American Novel to 1900
M 4:00-6:45 PM
Jerome Richfield Hall, 204
Professor Robert Oscar Lopez
722 Sierra Tower
818-677-3415
rolopez@csun.edu
http://textontrial.blogspot.com
Office Hours: Monday 12:30-1:30, Tuesdays 1:00-4:00
I. Overview
In this class we will examine the development of the American novel as a tradition marked by (1) genre, (2) historical context, and (3) sociocultural influences. Important will be the examination of the novel as a marker of vast economic changes in the United States before and after the Civil War. By the end of the course, students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of major authorial figures such as Hawthorne, Twain, and Chopin; students will also illustrate their ability to articulate the generic, historical, and sociocultural dimensions of the American novel; lastly, students will need to show that they can communicate these forms of knowledge to a general audience through multimedia formats, in a way that interests and engages public discourse.
II. Course Requirements
Course grades will be based on a total of 1,000 possible points, with the following letter grades equivalent to each of the point totals below:
A: 940-1000
A-: 900-939
B+: 870-899
B: 840-869
B-: 800-839
C+: 770-799
C: 740-769
C-: 700-739
D+: 670-699
D: 640-669
D-: 600-639
F: 0-599
Below is a summary of the major course requirements and the course policies on "extra credit" and "paper revisions."
1. Paper #1 -- Research Essay, 8-10 pages (300 points)
On March 1, the professor will post 12 essay questions about the authors from the first half of the course. The essay questions will oblige students to do extensive research, both into scholarly sources ("A level" sources) and current events editorial sources ("B level sources"). Students will have until March 24 to do preliminary research into these topics and identify good sources. On Monday, March 25, 2013, students will roll dice in class to see which topic they must submit a paper on. They will have seven days, until Monday, April 1, 2013, at 11:59 PM to turn in the final version of their paper on Moodle.
Students must consult the links on the professor's instructional home page, entitled "Schema of Appropriate Research Sources" and "Grading Rubric," as well as the universal study guide, prior to turning in their final paper. To satisfy the requirements for the research essay, students will have to draw from the 101 approved current-events sources indicated in the lower right-hand screen of the professor's home page (http://textontrial.blogspot.com).
Be advised that any Turnitin report that shows multiple sentence matches with improperly cited or verboten outside sources will result in students being referred to the Student Affairs office for investigation into academic dishonesty. The professor will observe all university guidelines regarding academic dishonesty and student misconduct.
If students submit papers in a timely manner but basic requirements for the paper are not met (for example, the minimum page requirement without frivolous formatting, the number of sources, etc.), then students will receive a zero and must submit a revision for the paper. The professor cannot guarantee when revised submissions will be graded. Papers turned in after the deadline are not eligible for revisions.
Students who are absent the day of rolling dice will have to wait until the following class meeting to be assigned their question.
2. Paper #2 -- Close Reading Essay, 7-9 pages (300 points)
The second half of the course will culminate in a close reading paper, in which students will be forbidden from using any outside sources. They must limit themselves to the texts themselves in order to present a thesis. The topic will take shape through a series of in-class exercises.
Be advised that any Turnitin report that shows multiple sentence matches with improperly cited or verboten outside sources will result in students being referred to the Student Affairs office for investigation into academic dishonesty. The professor will observe all university guidelines regarding academic dishonesty and student misconduct.
Since this paper is due Wednesday, May 1, very close to final exam periods, there shall be no revision opportunities for this paper. Papers cannot be accepted after 11:59 PM on May 1.
3. Attendance and Participation (200 pts.)
It is crucial that students come to class on time and bring their reading with them. Roll will be called at some point during the scheduled class time, and students not present for the roll will be marked absent. No accommodation will be given to students who are not in the classroom when roll is called.
Students are entitled to miss two (2) classes before being penalized on their participation grade. Each absence after the second absence will result in students losing fifty (50) points from their participation grade, which can only be made up by submitting a three-page paper, which shall be graded and corrected. This policy applies whether or not students have legal excuses to be absent; the purpose is to make up for the knowledge lost from absence, by having the students write a paper as compensation.
Students who are often unprepared in class, who disrupt class activities, or who avoid participation in discussion, will receive a lower base participation grade depending on how often their performance appears weak.
4. Multimedia Work (200 pts.)
This spring, thanks to grants from various outside sources, the professor will be organizing the second half of an interdisciplinary film series, called Myth Goes to the Movies. Students will produce exhibits, in groups or as individuals (according to students' wishes), drawing connections between the texts covered in class and films released in 1963. To fulfill this requirement, students must collaborate on one (1) film exhibit/event. Below are the dates and times for the three film showings. Since all events are free and open to the public, it is perfectly acceptable for students to bring loved ones or children to events, so they should not worry about child care. Note that due to scheduling conflicts, only one of these films is going to be shown during the meeting time for English 477. It is crucial that students identify a feasible event, which does not conflict with work or other CSUN classes. Students will be graded on crafstmanship (50 pts), understanding of thematic connections (50 pts), ability to convey meaning to observers (50 pts), and use of multiple genres (50 pts).
Hud -- Monday, February 25, 2012, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World -- Wednesday, March 27, 4:00-7:00 pm
Tom Jones -- Friday, April 26, 4:00-7:30 pm
5. Extra Credit (0 pts.)
The only extra credit available to students this semester is the following: If students attend a film showing other than the one for which they are presenting an exhibit, and if they assist in some small way in organizing the event (picking up food, ushering, etc.), they will receive 25 points extra credit. They may do this for up to 2 films, but only if they have avoided conflicts with other CSUN obligations, such as classes.
III. Budgeting
To avoid burdensome costs on students, I am allowing students to use whichever version of major texts such as "Coquette" they can find. Students are encouraged to look up many texts with the Los Angeles Public Library.
Students should anticipate some costs and labor time associated with their final exhibits, however. Past exhibits have cost students between $30 and $70. The professor will make all due efforts to coordinate among students so that the costs can be shared equally.
IV. Schedule of Reading
Jan. 22 -- Introduction, Artwork and visual life
Jan. 28 -- The Coquette
Feb. 4 -- "Rip van Winkle" and "Young Goodman Brown"
Feb. 11 -- "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Fall of the House of Usher"
Feb. 13 -- House of the Seven Gables
Feb. 18 -- House of the Seven Gables
Feb. 25 -- Confidence-Man
March 4 -- Confidence-Man
March 11 -- Israel Potter
March 18 -- "Life in the Iron Mills"
March 20 -- Daisy Miller
March 25 -- Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant (excerpts)
April 1 -- Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
April 8-13 -- Spring Break
April 15 -- Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
April 22 -- Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
April 29 -- Sport of the Gods
May 6 -- The Awakening
No Final Exam
Last modif
