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Spring 1999 | |
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Office Hours: |
ENGL 258 |
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M:4:30-6 Tues:4:30-6 |
x8661 |
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or by appointment |
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General Course Description:
The American novel came of age during the period 1875-1929. We will study works published between these years in order to glean a sense of the emerging standards of the genre. In the process, we will also consider ways in which the forms of narration that originated with these novels mirror and/or distort the national scene. To what extent, we will ask ourselves, can we examine the forms that appear in these novels as comments on the historical context out of which they emerge? How do technological advances, for instance, impact not only the stories that are told but also the way that they are told? Can we treat these texts as history or as historical? What's the difference?
Course Proceedures:
Class participation and attendance are mandatory. In order to facilitate small group work, the class will be divided into small groups; these groups will meet outside of class on a rotating schedule and prepare short writing assignments and in-class presentations. Individual group members will meet with me outside of class at set intervals. In addition to these responsibilities, students will also write three short papers in the first half of the semester, two drafts of their final paper and a final draft.
Grading Policies:
You are required to write a total of eight "prep" papers. In addition, there will be two short essays, a mid-term essay and a final paper. Attendance and class participation are mandatory and an excess of three unexcused absences might result in a grade of "no entry." Your final grade will break down according to the following percentages:
What is a "prep" paper?
A prep paper is a brief (1-2 pp) analytical comment that will be used as a way to focus class discussion. You need not account for the whole text in a prep paper. Rather, you will focus your attention on a specific moment, aspect, technique, or concept (for instance) and provide an analytic basis for that focus. Basically, you will be answering the question: Why is this worth your attention? It is the analytic aspect of the prep paper that sets it apart from, say, a journal entry.
What is a mid-term essay?
A mid-term essay is slightly longer than a prep paper because it is a more extended argument. In a 3-5 page essay you will be asked to address one of several topic questions (or one of your own design). Techniques of analysis that you will be using in your prep papers will come into play here since you will be selecting salient examples to support your point of view.
What is a final paper?
A final paper should be 8-10 pages in length. I will provide a list of possible topic questions and you are also free to develop your own topic. In the event that you do choose to create your own focus, please make an appointment with me to discuss it before you get in too deep. Chances are that I'll have some handy suggestions to help you write the paper. You may use secondary sources, but this is not a requirement
Required Reading
Week 1:
Week 2: (Feb 8)
Week 3: (Feb 15)
Week 4: (Feb 22)
Cahan, Abraham. Yeckl. (1896).--Group 3
Week 5: (March 1)
Week 6: (March 8)
Week 7: (March 15)
Spring Break
Week 8: (March 29)
Week 9: (April 5)
Week 10: (April 12)
Week 11: (April 19)
Week 12: (April 26)
Week 13: (May 3)
Week 14: (May 10)
Conclusion-Papers due
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