EL 267: American Literature 1915-Present
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Catalog Description: "Traces the emergence of multiple perspectives in twentieth century U.S. literature. Examines the ways fiction, poetry and drama represent an increasing diversity of voices, with an emphasis on contemporary novels by writers from various cultural groups. Spring semester. Satisfies the U.S. Cultures requirement of the Liberal Arts Core."
Note: The online version of the syllabus is always the "official" version; the printed version I distribute on the first day of classes will quickly become outdated as the online version develops.
1. When, Where & Who
- Th: 6-8:30PM, M228
- Dennis G. Jerz
- (The shorter address you see in the SHU directory will also work.)
- St. Joseph Hall 403
- Phone: x1909 or 724.830.1909
- Office Hours
- Mon 12N-1PM
- Tue 3:30-4:30
- Wed 11-12PM
- Also by appointment
- SHU Cancellation line: 724.830.1000
2. Course Objectives
At the end of this course, you should be able to
- Deeply and critically read complex literary texts
- Demonstrate familiarity with the social and political forces shaping American culture during the time period
- Use textual evidence to support your claims in oral and informal written discussion of assigned texts, without dismissing or oversimplifying views which differ from yours
- Demonstrate the ability to engage intellectually with your peers
- Write a college-level research paper that appropriately uses primary and secondary sources (including basic literary theory)
Major themes in this course will include gender, class, idealism, ethnicity & race, and materialism. Critical approaches will include Feminism, Marxism, Freudianism, Modernism, and Post-modernism.
3. Course Format
Lecture-discussion, with an online component involving student weblogs (online journals). Students will read representative literary texts (prose, verse, and drama), discuss them as a class, in small groups, and via their weblogs.
4. Course Requirements
Attendance
If you only attend 90% of the classes, I will multiply your final grade by 90%. Our class meets 14 times; that works out to about 7% per missed class, or 2/3 of a letter grade. I will count late arrivals and early departures as partial absences.
If you plan to be absent for a university-sponsored activity, please fill out a Absence Form at least two weeks in advance, in order to request permission to be excused. (You must present a plan for how you plan to make up for the work you missed.)
Fill out the same form if you have a sudden emergency that requires you to be absent.
At the end of the term, I will look at the absences in my book and compare the Absence Forms that are on file to determine how to calculate your final grade. If I don't have an accepted absence form from you for a date you missed class, I will assume your absence is unexcused.
Participation
Regular participation in class discussions is a requirement for the course.
Texts
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Additional texts are online. Please bring to class PRINTOUS of all literary texts that we discuss in class. (I may place supplemental texts on Library E-Reserve; you don't need to print those out.)
Grading
Assignments
- Exercises (15%)
- Quizzes (15%)
- Short Research Paper (10%)
- Term Paper (20%)
- Weblog (15%)
- Portfolio I: 5%
- Portfoilo II: 10%
- Oral Presentation (10%)
- Final Exam (15%)
- Participation (I may raise or lower your final mark by 7%)
Deadline Policies
Papers are either on time, delayed, or late.
On Time
Papers that are ready when I collect them at the beginning of class receive a 1/3 letter grade "Decorum Bonus." Minor annoyances such as loose pages, smudged printouts or crumpled corners may forfeit the bonus.
Delayed
If your submission is not ready when I collect the others, the assignment not only loses the decorum bonus, it provisionally drops one letter grade.
If you put your paper in an envelope and slide it under my office door before I arrive at work on Friday, I will probably waive the penalty (but I won't restore the bonus).
Late
If you can get your late paper to me by Wednesday morning, I'll accept it without further penalty. Papers that are a week late earn half credit; at the two-week mark, the assignment will be recorded as a zero.
(In the event of a severe illness or prolonged emergency, I will of course consider alternative arrangements.)
If you are absent from or very late to class (without an approved excuse) on a day when a major assignment is due, the assignment will be counted as late.
University Statements
Disability
If you have a disability that may require consideration by the instructor, you should contact the Coordinator of Disabled Student Services at 724-838-4295 or bassi@setonhill.edu. It is recommended that this be accomplished by the second week of class. It is not necessary to disclose to your instructor the nature of your disability. If you need accommodations for successful participation in class activities prior to your appointment at the Disabled Students Services Office, you should offer information in writing which includes suggestions for assistance in participating in and completing class assignments.
Academic Dishonesty
Seton Hill University expects that all its students will practice academic honesty and ethical conduct. The University regards plagiarism, cheating on examinations, falsification of papers, non-sanctioned collaboration, and misuse or illegal use of library material, computer material, or any other material, published or unpublished, as violations of academic honesty.
Detailed Schedule
| Week 1 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 12 Jan |
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| 13 Jan |
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| 14 Jan |
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| 15 Jan |
Introduction & Historical Context "Bernice Bobs Her Hair" (video; watch in class) Preview "Ex 1" (due next week) Introduction to Weblogs (online journals) |
| 16 Jan |
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| Week 2 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 19 Jan |
Take the Day On |
| 20 Jan |
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| 21 Jan |
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| 22 Jan |
Reading (completed before class)
Due: Ex 1
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| 23 Jan |
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| Week 3 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 26 Jan |
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| 27 Jan |
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| 28 Jan |
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| Poetry: Readings
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| 30 Jan |
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| Week 4 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 02 Feb |
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| 03 Feb |
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| 04 Feb |
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| 05 Feb |
The Great Gatsby Q1 (readings so far, including all of Gatsby) |
| 06 Feb |
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| Week 5 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 09 Feb |
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| 10 Feb |
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| 11 Feb |
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| 12 Feb |
The Great Gatsby (continued) Due: Blog Portfolio 1 Due "Ex 2: Paper Drafting Worksheet" |
| 13 Feb |
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| Week 6 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 16 Feb |
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| 17 Feb |
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| 18 Feb |
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| 19 Feb |
Watch Video: The Cradle Will Rock Due: 2 Copies of Paper 1 Draft |
| 20 Feb |
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| Break |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 23 Feb |
Spring Break |
| 24 Feb |
Spring Break |
| 25 Feb |
Spring Break |
| 26 Feb |
Spring Break |
| 27 Feb |
Spring Break |
| Week 7 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 01 Mar |
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| 02 Mar |
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| 03 Mar |
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| 04 Mar |
Waiting for Lefty O! Pyramids (handout) Q2 (assigned texts so far) Due "Ex 3: Paper 1 Peer Review" |
| 05 Mar |
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| Week 8 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 08 Mar |
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| 09 Mar |
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| 10 Mar |
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| 11 Mar |
A Streetcar Named Desire Due: Paper 1 |
| 12 Mar |
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| Week 9 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 15 Mar |
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| 16 Mar |
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| 17 Mar |
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| 18 Mar |
A Streetcar Named Desire (cont’d) Additional readings TBA Due: Blog Portfolio I |
| 19 Mar |
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| Week 10 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 22 Mar |
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| 23 Mar |
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| 24 Mar |
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| 25 Mar |
The Secret Life of Bees Q3 (assigned texts so far) Preview Ex 4: "ALL-AMERICAN POETRY COVER SLAM" (Jerz in San Antonio) |
| 26 Mar |
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| Week 11 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 29 Mar |
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| 30 Mar |
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| 31 Mar |
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| 1 Apr |
The Secret Life of Bees Due: "Ex 4, Part I" (prep for your oral interpretation of poetry) |
| 2 Apr |
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| Week 12 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 5 Apr |
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| 6 Apr |
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| 7 Apr |
Easter Break |
| 8 Apr |
Easter Break |
| 9 Apr |
Easter Break |
| Week 12 (cont’d) |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 12 Apr |
Easter Break |
| 13 Apr |
Easter Break |
| 14 Apr |
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| 15 Apr |
ALL-AMERICAN COVER POETRY SLAM Due: Ex 4, Oral Interpretation of Poetry Due: Paper 2 Thesis Paragraph & Works Cited List |
| 16 Apr |
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| Week 13 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 19 Apr |
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| 20 Apr |
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| 21 Apr |
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| 22 Apr |
Pattern Recognition Q4 (Readings so far) Due: Blog Portfolio II Instructor/Course Evaluation |
| 23 Apr |
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| Week 14 |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 26 Apr |
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| 27 Apr |
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| 28 Apr |
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| 29 Apr |
Discuss: Pattern Recognition Due "Ex 5: Gibson response paper" Due: Paper 2 |
| 30 Apr |
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| Finals |
EL 236 (Th) |
| 3 May |
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| 4 May |
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| 5 May |
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| 6 May |
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| 7 May |
Date of final exam TBA
