English 296: American Literature I

Dr. Mary Baumhover	Office hours:
Office: 127 Bowden Hall	Monday: 11:00-1:00
Office phone: 538-6627	Tuesday: 8:30-9:30
Fax: (575) 538-6535	Wednesday: 3:00-4:00
Email: baumhoverm@wnmu.edu	Thursday: 11:00-12:00
	Friday: 9:30-10:30
	and by appointment.

Prerequisites: Successful (passing with a C or better) completion of Composition and

Rhetoric 101 and 102.

Required Text: Lauter, Paul, ed. The Heath Anthology ofAmerican Literature. Vol. 1. 4th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002.

Course Objectives: This course begins with Native American writings, and covers American literature through the latter part of the 19th century. The course will include a wide range of literature; in addition to poetry and fiction, we will read nonfiction writings by explorers, settlers, ministers, and politicians. In the process, we will explore what it means to be American, and will try to reconcile the myths with the reality. While there will be occasional lectures, in general the class will function through discussion.

Expected Outcomes: Students will read a wide variety of documents (some of which form the basis of our culture and government); demonstrate understanding, appreciation, and critical thinking skills in daily essay questions; gain knowlege about the cultural and political roots of America; and express their knowledge and insight in short daily essays, two essay exams, and a formal essay.

Assignments:

30% Daily writing

15% Midterm

15% Final

30% Formal essay

10% Class participation (including attendance;

four unexcused absences will flunk you)

Daily Writing: At the beginning of each class, I will ask a question about the reading assigned for that day; you will be given five to ten minutes to write a short essay in response. If you are late, you miss your chance to write that day’s essay. If you have an excused absence, you may make up the essay, but it is your responsibility to make arrangements with me.

Midterm and Final: Before each exam, you will have an opportunity to propose essay questions. I will use some student questions, provided they offer sufficient challenge without being unfairly difficult.

Formal Essay: The essay should be approximately 4 to 7 pages (typed, double-spaced, with standard margins). It should focus on at least one work from our text. Support your claims with quotations from the text, and include page numbers. If page numbers are missing, the assignment is incomplete. You may include research, but the essay must show original thought. If you use research, follow the MLA format and cite all references.

I will be happy to work with you on the rough draft of your essay; you can see me during office hours, come to the Writing Center, or make an appointment with me.

Standards for Literature Essays

If you plagiarize, you will fail the course.

A = Excellent. The essay offers an interpretation that gives the reader insight into the work(s); it is sharply observant and keenly critical. Assertions are persuasive and supported by evidence from the text. It is logically organized, and the language is clear, concise, and may be notable for its distinctive (but appropriate) style. Distracting mechanical errors are at a minimum.

B = Above average. The interpretation shows some original thought and goes beyond plot summary and class discussion. Assertions are persuasive and supported by evidence from the text. The organization is logical and the language is clear. Distracting mechanical errors are at a minimum. The essay may be of “A” quality in general, but has too many errors.

C = Average. The essay deals with the major elements of the work, although there may be some reliance on plot summary and/or class discussion. Most assertions are supported by the text, and misinterpretation of the text is minimal. The organization is logical and the language is clear. Errors do not distract or interfere with comprehension. The essay may be of “A” or “B” quality in general, but there are too many mechanical errors (including failure to follow MLA format).

D = Below average. The essay neglects major elements in the work and/or makes assertions that aren’t supported by the text. Some points are made, but their significance is not developed. Organization is weak, and/or transitions are missing. The essay may be of “A,” “B,” or “C” quality in general, but there are too many mechanical errors (including failure to follow MLA format).

F The essay doesn’t show any insight into the work, and/or violates the major principles of composition. There are too many mechanical errors (including failure to follow MLA format).

Essay guidlelines: The essay should be approximately 4-7 pages (typed, double-spaced, with standard margins). It should focus on at least one work from our text. Support your claims with

quotations from the text, quote exactly, and use quotation marks. Don’t forget to include page

numbers; if they’re missing, I will return the paper.

You may include research, but the essay should show original thought. If you use

research, follow the MLA format and cite all references. Taking credit for another person’s words and/or ideas is plagiarism, and will result in failure of the course. The following are suggestions only; you may create your own topic.

--Using the writings of explorers and settlers in our text, show how the qualities necessary for survival in the New World led to contemporary American stereotypes.

--Explore how the Native American writings in our text challenge the European myths of them as “savages” or “noble savages.”

--Why is the story of the Virgin of Guadalupe so important to New World literature?

--Focusing on several works from our text, discuss the nature and validity of the American Dream in early American literature.

--How does Poe create horror?

--Explore the myth of America as the “New Eden” as it appears in Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown.”

--Explore a theme in one or more works of Hawthorne.

--What relevance does Walden, or Life in the Woods have for us in the 21st century?

--Explore Emily Dickinson’s ability to convey intense emotions in a few words.

--Explicate a poem or short story, i. e, go through it carefully, line by line, even word by word, to explore significance, meaning, and effectiveness of language.

--What have the readings taught you about the social and/or living conditions of early America? You might focus on a specific group, like women or slaves.

---- How has this text changed, challenged, or supported your view of the settlement of America?

--Choose any work/author in this text and show why it/he/she deserves a place in American literary history.