Professor Kelly L. Richardson                            Email: richardsonk@winthrop.edu

Bancroft 232                                                         Website: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/richardsonk

Office Phone: 323-4644                                 

GENERAL GOALS

In his 1782 Letters from an American Farmer, J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur asks the question, “What is an American?”  By extension, we will be seeking to answer the question: “What is American Literature?” In this class, we will examine the work of major canonical authors.  Moreover, we will trace recurrent issues such as the following: the relationship of the land and national identity, the role of community in an individualistic nation, the tension between exploring the frontier and establishing permanent cities, the consequences of limiting democracy to certain groups, the influence of technology and urbanization, and the very purpose of art itself.  Overall, this course will introduce you to several authors and also challenge you to consider how these authors reflect and have developed a sense of American identity.

Syllabus Change Policy:  Changes to the syllabus and calendar will be announced in class and posted to the online version at the class website found on my webpage: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/richardsonk. Please note that the online versions are  the most up-to-date one and will be the one to resolve any questions or issues.

Texts

·         Baym, Nina, et al. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Shorter 7^th ed. New York: Norton, 2008. Print.

·         A literature handbook, such as Harmon and Holman’s A Handbook to Literature, is highly recommended. 

Catalog Description: Study of the major periods, literary forms, and issues that characterize American literature, with a consideration of representative major works and authors over the course of American literary history. Prerequisite(s): WRIT 101.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 

By the end of the semester, students will be able to 

·        Identify the variety and development of literary forms and themes in selected works of American literature from its beginning through postmodernism. 

·        Describe how the selected literature reflects and reinforces key historical ideas and concepts. 

·        Demonstrate their ability to read critically and to write analytically about literature through successful completion of tests and essays. 

·        Apply the skills of literary research, including MLA documentation and research sources.

 ·        Incorporate appropriate literary terminology in discussions of assigned literary works. 

·        Recognize literature as a source of insight and wonder.

Course Goals This course specifically emphasizes the following English departmental goals:
                1. Knowledge of Literature: Within the literature area majors will demonstrate knowledge of various forms of written texts, major periods in the history of English, American, and world literature, and standard terminology of literary analysis.

3. Composing and Communications Skills: To develop advanced communication skills, majors will write thoughtful, well-organized essays conforming to standards of grammar, mechanics, and usage, including research papers on appropriate language and literature topics, that demonstrate correct use of standard reference tools and methods, and of primary and secondary sources and providing proper documentation of sources. Majors will construct persuasive arguments based on careful analysis and deliberation. 
4. Critical Analysis: Majors will critically analyze and interpret written and non-written texts (e.g. TV, film, and oral presentations) and demonstrate their ability to present coherent, defensible critical positions based on their analyses.

Touchstone Program: This class meets Touchstone Goals #1 and #4. It is also listed as a Humanities and Arts option.

Course Requirements:

Because of the Honors designator, students will be expected to participate consistently in class discussions. They will also be expected to complete additional work to supplement the course material. One project will be a critical paper on an additional writer from the Postmodern era (4-5 pages). If time permits, students will present these writers to their peers. Secondly, students will review a scholarly digital humanities project such as The Walt Whitman Archive and present the site to their peers. Topics for these papers/projects will need my approval.

Test 1                                                     15%       

Test 2                                                     15%       

Test 3                                                     15%

Paper                                                     15%       

Final Exam                                             20%       

Reading Quizzes/responses               5%

Paper on Additional Writer               10%       
Report/Presentation                           5%

Paper: Students taking this course for Honors credit will have a longer length/source requirement to meet. For example, if students in the regular section are writing 4-6 page papers, then the Honors students would write 6-8 page papers. This is just an example. Assignment guidelines will be given later in the semester.
Paper on Additional Writer: Students will be asked to select an additional writer from the "American Literature since 1945" section of the Norton anthology. They should choose a work from the anthology and write a critical essay about the work. Assignment guidelines to follow.
Report/Presentation on a Digital Humanities Project:  Students will write a short profile of 3-4 pages on a digital humanities website. Topics will need approval. Students should describe the site, consider applications, and be prepared to share their findings with their peers in a short presentation of 10 minutes. Assignment details to follow.

****ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THE CLASS. 

Undergraduate Grading Standards:
Grades are based on the following:

A             =              93-100                                                   D-            =              60-62

A-            =              90-92                                                     F              =              59 and below
B+           =              87-89

B              =              83-86

B-            =              80-82
C+           =              77-79

C              =              73-76

C-            =              70-72

D+           =              67-69

D             =              63-66

Final Examination:

The final examination for this class is scheduled for Thursday, April 26 at 3:00 pm. Winthrop University policy requires that all classes meet during their scheduled final examination period. This schedule can be found on the Records and Registration website. Winthrop University policy specifies that personal conflicts such as travel plans and work schedules do not warrant a change in examination time. You are responsible for checking the time of your final examination and for making arrangements to be there.

Plagiarism Policy:

Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")–whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not. It is also a violation of section V, "Academic Misconduct," under the Winthrop Student Conduct Code). The English Department has prepared The Correct Use of Borrowed Information to explain plagiarism. Ignorance or failure to consult this material is no excuse. MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT ALL OF YOUR SUBMITTED WORK IS ORIGINAL AND HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR THIS CLASS. AT THIS POINT, I EXPECT FOR EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO DOCUMENT AND INCORPORATE BORROWED MATERIAL APPROPRIATELY. In this course, depending on the nature and severity of the offense, the plagiarism policy ranges from a 0 on a particular assignment to failing the assignment to failing the course, as well as being subject to the school’s disciplinary system.

Student Code of Conduct:

As noted in the Student Conduct Code:  “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook.

Duplicate Submission of Papers

You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance. This is to conform to the Student Code of Conduct, §V, which states: "Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to … presenting the same or substantially the same papers or projects in two or more courses without the explicit permission of the professors involved." (Student Code of Conduct §V)

 
Turnitin.com

We will be using the TurnItIn program.  I’ll distribute the course id and password in class.  Work will not be graded until they have been submitted.

Late Paper/Assignment Policy:

This policy varies with the type of assignment.  Informal assignments such as in-class activities obviously cannot be made up.  For formal papers, the work is due in-class according to the dates on the schedule.  For formal essays, any work not handed in during the class will be penalized a half-letter grade for being late, and then one letter grade for each day late thereafter.  (This includes weekends).  For example, if a paper is due in class on Tuesday at 2:00 , and you’re not there but show up at my office at 4:00, your paper will receive a half-letter grade deduction.  However, if I do not receive the paper until Wednesday, it will receive a letter and a half grade deduction: half a grade for not having it in class, and an additional letter grade for it being a day late.  Please note that I consider the paper being turned in when I receive it in my hands—not under my door, in an email (without PRIOR permission), or in my mailbox.  Students will only be allowed to make up exams in the event of an unforeseeable emergency.  Documentation of the absence is REQUIRED before consideration for a make-up will be given.  Please note: If some kind of unforeseeable medical or legal situation arises, notify me as soon as possible.  Depending upon the severity of the situation and the nature of the documentation provided, this late policy may be adjusted.

Attendance Policy: 

I expect that you will attend every class; however, I will follow the standard Winthrop policy, which states: “Students are expected to attend classes and should understand that they are responsible for the academic consequences of absence.  The student is responsible for all requirements of the course regardless of absences. Instructors are obligated to provide makeup opportunities only for students who are absent with adequate cause such as incapacitating illness, death of an immediate family member, or authorized representation of the university.  The instructor will be responsible for judging the adequacy of cause for absence.  The student is responsible for providing documentation certifying the legitimacy of the absence to his or her instructor in advance of such absences.  In health-related or family emergency cases where advance notice is not possible, documentation should be provided to the instructor no later than the date the student returns to class.  . . . If a student’s absences in a course total 25 percent or more of the class meetings for the course, the student will receive a grade of N if the student withdraws from the course before the withdrawal deadline; after that date, unless warranted by documented extenuating circumstances as described in the previous section, a grade of F or U shall be assigned.” *** 28 class meetings are scheduled, so 6 is the maximum. 
-Being late of more than 10 minutes, answering a cell phone or text message, or sleeping in class will result in an absence. Three tardies of fewer than 10 minutes will equal an absence.
 

Instructor Accessibility:

You can expect me to be available as a resource from which to draw and to obtain feedback. I am very responsive to email questions as long as I know who the email is from and have all information necessary to provide a complete answer. Please be sure to “sign” your emails as oftentimes email names are confusing at best (e.g., brownb1@winthrop.edu could be Bob Brown or Beth Brown). Please make sure to speak slowly and comprehensibly if leaving a voicemail so that I can decipher the name, message, and return phone number as well. What you cannot expect of me is to be available 24/7. While I do check my email and voicemail regularly, I do not necessarily check them more than once a day or late in the evenings or on weekends. Therefore, if you procrastinate on an assignment, you may not have the information you need to complete the assignment appropriately. Please plan your time accordingly to maximize the probability that you will receive a response in time for it to be useful.

Students with Disabilities:

Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.  If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 803-323-3290.  Once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Office of Disability Services, please inform me as early as possible in the semester.

Appropriate Use of Hand-Held and Wireless Technology:
I will follow the College of Arts and Sciences policy regarding cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices.
       Additional Notes about the Use of Electronic Devices:

·     Unless required by a documented accommodation, lap tops should not be used in class.  During exams, I will usually ask students to place their belongings—including their phones—in the front of the room. 

• Texting or emailing in class will result in an absence. 

Safe Zones Statement:

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being – regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor’s expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting Your Instructor:

All instructors in the Department have voice mail in their offices and Winthrop e-mail addresses. Make sure you write down your instructor’s phone number and e-mail address where you will not lose it. You can leave messages for your instructor in the department mailroom, 248 Bancroft, which is open from 8:30-5:00 each day.

Writing Center: The Writing Center provides support for all students in all Winthrop classes free of charge. It is located in 242 Bancroft (x-2138). Check its web page for current hours.