ENGL 324C 20th

ENGL 324C 20th-Century American Novel (Spring 2006)

Dr. John Bird

Office: 240 Bancroft

Phone: 323-3679

e-mail: birdj@winthrop.edu

birdj@access1.net

Office Hours:

MTWR 2:00-3:30 pm

or by appointment

DESCRIPTION:

A study of the American novel in the 20^th century, focusing on historical backgrounds, cultural contexts, critical approaches, themes, philosophy, and style. The organizing theme for the course is the American family.

GOALS:

A. Content Knowledge: The student will demonstrate knowledge of . . .

C various forms of written texts

C major periods in the history of American literature in terms of cultural contexts, style, dominant genres, language, and subject matter

C the standard terminology of literary analysis

C various critical approaches

C writers from different cultural, ethnic, and minority backgrounds

B. Analytical and Interpretive Skills: The student will critically analyze and interpret texts in terms of . . .

C historical period, national origin and characteristics, content, and cultural, ethnic, or minority background of the writer

C style, tone, implied meaning, humor, and structure

C language, themes, genre, and rhetorical strategies

C critical approaches

C. Communication Skills: The student will . . .

C write thoughtful, well-organized, and stylistically mature essays conforming to standards of grammar, mechanics, and usage generally accepted in the academic community

C write research papers on appropriate literature topics, demonstrating correct use of standard reference tools and methods of primary and secondary sources and providing proper documentation of sources

C present information in clear standard English

C construct persuasive arguments based on careful analysis and deliberation and using a voice and format suitable for the intended audience

REQUIREMENTS:

< keep up with all reading

< attendance and participation

< midterm (15%)

< final exam (15%)

< three 4-6 pp. papers (20% each)

< online discussion group/group journal (10%)

ATTENDANCE: I will follow the Winthrop attendance policy, which means that seven or more absences for any reason will result in an automatic grade of A F@ for the course. Except for emergencies, you should never miss any classes, but if you find that you must miss, please let me know, beforehand if possible. Penalty for more than two absences.

TEXTS:

Sherwood Anderson, Winesburg, Ohio

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises

William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury

Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God

John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath

J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

John Irving, The World According to Garp

Toni Morrison, Beloved

SYLLABUS (students are responsible for any changes):

JANUARY
9 M	Introduction
11 W	Sherwood Anderson, Winesburg, Ohio
16 M	No ClassB Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
18 W	Sherwood Anderson, Winesburg, Ohio
23 M	F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
25 W	F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
30 M	F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
FEBRUARY
1 W	Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises
6 M	Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises
8 W	Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises
10 F	Paper due by 4:00 pm in my office
13 M	William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury
15 W	William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury
20 M	William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury
22W	William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury
27 M	Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God
MARCH
1 W	Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God
3 F	Midterm exam due in my office by noon
6 M	John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath
8 W	John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath
13 M -17 F	Spring Break
20 M	John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath
22 W	J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye
24 F	Paper due by 4:00 pm in my office
27 M	J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye
29 W	John Irving, The World According to Garp
APRIL
3 M	John Irving, The World According to Garp
5 W	John Irving, The World According to Garp
10 M	John Irving, The World According to Garp
12 W	Toni Morrison, Beloved
17 M	Toni Morrison, Beloved
19 W	Toni Morrison, Beloved
21 F	Paper due by 4:00 pm in my office
24 M	Last ClassB Conclusions
25 T	Study Day
26 W	Final Exam