Syllabus - Calendar | Jim Guthrie's English Dept. Page
Jim Guthrie's class COURSE DESCRIPTION Fall, 2002
OVERVIEW
Literature studied in this course spans the years between about 1820 and the end of the Civil War. That period encompasses the historical and artistic phenomenon widely known as the "American Renaissance," a time during which American authors first began asserting themselves on the international literary scene. It includes authors often described either as being Romantics (Irving, Cooper, Poe, Hawthorne) or Transcendentalists (Emerson, Thoreau). The earlier part of the nineteenth century was a particularly exciting era in our nation's literature. Many people still believe we have never quite equalled, since that time, the depth of emotion, intellectual radicalism, or the pure imaginative energy demonstrated by these authors.
TEXT:
The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Vol 1, ed. by Baym, Franklin, et. al. 5th edition, paper. Only this edition may be used. Also, please note that this text is required; no other book may be substituted for it.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Students' final grades will be determined by their performances on 4 tests, a 4th-hour project paper (see below), and the final exam, which will count as the equivalent of a 5th quiz (see note about final exam, below). The tests will be worth 100 points each; the project paper, 400 pts; the final exam, 100 pts., for a total of 900 pts. Class participation will also help determine students' grades. (A tip: if you keep up with the reading assigned for class, you'll find that the tests are rather easy. If you don't, you won't.)
TERM PAPER:
This is the class's required 4th-hour project. The paper will be an analysis of a work by an American author of the period covered by this class. Because many students will have taken courses such as English 250 and 251 before entering this class, I will assume students taking this course will already know what is involved in writing an analytical, fully documented, well-organized literary research paper. You must clear your paper topic with me before you start, and I strongly recommend that you schedule a conference with me in my office shortly after you begin your work. Please remember that any instances of plagiarism are grounds for the failure of the paper and/or dismissal from the class. To acquaint yourself with WSU’s policies concerning academic dishonesty, you may wish to consult the Student Handbook.
FINAL EXAM:
The final exam will not be comprehensive; rather, it will cover material discussed in class during the final two weeks of the term. It will be similar in format and difficulty to the four regular tests given during the rest of the term.
POLICIES:
Regular attendance and participation are expected. Students who know they will have to miss a class because of illness, emergency, etc. should be sure to call me (or e-mail me) before class time. If any student knows he or she will be absent from more than two classes during the term, he / she should drop the course immediately. More than two unexplained absences will result in a final grade reduction. Students who come to class without the textbook will be counted absent, as will late students. Tests and the final exam will be given only at the times scheduled in the syllabus. No late 4th-hour projects will be accepted. Finally, please note that I do not schedule make-up quizzes unless a student has notified me ahead of time that he or she must miss class on the day of the quiz. Otherwise, a student who misses a quiz can make it up only by writing a 6-page paper on a topic of my choice.
OFFICE HOURS, ETC:
My office is on the 4th floor of Millett Hall, room 455. Please do feel free to come by and see me during my office hours, from 1-3 p.m. on Thursdays. If you need to arrange a different day or time, we can probably work out a mutually convenient time. My office phone number is 775-2879, and you can leave messages on the voice mail at that number. But the best way to get in touch with me is via e-mail: james.guthrie@wright.edu
Syllabus - Calendar | Jim Guthrie's English Dept. Page