as soon as possible after a schedule is available. They should also provide an
estimated time of departure from and return to campus for each event. If a student has an away
game in the evening and is not leaving campus until 3:00, he or she is not excused from class
prior to that time on that day; similarly, if the event is in the morning and the student is returning
to campus during the day, he or she is expected to attend class after the return trip. A student
missing class for an officially approved event must provide a way for the instructor to contact the
person or organization sponsoring or authorizing the student’s participation in the event.
Students missing class for officially approved reasons should make arrangements with the
instructor to make up any assignments, tests, or presentations that are scheduled on the respective
dates. It is encouraged that students complete assignments prior to missing class. Students shall
be allowed to make up any work missed during the time they are off campus representing DSC
in an official capacity. They shall discuss what will be missed with the instructor and make
arrangements to make up any assignments, tests, presentations, etc. that were scheduled on that
date.
EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN If the college closes for inclement weather or other
prohibitive conditions, students should complete the respective readings assigned on the course
calendar below and consult their email for additional assignments, activities, or revised due
dates. If loss of power prevents email communication, students should write a one-page
summary of each assigned reading and bring this written work to the next class. Compensatory
make-up days may be required if the total number of days lost exceeds the equivalent of one
week of class time.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY Students wishing to withdraw from the course may do so without
penalty until the mid-point of the semester and receive a grade of W. After that point, withdrawal
without penalty is permitted only in cases of extreme hardship as determined by the Vice
President for Academic Affairs; otherwise a grade of WF is issued. (Note: At Dalton State
College, the Hardship Withdrawal process requires students to withdraw from all classes at the
college.) The last day to drop classes without penalty is Tuesday, October 25th.
COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL STATEMENT: REVISED JULY 13, 2016 “The proper form for
withdrawing from all classes at the college after the official drop/add period but before the
published withdrawal date is the Schedule Adjustment Form. All students must meet with a staff
member at the Dean of Students office in the upper level Pope Student Center to initiate the
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withdrawal process and complete an exit interview. After meeting with the staff member,
students will then finalize the withdrawal process in the Enrollment Services Office.”
ETHICAL CONDUCT: (August 2016) Academic Dishonesty: Cheating and plagiarism are a
part of the Dalton State Student Code of Conduct, which can be found in its most updated form
at https://www.daltonstate.edu/campus_life/code-of-conduct.cms. ANY assistance provided or
given in any way toward work in a class constitutes cheating, unless such behavior is authorized
by your instructor. Additionally, any use of the ideas or words of others should be noted, or this
will constitute plagiarism. Borrowing another students’ work or collaborating on an assignment
not designated as collaborative is unacceptable. Furthermore, presenting work that was
completed for another class, while not plagiarism technically, is not the same as presenting
original work, and is therefore unacceptable. For more details on what Dalton State considers to
be Academic Dishonesty, please review the Student Code of Conduct. Instructors will assign
grades based on classroom performance. Additional sanctions may be provided as a learning
experience from the Student Conduct process.
Classroom Behavior: Dalton State is committed to respect via the Roadrunner Respect pledge.
To learn more, please visit https://www.daltonstate.edu/campus_life/respect-photo-gallery.cms.“I
pledge to show my fellow Roadrunner students, faculty, staff, and administration respect by
treating others the way they want to be treated and by thinking about others first before making
decisions that might affect them.”
PHONE and OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY Students may not have phones or
other distracting electronic devices on or visible during class without the instructor’s permission.
Students expecting an emergency call, such as from a hospital, may approach the instructor prior
to class to explain the problem and ask permission to keep the phone on in vibrate mode.
Students should silence and conceal cellular devices, or any other noise makers or distractions,
upon entering the classroom and refrain from distracting activities during class, such as sending
or reading text messages. Unless otherwise informed, students are forbidden to use personal
computers or other electronic devices during class or to record lectures electronically. A student
who violates the behavior policy may be marked absent on the day or days of violation.
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES: REVISED JULY 13, 2016 Students with disabilities or
special needs are encouraged to contact the Disability Access office. In order to make an
appointment or to obtain information on the process for qualifying for accommodations, the
student should visit the Disability Access Library Guide at
http://libguides.daltonstate.edu/c.php?g=24716&p=149667 or contact the Disability Access
office. Contact information: Andrea Roberson, Associate Director of Disability Access and
Student Support Services Pope Student Center, upper level706/272-2524
[email protected]
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TITLE IX INFORMATION: REVISED JULY 13, 2016 Sex Discrimination, Harassment, &
Assault. Sexual harassment is unwelcome, gender-based verbal or physical conduct
that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it has the effect of interfering
with, denying or limiting someone’s ability to participate in or benefit from the
college’s educational program and/or activities, and is based on power differential
(quid pro quo), the creation of a hostile environment, or retaliation.
Sexual misconduct is a form of sexual harassment prohibited by Title IX. Sexual
misconduct refers to “physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where
a person is incapable of giving consent due to the victim’s use of drugs or alcohol. An
individual also may be unable to give consent due to an intellectual or other
disability.” Sexual misconduct includes dating violence, domestic violence, rape,
sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, and sexual coercion.
Reporting Options
Call 911 if you are in an emergency situation Dalton State Public Safety (this report is
not confidential) Health Professions Building- Upper Level - 706-272-4461 Online
Sexual Assault Report https://dynamicforms.ngwebsolutions.com/ShowForm.aspx?RequestedDynamicForm
Template=3fe5724c-a8bd-4a31-9c25-1a3d35110a51
If you would like to report to Dalton State Administration: (this report is not
confidential)
Report Title IX complaint online - https://www.daltonstate.edu/campus_life/studentconduct-about.cms
Report Student-on-Student Title IX complaint in person:
Brittnie Lee, Dean of Students Office Assistant Director, Student Conduct/ Deputy
Title IX Coordinator Pope 237 [email protected], 706-272-2999
Report Title IX complaint involving Faculty or Staff in person: Lori McCarty, Human
Resources Director of Human Resource/ Title IX Coordinator Memorial 122
[email protected] 706-272-2034
If you would like to speak with a professional counselor confidentially: Dalton State
Counseling Center 706-272-4430 [email protected]
Dr. Marsha Mathews
ENGL 2131 -01
Fall 2016
Revised 8/9/2016
Tentative Schedule of Assignments
*This course plan is subject to change to accommodate the class’s progress.
To succeed in this class: Read the assignments listed on the syllabus before coming to
class. Skim back over the story just before class discussion. Carefully read the textbook
assignments relating to biography and historical milieu because your work and your
grade will ultimately reflect your understanding of this material.
Keep in mind that we may get a little ahead or behind on the syllabus. This allows for
some fluidity in tapering the course to meet the needs of each individual class. Some
classes are large and others small. Smaller classes generally move more quickly through
the material. Ask questions in class. Participate! Keep your phone off and put away.
Come to me if you feel you are getting behind or if you need individual help in
understanding a concept or in planning a paper. If you feel you are not yet capable
enough with grammatical or research skills, the Writing Lab, 315 LIA, is ready to help
you to learn. See me if you feel overwhelmed.
Tuesday, August 16
Thursday, August 18
Welcome to American Literature II!
Timeline
page 17
Outside of class, read Walt Whitman
“Song of Myself”
page 20
page 24
Explanation of the Alternate Assignment and Review
Discuss Whitman and his work
Outside of Class, read Emily Dickinson
Poems 236, 260, 269, 479, 591, 656, 1263
Tuesday, August 23
Understanding Dickinson and her work
Outside of class, read Mark Twain
“The Notorious Jumping Frog . . .
Thursday, August 25
page 79
Quiz on Twain
page 98
page 101
Page 2
Outside of class, read Kate Chopin
“Desiree’s Baby”
Tuesday, August 30
Change of Venue – Poetry Reading at Starline Books,
1467 S. Market Street, Chattanooga. Please support your local
artists and writers.
Read Mary Wilkins Freeman
Thursday, September 1
page 420
page 421
page 437
Understanding Chopin and her work
“Revolt of Mother” Film (60 min.)
Tuesday, September 6
Understanding Mary Wilkins Freeman and her work
Read Abraham Cahan
“A Sweat-Shop Romance”
Thursday, September 8
page 473
page 475
Annotate and Analyze
In-Class Writing (a dictionary may be used if it’s your own but
no electronic devices may be used on this assignment, except for
by instructor approval)
Outside of class, read “Realism and Naturalism
Henry James and “The Art of Fiction”
Tuesday, September 13
Realism and Naturalism and What these Terms Mean
Outside of class, read Theodore Dreiser
“True Art Speaks Plainly” AND
Jack London
“What Life Means to Me”
Thursday, September 15
page 562
page 563
Novel Selections Due
Outside of class, read “American Lit 1914-1945
Robert Frost, “Mending Wall,” “Out—Out—“
Tuesday, September 20
page 548
page 554
page 653
page 727
Understanding Robert Frost and his work
Outside of class, read Susan Glaspell”
page 742
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Thursday, September 22
Susan Glaspell’s Trifles,
In-Class Reading
742
Outside of class, read Zora Neale Hurston
“How it Feels to be Colored Me”
page 939
page 940
Tuesday, September 27
Understanding Zora Neale Hurston
Thursday, September 29
500-word Literary Paper Assigned, MLA Primary Sources
Outside of class, read ee cummings
“in Just-“
“anyone lived in a pretty how town”
Tuesday, October 4
Understanding ee cummings and his work
Thursday, October 6
Mid-Term Exam
Outside of class, read Langston Hughes
“The Negro Speaks of Rivers”
“I, Too”
“The Weary Blues”
Tuesday, October 11
FALL BREAK
Thursday, October 13
Understanding Langston Hughes and his work
page 951
page 953
page 957
page 1037
page 1038
page 1039
page 1040
Hughes’ Dream Harlem (61 min.)
Outside of class, read “American Lit since 1945”
Tennessee Williams
Assign Parts for A Streetcar Named Desire
Tuesday, October 18
Dramatic Reading of A Streetcar Named Desire
Thursday, October 20
Tennessee Williams – a reflective response
Outside of class, read Gwendolyn Brooks
“We Real Cool”
page 1071
page 1113
page 1116
page 1309
page 1312
Page 4
Tuesday, October 25
Last Day to Drop Course without academic penalty
Understanding Gwendolyn Brooks and her work
Outside of class, read Flannery O’Connor
“Good Country People
Thursday, October 27
page 1339
page 1340
Understanding Flannery O’Connor
Flannery O’Connor bio – DVD video (21 min.)
Outside of class, read Toni Morrison
“Recitatif”
Tuesday, November 1
Understanding Toni Morrison
Outside of class, read Martin Luther King, Jr.
“I Have a Dream”
Thursday, November 3
Thursday, November 10
page 1463
Understanding Momaday
Outside of class, read Lucille Clifton
“miss rosie”
“homage to my hips”
page 1477
page 1479
page 1480
Outside of class, read Art Spiegelman
From Maus
page 1550
page 1552
Figuring Out Spiegelman and his work
Out of class, read Louise Erdrich
“I Was Sleeping Where the Black Oaks Move”
“Fleur”
Tuesday, November 15
page 1393
page 1395
Audio and Response
Outside of class, read N. Scott Momaday
“The Way to Rainy Mountain” through XVII
Tuesday, November 8
page 1401
page 1403
Understanding Erdrich and her work
page 1595
page 1598
page 1599
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Tuesday, November 22
Out of class, read Cathy Song
“The White Porch”
And Edwidge Danticat
page 1608
page 1609
page 1643
Understanding Cathy Song and her work
Class Reading From Brother, I’m Dying
page 1643
Outside of Class, read Jhumpa Lahiri
“Sexy”
Thursday, November 24
Thanksgiving Holiday
Tuesday, November 29
Jhumpa Lahir and her work
Thursday, December 1
Final Class Meeting before Final Exam
Tuesday, December 6th, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Gwendolyn Brooks
page 1649
page 1650
FINAL EXAM