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Course
Description and Objectives: English 332 examines, through
literature, "the cultural position of women in the United
States, emphasizing ethnic and class diversity of women as writers
and subjects for literature, and examining the entrance of women
into literature as a vocation" (Course Description,
1997). In this course, we will examine these aspects of American
literature by looking at a variety of works spanning a period
of time from the 17th century until the late 20th century. While
we will explore works from throughout the history of American
literature, this particular course will emphasize literature
written by women within the last decade. This class is designated
as a writing emphasis course, so we will approach our study of
this literature through a variety of writing assignments. However,
you should be able to use the various assignments to help you
study for exams, as well as generate ideas for your essays. In
other words, the out-of-class quizzes, peer group discussions,
and the review are not independent exercises, but preparation
for those assignments that carry greater point values.
Exams: There will be three exams in this class. Each exam will require you to identify quotes from the works and explain their significance, respond with short answers to key terms from the reading, and answer an out-of class essay question and/or questions on the reading. No make-up exams will be given. Essays: There will be two essays in the class. Each essay will be an analytical essay that discusses one or more of the works read in the course. The first paper will be a short essay (3-5 pages); the second paper will be a longer essay (7-8 pages). Students are encouraged, but not required, to submit rough drafts; drafts submitted on or before the dates listed in the syllabus will receive written feedback. You will be given an assignment sheet for each of these papers in advance of their due date. In addition, you may find that the out-of-class quiz questions and the group discussions are good places to discover ideas of interest to you. Quizzes: There will be two kinds of quizzes in this course: pop-quizzes and out-of-class, mini-essays. The pop quizzes will be unannounced and given at the beginning of class; they will ask you to respond with short answers to questions about the reading assignment for that day. The mini-essay quizzes will be given out at least one class period prior to their due date and will ask you to write a response, in a short essay format, to one of several questions on the reading assigned (they are due at the beginning of class). These quizzes can be used to help generate ideas for both the essay questions on the exam and your papers. No make-up quizzes will be given, and no late quizzes will be accepted for credit. However, you will be allowed to drop your two lowest quiz grades. Peer Group Discussions: We will have a number of in-class peer group discussions of the material. Students will be asked to get in groups and answer questions and/or discuss problematic aspects of the work and/or works read for that day. The nature of this assignment makes it impossible to give make-ups, so it is important for you to be in class everyday. Review: There is one review of a non-written text in this course; this review is intended to provide additional information about the works, authors, or subject matter of this course. You will be given an assignment sheet for the review well in advance of the due date; this assignment sheet will contain a list of material approved for this assignment. In addition, I have scheduled a showing of an interview with Toni Morrison that can be used to fulfill this assignment. Academic Honesty: Any student found engaging in an act of academic dishonesty will receive a 0 on the assignment and will be subject to the appropriate disciplinary action as determined by the University. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following: Plagiarism presenting someone else's words or ideas as your own (this includes biographical info and/or facts about the author and/or their work); Collusion allowing other people to write, to revise, or to alter significantly the text of a paper that is supposed to be yours alone.
Additional
information on what constitutes academic dishonesty and its consequences
can be found in Hilltopics. To prevent being charged with
academic dishonesty, you should document your use of any source
material, whether you are actually quoting that material or you
are taking ideas, biographical information or facts from the
author and putting them into your own words. If you need help
while you are working on a paper, then you should set up an appointment
to meet with your instructor or go to the Writing Center (HSS
211) for help. The Writing Center tutors are trained to help
you to help yourself; they can provide the additional help you
may need without crossing the boundary of too much help, or collusion,
as may sometimes happen when people get help from friends or
family.
Point Totals for Final Grade: A=1000-900pts./ B+= 899-880pts./ B= 879-800pts./ C+=799-780pts./ C= 779-700pts./ D= 699-600pts./ F= 599 & below. Schedule of Assignments:2
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1 Additional times are available upon request. I am on campus every day and am available to meet with you at times other than those listed above. However, you will need to schedule an appointment with me at least 24 hours in advance. 2This schedule is tentative and subject to change. Return to 332 home page |