I. Focus Of the Course

II. Course Goals

Attentive Reading

To develop and practice the habit of close and careful reading of literary texts.

Objective: The student will read and systematically analyze a series of texts from the American literary canon from its beginnings to the Civil War.

To become attentive and responsive to that type of language which can only be found in literature.

Objective: The student will learn the distinctions between literary language and language used in ordinary contexts.

To understand literary expression, literary forms, and techniques.

Objective: Through a series of readings and analytical and critical writing and speaking assignments, the student become familiar with standard literary forms, devices, and techniques.

To practice and develop higher-order thinking skills.

Objective: Through systematic reading, writing, and discussion assignments about American literature, the student will practice analytical, critical, and evaluative thinking skills.

To practice effective communication skills through individual and group discussions about American literature.

Objective: The student will participate effectively in individual and group discussions, and a formal oral presentation, about American literature.

To develop effective information-gathering and research skills.

Objective: The student will conduct library and online research to support both oral and written assignments about American literature.

To practice analytical and critical writing skills.

Objective: The student will produce writing on works and issues in American literature, including three essay tests, a formal research essay, and six structured discussion guides on specific literary works.

To develop some familiarity with America's history.

Objective: The student will become familiar with some of the best that has been thought and written in America's past, and will examine and discuss America's literary works within the context of the social, political, and cultural background in which they were written.

To better understand American civilization.

Objective: In a progressive series of readings in American literature, the student will trace the genesis, development, and continuity of American myths, ideas, and values.

To examine, through literature, representations of human behavior and experience.

Objective: The student will examine and analyze, through literature, representations of human behavior and experience as a means to better understand other people, themselves, ethical choices, and their own experience.

III. Requirements

Tests:

2) an essay test on writers of the earlier Romantic period handed out on November X.

3) an essay test incorporating writers of the later Romantic period handed out on December X .

Paper:

IV. Web Resources

V. Grades

Assignment(s)	Total Points	Percentage
Essay Tests (3)	75 pts.	50%
Teaching Presentation	30 pts.	20%
Term Essay	30 pts.	20%
Attendance & Participation	15 pts.	10%
GRAND TOTAL =	150 pts.	100%

Class attendance and participation are expected; a record of poor or marginal attendance will lower a final grade substantially more than 10%. Participation on LTD days is especially important, as other students (and the instructor) are depending on your presence! Be aware of all due dates listed in the course calendar (and any calendar changes announced in class). All assignments are due in class on the due date. An assignment handed in after the class period is a late assignment. In general, a first late assignment will be accepted and graded down; a second late assignment will not be accepted.

VII. Academic Honesty

A few words about academic honesty: All members of the Kirtland community share the responsibility for maintaining standards of academic honesty. This principle is a cornerstone of the development and acquisition of knowledge, and a condition of continued membership in the college community. Academic dishonesty, like other forms of dishonesty, is misrepresentation with intent to deceive or without regard to the source or the accuracy of statements or findings. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the college; it is, furthermore, unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly.

In English courses, particularly, a cardinal principle of honesty must always be observed:

Students must never plagiarize. That is, they must never submit the work of another person as if it were their own. In practical terms, this means:

1. Students must never submit a paper written by another person.

2. Students must never incorporate the ideas of others into their own writing--whether quoted, paraphrased, or summarized--without properly documenting them.