Dr. Kelly L. Richardson

Bancroft 232

Office Phone: 323-4644

E-mail: richardsonk@winthrop.edu
Website: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/richardsonk  

Office Hours: M 2:00-3:00, Tuesday 3:30-4:30, and by appointment

Course Overview:  
David Shi’s Facing Facts: Realism in American Thought and Culture, 1850-1920 includes this provocative quotation from Walt Whitman: “A true poem is the daily newspaper.”  In this course, we will consider the implications of such a statement by studying the growth of realistic and naturalistic theory and practice. For example, we will explore some of the following questions:
·       What exactly is the goal of this approach to art?
·       Why was it so popular in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century?
·       Why did it replace Romanticism? 
·        How did the literary form intersect with other aesthetic expressions of art, photography, and architecture? 
·        What are the limits of such an approach? 

This course is also designed to meet the objectives of the MA program:
Student Objectives: Content Knowledge. The student will demonstrate knowledge of:

1. various forms of written texts (including fiction, poetry, drama, essay, and other literary genres).  This course will focus primarily on prose, short stories, and novels. 
2. major periods in the history of English, American, and world literature in terms of cultural contexts, styles, dominant genres, language, and subject matter.  This course will focus on the specific period of Realism and Naturalism in American literature. 
3. major similarities and differences among British, American, and other national literatures We will discuss how American realism differs from British and European approaches. 
4. professional standards of grammar, mechanics, and usage accepted in the scholarly community  Students will write and present on various topics. 
5. standard reference tools, methods, and forms of documentation used in scholarly research Students will write and present on various topics, using MLA documentation, and standard reference works. 
6. the standard terminology of literary analysis used in scholarly writing Students will write on appropriate literary topics using this terminology. 
7. various critical perspectives such as the formalist, structuralist, and post-structuralist approaches This course will focus on a range of critical approaches including  but not limited to Formalism, New Historicism, Cultural Studies, Feminism, Marxism, and Psychoanalysis.
8. the English language, including its structure, grammar, vocabulary, and historical development.  While this course does not focus exclusively on this topic, we will examine the use of dialects in the writing. 
9. writers from different cultural, ethnic, and minority backgrounds.  We will cover women writers (Chopin, Freeman, Gilman, Jewett, Spofford), African American writers (Chesnutt, Dunbar, Washington, Du Bois), and Native American writers (Zitkala-Sa). 

Student Objectives: Skills in Analysis, Writing, and Communication.
The student will:

1. present orally the findings of research and critical analysis Students will conduct a presentation on a cultural topic, lead discussion, and present their final papers. 
2. demonstrate the correct use of standard reference tools, the proper handling of primary and secondary sources, and proper documentation of all sources  
3. write research papers and critical analyses on appropriate topics from language, literature, or pedagogy
4. demonstrate a publishable level of critical, creative, or pedagogical materials
5. sustain a high standard of written expression in lengthy critical or creative works (including but not limited to theses) Objectives 2-5 will be met by a combination of short and long essays. 
6. demonstrate synthesizing skills through a comprehensive final examination We will have a comprehensive exam.

Texts:
Chopin, Kate.  1899. The Awakening.  2^nd edition. NY: Norton, 1994. 0-393-96057-9
Crane, Stephen.  Great Short Works of Stephen Crane.  NY: Harper, 1968. 0-06-083032-8.
Dreiser, Theodore.  Sister Carrie.  1900. NY: Norton, 2006. ISBN-13: 9780393927733
Howells, William Dean.  The Rise of Silas Lapham.  1885.  NY: Norton, 1982.  ISBN-
            13: 9780393091656
James, Henry.  The Bostonians.  1886. NY: Penguin, 2001. ISBN 9780140437669.
Norris, Frank.  McTeague.  1899. NY: Norton, 1997.  ISBN-13: 9780393970135
Shi, David E. Facing Facts: Realism in American Thought and Culture, 1850-1920. NY:    Oxford UP, 1995. 0-19-510653-9. 
Twain, Mark. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  1884. 3^rd edition.  NY: Norton, 1999.  0-393-96640-2.
Twain, Mark.  Puddn'head Wilson.  1894. NY: Norton, 2005. ISBN-13: 9780393925357.
Wharton, Edith.  The House of Mirth.  1905. NY: Norton, 1990. ISBN-13: 9780393959017
Short works (available online or as handouts): see calendar  

Recommended: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.  7^th Edition.  NY: MLA, 2009.  ISBN: 978-1-60329-024-1.

Requirements:
-completing three 4-6 page papers on different works (10% each; 30% total)
-leading classroom discussion on an assigned day (10%)
-presenting one oral report (10%)
-completing a critical paper suitable for presentation at a conference or publication (30%)
-completing a cumulative final exam (20%)
**You must complete all assignments in order to receive credit for the course.

Short Papers (10% each; 30 % total): These papers are designed to give you an opportunity to focus on a topic from that week’s reading.  Participants should select a text (or texts) and make an argumentative claim about the material.  Research is not required; however, if it is necessary, sources need to follow MLA format. These papers will be evaluated by the Rubric for Writing/English courses.  Please see the English Department website. 

Leading Classroom Discussion (10%): Each participant will be expected to lead classroom discussion once during the course (in addition to the daily participation).  Participants will have 30-45 minutes to present on the writers/works and to lead us in discussion.  A handout should be prepared and distributed to the class, which includes key information, the clear integration of at least 3-5 secondary sources, and 3 well-developed questions that we can use to prompt discussion.  Please click here for more information and the rubric for leading classroom discussion.

Presenting One Oral Report (10%): In order to supplement our discussions, participants will be asked to report on additional topics of historical/literary interest.  On your assigned day, you should be prepared to present for 30 minutes on your topic.  You should also provide your audience with a handout. Please click here for more information and the rubric for presenting the oral report. 

Long Paper (30%): This 12-15 paper will give you an opportunity to examine some issue of interest to you.  These papers should be argumentative in nature, making a claim about the material.  You could investigate a central theme or question we have examined, expand on a shorter paper, delve into a work that we are not reading in class but you would like to study, compare our works with British writers, etc.  While the number of sources will vary with the topic, substantial scholarship needs to be included in your argument.  These sources can be used to support your claim, be used to provide additional information, or be used as part of the opposition.  Primary materials may also be included, but need to be in addition to the secondary pieces.  You'll prepare a prospectus and participate in a short conference with me about your topic. You'll also prepare an annotated bibliography and present your final paper to the class.  ***NOTE: YOU MUST ATTEND THE PAPER CONFERENCE (WHICH MEANS YOU ALSO MUST SUBMIT A PROSPECTUS) IN ORDER FOR ME TO ACCEPT (AND THUS GRADE) YOUR PAPER. The annotated bibliography will count 10% of your grade; the paper itself will count 20%.  Please click here for the paper assignment (the prospectus, annotated bibliography, and rubric.) I also have included some writing suggestions and a peer review guide. 

**See Guidelines for paper and presentation choices.

Final Exam (20%): This final exam will give you an opportunity to synthesize key primary and secondary texts, ideas, and questions that we have discussed throughout the course.  Class discussions, readings, and presentations will affect the test design.   

Participation: This course will ask for your consistent participation.  We will be covering a number of works, and it is imperative to keep up with the reading (including any outside criticism assigned).  While I often will lecture briefly on background information, our class will be based on class discussion.  I expect you to read the texts actively and to come to class prepared to ask thoughtful questions and make thoughtful comments.

Attendance: You are expected to attend all class meetings, and you are expected to be on time for each class meeting.  Let me know if you cannot be here in advance.  Failure to attend three meetings will result in an F in the course. 

Late Work: No late work will be accepted.  (Depending upon the severity of the situation and the nature of the documentation provided, this late policy may be adjusted.)

Contacting Your Instructor: I check my voice mail and email each weekday.  (I do not

check them usually on the weekend.)  You can also leave messages for me in the

department mailroom, 248Bancroft, which is open from 8:30-5:00 each day.

Honor Policy: Students are expected to handle borrowed material appropriately and follow MLA documentation style.  Please consult the English Department’s The Correct Use of Borrowed Information if you have questions.  I’d also be happy to work with you individually.  Plagiarism will result in an F in the course and possible reporting depending on the severity of the offense. 
 

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.

Other Policies: Turn off /place on silent or vibrate cell phones, pagers, beepers, etc. before coming to class.   PLEASE.  While you’re here, you’re in class.   Let’s all respect the time.