L. Casal
Office Phone:  (703) 257-6692;  e-mail:   nvcasal@nvcc.edu;  lc645@yahoo.com (preferred)
Office Hours:   MW 7:30-8, 10:00-11, 12:15-12:30;  W 3:15-4:15, 6-7

Course Description
English 242 is a survey of American literature from 1865 to the present.  Emphasis will be on the presentation of American themes, ideas, and attitudes as they developed in the writing of a particular period.  The major intellectual movements of the period will be examined: Realism, Modernism, Traditionalism, Regionalism, and Experimental Literature.  Students will be encouraged to compare the various movements and determine what is particularly American about them.  In addition, consideration will be given to those elements that are still apparent in American society today. 

Course Objectives
This course will provide the student with an understanding of the relationships between the individual works of the examined period in American literature.  The course also seeks to improve the student's ability to read critically and perceptively.  The student is expected to express his/her knowledge of the material both orally and in writing.  In addition, the course will enhance the student's ability to combine classroom information and discussion into his/her critical analysis.  Finally, English 242 hopes to encourage in the student an appreciation of literature that will continue after the course ends!

General Course Purpose
This second course of the 214-242 sequence is intended to provide students with an understanding of the ideas, themes, and characteristics of American literature from 1865 to the present. Students also develop an awareness of the historical, religious, philosophical, and aesthetic contexts which helped to shape American culture.

Please note: Various issues -- sexuality, religion, politics – are considered legitimate academic discourse in a course which examines literary themes and styles.  These issues will be discussed as they relate to the literature.  The instructor and students will be tolerant of individual views expressed; however, all discussions will assume appropriate classroom language and tone or will not be tolerated.  A respect for the course material and the issues surfaced in class is part of the academic experience.  The Student Handbook offers additional guidelines for student behavior and academic integrity.

Major Topics to be Covered
The following topics will be examined in English 242: Realism, Modernism, Traditionalism, Regionalism, and Experimental Literature.

Course Prerequisite
English 112 or its equivalent or division approval.

Texts:   
The Norton Anthology American Literature, Fifth Edition.  New York:  W.W. Norton & Company, 1998.

Optional Text:
Latest edition of MLA manual.

Course Requirements                                                                              Grade Scale
You will be asked to: complete one essay,   25 pts                                        100-93    A
   complete one annotated bibliography  10 pts.                                               92-83     B
   lit. criticism review    20 pts.                                                                         82-74     C
   final project    20 pts                                                                                    73-65     D
   pastiche     10 pts                                                                                         64-0       F
   complete quizzes and writings (in-class) 15 pts.
  
Grading
The following attempts to offer a description of each grade:
A This work demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the material as indicated by thoughtful critical analysis.   Inventiveness and attention is given to every detail from the selection of focus to final presentation.  Flaws may be present; however, they are due to what is yet to be learned rather than to carelessness and lack of attention. 
B This work demonstrates an understanding of the material as indicated by thoughtful critical analysis.  Inventiveness and attention is given to every detail from selection of focus to final presentation.  This work usually requires a minimal amount of revision and editing.
C This work demonstrates some understanding of the material from a critical analysis viewpoint.; however, generalizations or surface evaluations are present.  Usually, there is more explaining and summary than there is critical analysis.   This work requires a significant revision and editing.
D This work fails to show a meaningful understanding of the work.   In addition, there little or no attention given to development, organization, and final presentation.  A major revision and editing is required.
F This work show a blatant disregard for the assignment.  There is no serious thought or process involved.  Usually revision means starting all over again.  In addition, papers deemed not original student work (plagiarism) will receive this grade.

Attendance
Success in this course depends, in part, on your participation in in-class activities and discussions.  In addition, this syllabus is subject to change; therefore, class attendance is the best way to stay informed.  Therefore, attendance is imperative.  When absent, assume material was covered and consult a fellow student for information about what transpired in the class.  

Revision Policy
You may revise one assignment during the semester.  However, the revision will be accepted only after evidence of peer review, a conference with the me, and/or a session with a tutor in the writing center.  You may secure the peer review from one of our in-class group reviews, visit a tutor in the Writing Center, and/or make an appointment to meet with me.  The revision must be accompanied by all drafts, including the most recent graded version.

Late Papers
Late papers will be penalized an entire grade for each day delay from the due date.  Papers more than a week late will not be accepted, resulting in an F for the paper.  Exceptions will be granted only after a consultation with me before the due date.

Plagiarism
To plagiarize is to copy or claim as your own the work of another. DON'T DO IT!  If you do plagiarize, you will receive an automatic F for the particular plagiarized paper.  More than one plagiarized paper will result in an automatic F in the course.

Please note the following:
1. Inappropriate classroom behavior will not be tolerated.  Politeness and respect are required.  Refer to the student handbook for  further information.
2. You are responsible for securing your enrollment in this class.  Please be sure you are properly enrolled and tuition is paid.
3.  If you have special needs or considerations, please see me or a counselor.
4. Please turn off all cell phones, beepers, and other electronic noise items while in class.  Thank you.
5. You are required to attend at least 80% of the classes to pass.  Persistent tardiness and early exits will   count against your attendance record.
6. Late papers will be grade penalized unless the student has contacted me and received an extension.  Papers more than a week late will not be accepted.
7. Failure to attend the last class will result in an automatic incomplete in the course.
8. You may revise one paper during the semester.
 

Have a successful semester!  And remember, I am here to assist you in the successful completion of the course.
 

L. Casal                                                             English 242         Spring 2002

Syllabus
1/14  Review syllabus; Student data 

1/16  Talking about  literature
Discussion of critical an analysis and how it differs from summary and explanation.

1/21  No Class
 
1/23  Impromptu 
      
1/28  Discussion of the Impromptu 
  Harte  Outcasts of Poker Flat p.230
  Discussion of Regionalism/Local Color/Realism.

1/30  Harte  Outcasts of Poker Flat (discussion continued) 
                                                                                                                                  I believe all
2/4  Jewett  A White Heron  p. 431                                                                            literature started
  Chopin  Storm   p.464                                                                                              as gossip.
  Freeman A New England Nun p. 560                                                                  ~ Rita Mae Brown 
  Discussion of Short Fiction/Women’s Literature/Literary Criticism.

2/6  Jewett, Chopin, Freeman    (discussion continued)
  
2/11  Frost  Stopping By Woods p. 1133
Desert Places  p. 1137                                                                                     The words loved me and
Road Not Taken p. 1128                                                                                 I loved them in return.
Stevens Emperor Ice Cream p.1167                                                             ~ Sonia Sanchez
Sunday Morning p.1168  
Plain Sense of Things p.1184
Discussion of Poetry.
 
2/13  Williams Red Wheelbarrow p.1221                                                       Poetry is a string of words
Just to Say  p. 1224                                                                                       that parade without permit.   
Eliot  Prufrock  p. 1370                                                                              ~ Linda Hogan   
Discussion of Modernism/Traditionalism. 
           
2/18  Parker  Resume  p. 1461                                                                      How do I know what I 
Sex Situation  p. 1462                                                                                    Think, until I see what
Waltz   p. 1462                                                                                               I say?
cummings in Just   p. 1479                                                                            ~W.H.Auden
gladly beyond  p. 1485 
pretty how town  p. 1485       
Discussion of Experimental Literature.
Due:  Literary criticism review
                                                                                                                      The test of literature 
                                                                                                                       is, I suppose whether
2/20  Carver  Cathedral  p. 2197                                                                    we ourselves live more              
  Beattie  Weekend  p. 2302                                                                            intensely for the reading
                                                                                                                       of it. ~ Elizabeth Drew 
 

2/25  Rothke  Papa’s Waltz  p. 2449  
  Knew A Woman p. 2454   
  Hayden  Winter Sundays  p. 2493        
Brookes front yard  p. 2544          
The Mother  p. 2543 
  Discussion of The Harlem Renaissance. 
                                                                                                                       Besides Shakespeare 
                                                                                                                       and me, who do you
2/27  Wilbur  Beautiful Changes p.2568                                                           think there is? Gertrude Stein     
                     Love Calls  p. 2571
Ginsburg Sunflower Sutra  p. 2642
              Aunt Rose  p. 2643
Kinnell  Saint Francis  p. 2662
            Making Love  p. 2663
  Discussion of Beat Literature.

  Introduction to the pastiche                   
3/4  Sexton  Sylvia’s Death  p. 2705
    Little Girl  p. 2707
  Rich  Valediction  p. 2719
    Wreck   p. 2719
  Discussion of Confessional Poetry.

3/6  Introduction to the pastiche

3/11 & 13 Spring Break---Have a good one!

3/18  Read Around – Pastiches

  Due :  Pastiche

3/20  Plath  Lazarus   p. 2744
                  Applicant  p. 2753
                  Morning Song  p. 2744                                                                      A word is dead
  Lorde  Woman   p. 2757                                                                                   When it is said,
  Oliver  Blackwater  p. 2763                                                                                Some say. 
             Visitor   p. 2764                                                                                       I say it just
                                                                                                                             Begins to live
3/25  Introduction to the literary analysis essay                                                       That day.
  Discussion of critical analysis.                                                                           ~ Emily Dickinson 

3/27  Groups will meet to begin planning for the project.

4/1  Research Day

4/3  Music & Literature

  Due:  Song lyrics illustrating elements of literature

4/8  Music & Literature

  Due:  Song lyrics illustrating elements of literature
 
4/10  Research Report

  Due:  Annotated Bibliography 

4/15  Student Conferences________________________________
  Due: Essay 
4/17  Student Conferences________________________________
  Due: Essay 

Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of fifteen.    ~ Willa Cather

4/22  Essay Review

  Due:  Final draft of the essay

4/24  Student Evaluations prior to final project  

4/29  Group Meeting for the Project  

5/1  Group Meeting for the Project  

5/6  Final Class:  Project Presentation   
10:45 am        
  DUE: Project Presentation    

Please note attendance on May 6, the final date for our class, is mandatory.  If you do not attend this class, you will receive an automatic incomplete in the course.