Survey of American Literature II

Course Details

Course Number: 2623  Section Number: 101

Fall 2011

Location: Dillard College of Business Administration

Classroom Number: 129

Days & Times:

11:00 MWF

Course Attachments

Syllabus  syllabus.doc

First set of thesis statement questions  Thesis_Statement_Questions I.doc

Paper notations  Paper Notations (Little Brown Brief).docx

Sample essay II (Columbus)  Think Piece (student example II).doc

Third set of Think Piece Questions  Think Piece questions #3.docx

Freshman comp essay  Sammy_essay.doc

Comments on "Sammy" essay  Suggestions_and_comments_on_the_Sammy_essay.doc

Essay requirements and due dates  Think_Piece_Requirements-1.doc

Think Pieces Questions II  Think Piece questions #2.docx

Student Essay (Daisy Miller)  scan0001.pdf

Sample essay (Columbus)  Student Think Piece on Columbus (with markup).doc

Textbooks

Norton Anthology of American Lit (Package 2)
This package includes three volumes, designated C, D, and E. (7th edition)
  ISBN: 0-393-92994-9
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Greg Giddings   
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Course Objectives
  • Course’s primary goal: English 2623 is a literature course that introduces the student to American literary works produced after 1865, encompassing what are generally known as the Realistic, Modern, and Post-Modern periods.  The class will emphasize the characteristics of these periods and representational (or occasionally non-representational) traits of the canonical authors. 
  • Secondary objectives:  Students will examine ways of knowing in the humanities and ways of approaching literature as a means of understanding life and of interpreting human experience. In particular, this class should also reveal to students the various threads that make up the fabric of our American culture and the impact these texts have on contemporary America and the collective consciousness of our country.
  • Departmental goals 1.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 4.1 are also addressed.  (See departmental website for clarification.)

Course Expectations

Three exams: 60%

Four short essays (two pages in length): 30%

Reading Quizzes: 10%


Grading Standards

90-100: A

80-89: B

70-79: C

60-69: D

0-59: F


Submission Format Policy

 

Each essay must be submitted as an attachment in a Word (not Works) document.  The requirements are clearly under the Course Documents section on Course Compass. 

By enrolling in this class, the student expressly grants MSU a “limited right” to all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course.  The “limited right” shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and for educational purposes.

Note: 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.


Note: 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.

Late Paper Policy

Late essays will be penalized one letter grade for each day that the paper is late.


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

There is no penalty for missing class, but the reading quizzes cannot be made up.  So basically, those quizzes are an incentive to attend class and be prepared.


Other Policies

 

 

This class is writing intensive.  Not only is 30% of your grade based on essays, but also a significant percentage of your exams are essay questions.  And to clarify, by writing, I mean academic writing.  On both the essays and tests, you will be expected to formulate an analytical, subjective thesis statement and support it with well organized paragraphs.   If you check your catalog, you will see that English 1113 and 1123 are prerequisites for this class.  So in grading your essays, I will assume that you have learned the basics of those two important classes. 

 

 

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is rampant in composition classes, usually due to "copying and pasting" from the internet. 

Plagiarism is one of the most serious examples of academic dishonesty; consequently, it will not be tolerated.

The following is the penalty of plagiarism:  The student will earn a "zero" for that particular assignment, and he or she will not be able to replace that essay with a "re-write."

If a student commits plagiarism twice in the same semester, he or she will earn an F for that semester's grade.

 

 

 


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.