English 3830: American Literature to 1870
University of North Texas
Spring 2016
English 3830.002
TR 11:00am-12:20pm LANG 311
Dr. Anne Keefe
Email: [email protected]
Office: LANG 408A
Office Hours: TR 8:15-9:15 am
W 1-2 pm
REQUIRED COURSE TEXTS:
--The Norton Anthology Of American Literature. 8th Edition. Package 1: Vols. A and B (ISBN:
978-0393913095)
--Course Reader to be distributed in class (pdf also available on Blackboard)
BLACKBOARD:
Our course website is available via Blackboard by logging in with your UNT ID and password
at learn.unt.edu. Additional readings will be posted on Blackboard. You are responsible for
printing out these readings for use in class. Familiarize yourself with the folders and documents
available on this site. Powerpoint slides of lectures will be added at the end of each week. You
are responsible for the course content and any annoucements posted on Blackboard. (NOTE: if
you don’t check your UNT email regularly, please add an email address that you use regularly
to your Blackboard user profile so that you don’t miss annoucements or emails from your
instructors.)
ABSENCE POLICY:
Regular and punctual class attendance is required of all students, and a poor attendance record
may prevent students from earning a passing grade in the course for the semester.
Unexcused Absences:
Students are allowed a maximum of 4 unexcused absences during the semester. However,
these absences can result in missed grades for quizzes, assignments, exams, discussion
participation, or writing deadlines. Students should plan to “save” their allowance of unexcused
absences for illness, injury, family responsibilities, minor emergencies, car trouble, and so on.
Absences due to these typical causes are not authorized by the Department of English as
excusable absences (even with “official” notes from medical professionals, etc.).
The following actions may also result in a student being counted as officially absent:
• Showing up to class more than 10 minutes late
• Failing to attend a mandatory scheduled conference with the instructor
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Sleeping during class
Unauthorized use of electronic devices, wearing headphones (see me if you require
the use of a laptop for note-taking)
Working on outside materials for other classes
Repeatedly forgetting to bring textbooks to class
Disrupting class: Those disrupting class will be asked to leave. Actions considered
misconduct by the University may be found in the UNT Student Code of Conduct.
These include disruptions of teaching or research, acts of incivility, violence,
harassment, repeatedly talking out of turn or monopolizing class discussion, and
unauthorized use of electronic devices.
*ABSENCE MAKE-UP POLICY: You have the option of earning 1 extra unexcused
absence by attending one of the English Department’s Visiting Writer events and writing a
short response paper. These events will be annouced in class and on Blackboard.
Grade Penalty for Excessive Unexcused Absences: A student who exceeds 4 unexcused
absences will receive a grade penalty of 1 letter grade per excessive absence on his or her final
grade for the course (this penalty begins with the 5th unexcused absence).
Excused Absences:
1.
2.
3.
In extreme or special cases: Every once in awhile, a student encounters an extreme situation during the
semester such as serious illness or death in the immediate family, hospitalization, or other personal
emergency. In such cases the student should notify his/her instructors as soon as possible as well as make
an appointment with the Dean of Students. The Dean will then verify the seriousness of the situation, and
inform the student’s instructors that absences related to the event or situation can be excused.
For univeristy-sponsered activities: In accordance with university policy, the only authorized absences
are those incurred as a consequence of participating in university-sponsored activities. Authorized
absences must be approved in advance by department chairs and academic deans. Within three days
after the absence, the student must obtain an authorized absence card from the Dean of Students and
present this card in person to his or her instructor. Students with authorized absences may make up the
work missed or be given special allowance so that they are not penalized for the absence. All assignments
and scheduled work must be turned in before or on the date of the excused absence.
For religious holidays: In accordance with State law, students absent due to the observance of a religious
holiday may take examinations or complete assignments scheduled for the day missed within a reasonable
time after the absence. Travel time required for religious observances shall also be excused. Please see the
UNT Student Handbook for information on which holidays or holy days are covered by this policy. State
law also requires that students notify their teachers at the beginning of the semester if they expect to
miss class on a religious holyday during the semester but want to make up the work missed. Students
will be allowed to make up the work provided they have informed their teachers in writing within the
first 15 days of the semester. Once again, all assignments and scheduled work must be turned in before
the date of the excused absence. University policy requires that students provide their teachers with an
official notification card issued by the university if they want to make up any in-class work they missed
while they were involved in a religious activity authorized by the university.
ADA/ODA ACCOMMODATIONS:
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with
disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the office of disability
accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will
provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private
discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any
time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early in the semester as
possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a
new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior
to implementation in each class. For additional information see the office of disability
accommodation website at http://www.unt.edu/oda. You may also contact them by phone at
940.565.4323.
LATE/MISSING ASSIGNMENT POLICY:
Late assignments will be penalized one letter grade for each calendar day late after the due date. Quizzes and/or inclass exercises that count toward participation cannot be made up. NO LATE OR MISSING WORK WILL BE
ACCEPTED AFTER THE FINAL DAY OF CLASS.
PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
• Plagiarism is defined as the knowing or negligent use by paraphrase or direct quotation
of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear
acknowledgement.
• UNT defines the use of materials prepared by another person or agency (such as those
who sell term papers) as plagiarism.
• ALL writing in English courses must be original work (this includes drafts and
homework assignments), written only for this particular class.
• Plagiarism can lead to an F in the course and/or disciplinary procedures established by
the Administrative Office such as loss of scholarships or expulsion.
• Any acts of plagiarism in this class will be reported to the office of Academic Integrity,
which keeps a database of such reports during a student’s career at UNT.
For more information, please see: http://www.vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:
Weekly Reading Responses:
Each week you will turn in a short reading response (300-350 words, double-spaced) on one of
the assigned readings for that week. You can choose to focus your response on whatever topic
intrigues you in the reading, but your observations should be specific and should be supported
by specific quoted examples from the readings. These are informal reading response papers, but
not journal entries. As such, these should be proofread and coherent observations specifically
responding to the texts. Reading responses should be turned in via Blackboard Thursday by
11:59 pm. Exceptions: there are no reading responses due week 5 (close reading paper), week 8
(midterm exam), week 9 (spring break), or week 13 (analytical paper).
Close Reading Paper: This is a short (3-4 page) explication of a poem or prose passage
demonstrating your skills in close reading. You will be given a selection of texts to choose
from.
Analytical Paper: This is slightly longer, formal paper (4-6 pages) that will draw on course
readings and some library research. It will be expected that you use the correct vocabulary of
literary analysis that we will learn throughout the term when developing your analysis of your
chosen text.
All papers should be typed, double-spaced, 12 pt font with MLA margins, and will be submitted
online through Blackboard. Specific paper requirements will be handed out several weeks in
advance and you are welcome and encouraged to discuss paper ideas in office hours.
EXAMS:
The midterm and final exams will consist of quotation identification, short answer, and essay
questions covering key texts, authors, and concepts from the course. The midterm exam will
cover authors and concepts we have covered in the first half of the course (Volume A). The
final exam will cover authors in the second half of the course (Volume B), as well as overall
concepts developed throughout the semester.
CLASS PARTICIPATION:
Your participation grade will be determined at the end of the semester. This grading category
represents your work in class participation including in-class activities, reading quizzes,
discussions, and level of preparedness for class.
FINAL GRADES
Weekly Reading Responses
Participation
Midterm Exam
Close Reading Paper
Analytical Paper
Final Exam
TOTAL:
A
B
C
D
F
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0-59
10%
15%
20%
15%
20%
20%
100%
SCHEDULE OF READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS
DATE
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENTS DUE
Week 1
TUESDAY
January 19
THURSDAY
January 21
Course Welcome and Overview
Syllabus and Policies
•
Francis Scott Key, “The Defense of Fort McHenry” and
Emma Lazurus, “The New Colossus” (handouts)
Introduction
Native American Creation Stories
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Intro. and Timeline, Norton Vol. A: 3-20
Stories of the Beginning of the World, Norton, Vol. A: 21-34
N. Scott Momaday, “The Native Voice” (reader)
DUE: Reading Response via BB (on any of the readings from
this week) by 11:59 pm
Week 2
TUESDAY
January 26
“Discovery”:
Christopher Columbus and
Bartolomé de las Casas
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Christopher Columbus and Bartolomé de las Casas, Norton,
Vol. A: 34-42
The Oatmeal (online cartoon), “Columbus Was Awful But
This Other Guy Was Not” at
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/columbus_day
Blog post, “No, This is not Bartolomé Day” at
http://coyot.es/crossing/2013/10/14/no-this-is-not-bartolomeday/
Winnebago, Sioux, and Navajo Trickster Tales; Norton Vol.
A: 100-120
Watch the Online Video Lecture: Joseph Campbell,
“Mythology of the Trickster” at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM10AvJ3bsM
DUE: Reading Response via BB (Because we won’t have
class discussion, please focus your response for this week on
the Native American Trickster Tales) by 11:59 pm
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THURSDAY
January 28
NO CLASS SESSION
Instructor on medical leave
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•
Week 3
TUESDAY
February 2
Independent Reading and Video
Lecture: Native American
Trickster Tales
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NO CLASS SESSION
Instructor on medical leave
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Independent Reading and Media
Library Visit: Literature of
Settlement and First Encounters
THURSDAY
February 4
Week 4
TUESDAY
February 9
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•
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NO CLASS SESSION
Instructor on medical leave
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Independent Reading and Media
Library Visit: Literature of
Settlement and First Encounters
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Plymouth Plantation
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Early European Accounts of Native America, Norton A: 5254
Bradford and Winslow, “Mourt’s Relation,” Norton A: 71-75
Underhill, “News from America,” Norton A: 75-81
John Smith, Norton A: 81-99
Sacvan Bercovitch, “The Puritan Vision of the New World”
(reader)
DVD: We Shall Remain, Episode 1 “After the Mayflower”à
plan to visit the Media Library in Chilton Hall Room 111 to
screen this DVD (Media Library hours can be found here:
http://www.library.unt.edu/media-library). You will need your
UNT ID and the call number of the DVD (10222); it will be
on reserve at the front desk. Bring a notebook to take notes in
and plan to stay in the library to watch the DVD there (the
episode is about 90 minutes long).
DUE: Reading Response via BB (Please focus your response
on drawing connections between the DVD and the readings
for this week) by 11:59 pm
William Bradford, Norton A: 121-138
Bruce Kuklick, “Calvinism and Jonathan Edwards”—read the
first section titled “Calvinists in America” (reader)
THURSDAY
February 11
Massachusetts Bay Colony
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Week 5
TUESDAY
February 16
Anne Bradstreet
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THURSDAY
February 18
Sarah Kimble Knight
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John Winthrop, “A Model of Christian Charity,” Norton A:
165-77
The Bay Psalm Book, Norton Vol. A: 186-192
John Cotton, from “Preface to The Bay Psalm Book” (reader)
DUE: Reading Response via BB (on any of the readings from
this week) by 11:59 pm
Norton Vol. A: 207-238, focus on “The Author to Her Book,”
“To My Dear and Loving Husband,” “For Deliverance from a
Fever,” “Here Follow Some Verses upon the Burning of Our
House,” “As a Weary Pilgrim,” and the letter “To My Dear
Children”
from The Private Journal of A Journey from Boston to New
York, Norton A:379-390
DUE: CLOSE READING PAPER by 11:59 pm via BB
Week 6
TUESDAY
February 23
Transition to Enlightenment
Thinking
•
•
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1700-1820 Introduction, Norton A: 365-378
“What is Enlightenment” (reader)
Jonathan Edwards, from Personal Narrative and “Sinners in
the Hand of an Angry God,” Norton A: 396-409 and 430-441
THURSDAY
February 25
Revolution
•
Thomas Philbrick, “The American Revolution as a Literary
Event” (reader)
Joyce E. Chaplin, “The Silence Dogood Letters” (reader)
Benjamin Franklin, selected Silence Dogood letters (reader)
Benjamin Franklin, Intro. and “Remarks Concerning the
Savages of North America,” Norton A: 455-57 and 476-80
DUE: Reading Response via BB (on any of the readings from
this week) by 11:59 pm
•
•
•
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Week 7
TUESDAY
March 1
American Neoclassicism
•
•
Phillis Wheatley, Norton A: 762-774
Philip Freneau, Norton A: 756-762
THURSDAY
March 3
Exam Review
•
DUE: Reading Response via BB (on any of the readings from
this week) by 11:59 pm
Week 8
TUESDAY
March 8
Midterm Exam Part 1: Multiple
Choice and Short Answer
THURSDAY
March 10
Midterm Exam Part 2: Essay
Questions
Week 9
TUESDAY
March 15
THURSDAY
March 17
SPRING BREAK
No class session
SPRING BREAK
No class session
Week 10
TUESDAY
March 22
American Gothic
THURSDAY
March 24
Lydia Maria Child
Week 11
TUESDAY
March 29
THURSDAY
March 31
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•
Introduction, Norton B: 3-24
William Cullen Bryant, Norton B: 121-129
Edgar Allen Poe, Poems, Norton B: 629-44
Poe, “The Poetic Principle,” Norton B: 728-29
Poe, “Philosophy of Composition,” Norton B: 719-27
The Quadroons, Norton B: 180-190
Letters from New York, Norton B: 190-210
DUE: Reading Response via BB (on any of the readings from
this week) by 11:59 pm
Transcendentalism: Ralph Waldo
Emerson
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“Nature,” Norton B: 211-43
“Self-Reliance,” Norton B: 269-286
Transcendentalism: Henry David
Thoreau
•
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“Resistance to Civil Government,” Norton B: 961-979
Walden, Ch. 1 “Economy,” Norton B: 981-991, Ch.16. “The
Pond in Winter,” Norton B: 1127-1136 and Ch. 18
“Conclusion,” Norton B: 1147-1155
DUE: Reading Response via BB (on any of the readings from
this week) by 11:59 pm
•
Week 12
TUESDAY
April 5
THURSDAY
April 7
Nathaniel Hawthorne
•
“Young Goodman Brown,” Norton B: 369-73 and 386-395
Slavery and Scientific Racism
•
Jefferson, from Notes on the State of Virginia, Norton B: 787792
Walker, from Appeal in Four Articles, Norton B: 792-795
DUE: Reading Response via BB (on any of the readings from
this week) by 11:59 pm
•
•
Week 13
TUESDAY
April 12
Slave Narratives
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Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in the Life…, Norton B: 920-942
THURSDAY
April 14
Slave Narratives
•
Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life…, Norton B: 11701204
DUE: ANALYTICAL PAPER via BB by 11:59 pm
•
Week 14
TUESDAY
April 19
Slave Narratives
•
Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life…, Norton B: 12041239
THURSDAY
April 21
Walt Whitman
•
•
Preface to Leaves of Grass, Norton B: 1310-1329
“Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” and “Out of the Cradle Endlessly
Rocking,” B: 1383-1392
DUE: Reading Response via BB (on any of the readings from
this week) by 11:59 pm
•
Week 15
TUESDAY
Apirl 26
Walt Whitman
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Song of Myself, Norton B: 1330-1374
THURSDAY
April 28
Emily Dickinson
•
Norton B: 1659-1704, focus on poems #112, 124, 260, 269,
320, 339, 340, 372, 409, 466, 479, 591, 764, 935, 1096, and
the letters to Higginson (pp. 1703-4)
DUE: Reading Response via BB (on any of the readings from
this week) by 11:59 pm
•
Week 16
TUESDAY
May 3
Herman Melville
•
“Bartleby, The Scrivener,” Norton B: 1424-27 and 1483-1509
THURSDAY
May 5
Exam Review
•
DUE: Reading Response via BB (on any of the readings from
this week) by 11:59 pm
Exam Week
TUESDAY
MAY 10
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
FINAL EXAM in our regular classroom