Through a series of works of American literature from the period of Realism to the present day we shall consider the variety of America's national literature and the themes and forms by which writers have tried to depict the American experience. Although we shall focus primarily on literary questions, we at times shall find useful some familiarity with the social, political, and intellectual history of America.

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 teaching 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.

Tests:

1) an essay test on writers of the Realistic period handed out on [TBA].

2) an essay test on writers of the earlier 20th Century handed out on [TBA].

3) an essay test incorporating writers of the later 20th Century period handed out on [TBA].

Paper:

A documented analytical essay of around 5-6 pages on a narrow and specific aspect of a selected work from among those assigned in the regular course readings. The paper is due [TBA]. Consult the page Term Essay (in "Assignment Info") for the requirements and topic guidelines for this paper.

Teaching Presentation:

A teaching presentation to the class on a manageable topic from a list of approved topics The aims of the project will be to enrich the class and to encourage an interesting full-class discussion of literary topics by students. Visual aids of all kinds are encouraged (ask the instructor for help if you need to schedule audio-visual or computer equipment). Class discussion must be an element of each presentation. Consult the pages Teaching Presentation and Teaching Presentation Topics in the "Assignment Info" area for the guidelines for this assignment. Students will choose the day on which they will make their presentations (in or after week 5).

Discussion:

Around six-seven 45-minute sessions will be devoted entirely to group discussion using the Learning Through Discussion (LTD) method (see course calendar for specific authors and dates). Consult the handout LTD: A Student Guide to American Literature Discussions for detailed information. In addition, your comments, reactions, and disagreements are requested during every class meeting.

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%

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.