English 2313-16144
Introduction American (U.S.) Fiction
Dr. Abarca
Fall 2010
Office: Hudspeth 307
Office phone: 747-6249
Email:
Syllabus subject to change at professor’s discretion
OFFICE HOURS:
Mondays & Fridays from 7:00 to 8:00 AM and 1:45 to 2:45 PM. I keep an open door policy during office hours only. On special circumstances I will have office hours on Fridays by appointment only. While I am usually in the office at other times, please keep in mind that I need such time/space to conduct research, prepare classes, grade students’ work, and fulfill committee service responsibilities. In advance, I thank you for your understanding.
COURSE GOALS:
The course will introduce students to the diversity of U.S. literary production focusing on the short story and the novel; we will study different historical periods and explore how they are reflected in the literature. The guiding question for our study is “What is the journey home?”
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The course has four main objectives:
- Introduce students to literary characteristics of fiction: plot, irony, symbolism, etc.
- Introduce students to different approaches of literary analysis
- Introduce students to the craft of writing literary analysis
- Introduce students a panoramic view of U.S. history through its literature
COURSE ACCESMENT OF OBJECTIVES:
• Students will draft, edit and revise three short analytical essays
• Students will keep a weekly reading journal where they will reflect on the reading and make critical connections between themes presented in the stories
• Students will take a midterm and final exam where they will demonstrate their comprehension of the reading material, characteristics of fiction, and the relationship between history and fiction
• Students (in groups) will be responsible for leading one oral presentaion
TEXTS AND MATERIALS:
• Chopin, Kate. The Awakening and Selected Stories. New York: Penguin, 2003. [ISBN: 978-0-14-243732-2]
• Schmid, Thomas. Student Guide to Writing about Literature. Eden Prairie, MN: Outernet Publishing, LLC, 2005. [ISBN 1-58175-462-0]
• Ozeki, Ruth. All Over Creation. New York: Penguin, 2003. [ISBN: 0-14-200389-1]
• Sáenz, Alire Benjamin. In Perfect Light. New York: Harper Perennial, 2005. [ISBN 978-0-06-077921-4]
• Course Reader (Paper Chase locate at 2900 N. Mesa / phone 915.541.7072/ open only from 8 to 5)
POLICIES:
Attendance is necessary for your success in this course; be here for each class session. I follow the university attendance policy as stated in the Undergraduate Catalog. Excessive absences will result in your being dropped from the course; “excessive” is defined in this course as more than six class meetings. You must attend the FULL CLASS MEETING to receive attendance credit. Therefore, you must be on time and stay until class is over.
Make-up work: All work is due as assigned. There are no “make-ups.” Once again, I follow the policy found in the Class Attendance section of the Undergraduate Catalog.
NOTE: Literature is about understanding life. As we share each other’s ideas about literature, we share and learn from each other; please, don’t deprive me of an opportunity to learn from you by your absences.
Plagiarism: It does not serve your intellectual and ethical growth. Besides, it is against the law. I prefer to teach and not act as a police officer and report anyone suspected of committing such a crime to the Dean of Students. Please, leave criminal behavior outside of the classroom.
Cell Phones & Text Messages: I never suspected that one day I would have to add this line to a course syllabus. But here it is: please try common social manners. Turn your phones off and wait to read/send text messages after class. I promise I will do the same.
PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS’ EVALUATION:
1. Daily reading assignments: You are to complete daily reading assignments before coming to class on the date listed by the course reading schedule. You’re expected to read carefully and to come ready to discuss your ideas about the assignments. You are responsible for keeping up with the reading schedule and any changes I announce during class. Literature courses are about reading. DO NOT FALL BEHIND.
2. Reading quizzes: There will be a series of short quizzes throughout the semester. All quizzes will be based on reading material. There is no make up for missed quizzes. However, I will only count 10 out of 12 quizzes.
3. Group work: In-groups (that I will assign), you will be responsible conducting one oral presentation that will be based on a particular social/cultural issue presented in one of the four novels we will be reading in class. These presentations will require library research—at least 3 scholarly sources. Keep in mind that the grade is given to the group as a single unit. The groups will be organized during the second or third week of class.
4. Writing assignments: There are three short formal analytical essays (3 to 4 pages). I will provide a number of questions for students to select—such question will come from our collective discussions. Essay must be written using MLA format, and they must include a work cited list. Before submitting the first two essays, in a “workshop” day, we work in developing strong thesis and selection of effect textual support. Each paper will be submitted in different due dates—therefore student will be selected as set A or set B and turn in their papers accordingly. See reading schedule for due dates. Also all essays will be submitted electronically via Blackboard.
5. Weekly journal (from 350 to 500 words): These journals are to help you prepare for class discussion and explore ideas useful for the formal essays. These will be electronic journals through Blackboard.
6. Midterm/Final: Both, midterm and final, will follow a traditional literature examination. You need to be able to identify random quotes from the assigned reading material, analyze them, and speak to why they are significant both the text they come from but also to the overall theme of the course. There will be two to three questions in both exams that deal with key historical, literary, and/or theoretical issues.
7. Daily participation in class discussions is expected from every student. In order to ensure that everyone participates, I will deploy a number of discussion techniques throughout the semester. Not to worry none include torture.
GRADING:
3 Short papers (30 points each) 90400 – 360 = A
10 quizzes at 10 points each 100359 – 320 = B
Weekly Journal 50319 – 280 = C
Midterm 50279 – 240 = D
Oral presentation 50Below 239 = F
Final 40
Attendance/Participation 20
Total possible points 400
Reading Schedule/Assignments
August 23: Introduction (hand out of course syllabus, reading schedule, elements of fiction). Film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
August 25: Film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
August 27: Film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
August 30: Finishing viewing What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and discussion
September 1: Hawthorne’s “The Birth-Mark” and Poe’s “The Black Cat”
September 3: James’ “The Real Thing”
September 6: Labor Day. No Class
September 8: Chopin’s “The Strom” and Freeman’s “The Revolt of ‘Mother’”
September 10: Gilman’s “The Yellow Wall-Paper” & Schimid’s Chapter 1
September 13: Porter’s “The Grave” & Schimid’s Chapter 2
September 15: Hurston’s “The Gilded Six-Bits” & Schimid’s Chapter 3
September 17: Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” & Schimid’s Chapter 4
September 20: Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues”
September 22: Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” & Schimid’s Chapter 5
September 24: Workshop Day on Thesis and Supporting Quotes
September 27: Film Smooth Talker
Paper 1 due for Group A
September 29: Film Smooth Talker
Paper 1 due for Group B
October 1: Chopin’s The Awakening (I to X)
October 4: Chopin’s The Awakening (XI to XIX)
October 5: Chopin’s The Awakening (XX to XXXI)
October 6: Chopin’s The Awakening (all)
October 8: Presentation (Group1)—on social/cultural issues presented in The Awakening
October 11: Midterm
October 13: Senna’s Caucasia (up to 61)
October 15: Senna’s Caucasia (up to 125)
October 18: Senna’s Caucasia (up to 187)
October 20: Senna’s Caucasia (up to 253)
October 22: Senna’s Caucasia (up to 315)
October 25: Senna’s Caucasia (up to 347)
October 27: Senna’s Caucasia (up to 413)
October 29: Presentation (Group 2)—on social/cultural issues presented in Caucasia
November 1: Workshop Introduction, Thesis and Evidence
Read: Sáenz’s In Perfect Light (up to 54)
November 3: Sáenz’s In Perfect Light (up to 104)
November 5: Sáenz’s In Perfect Light (up to 153)
November 8: Sáenz’s In Perfect Light (up to 207)
November 10: Sáenz’s In Perfect Light (up to 259)
November 12: Sáenz’s In Perfect Light (up to 326)
November 15: Presentation (Group 3) on social/cultural issues presented in In Perfect Light
Read Ozeki’s All Over Creation (part 1)
November 17: Ozeki’s All Over Creation (part 2)
November 19: Ozeki’s All Over Creation (part 3)
November 22: Ozeki’s All Over Creation (part 4)
November 24: Ozeki’s All Over Creation (part 5)
November 26: Thanksgiving – no class
But read Ruth Ozeki’s All Over Creation (part 6)
November 29: Ozeki’s All Over Creation (part 7)
December 1: Presentation (Group 4)—on social/cultural issues presented in All Over Creation
December 3: Dead Day, no classes
December 6: Final from 10 AM to 12:45 PM
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