美國文學(一)

In this survey of American literature from colonial times through Emily Dickinson, we will read and discuss poetry, fiction, and essays. Since this literature appears in the formative era of the United States, many of the works speak to political questions that help one better understand why America is what it is today.

Course open only to DFLL students (majors and minors) or by special permission (limited). Students should have advanced proficiency in reading, writing, and oral communication in English.

1. Plagiarism—copying (copying and pasting) the words or paraphrasing of others without putting them in quotations or acknowledging the source—will result in a zero grade. (This is true even on exams, if information has been memorized with minimal comprehension of the materials.) Be original by referring to multiple sources and synthesizing materials in ways that you devise. 2. Skipping class for 3 or more times with no official approval or proof from a hospital will result in failure of this course. All absences are subject to a -2 deduction from the final grade. Excused absences may be made up by writing an original essay on a topic arranged with the consent of the professor. 3. At the beginning of each class, students will turn in a response to the week's readings. The response must be thoughtful, original writing, typed and printed out on a full sheet of paper (A4). Late responses will not be accepted (6 minutes after class starts is considered late). Minimum length: 150 words. Be sure to include your English and Chinese names and student number. Since some weeks have multiple readings, I leave it to students to decide how to organize their responses. 4. Midterm and final exams include vocabulary (from the readings); identification (title and author); analysis and interpretation of imagery and structures, metaphors and allusions; essay questions (primarily on issues raised in class); and definition of technical terminology (literary terms and interdisciplinary borrowings). 5. Students will present individually (10 minutes maximum per student) and are graded individually; however, the work is divided within groups (one group for each day, usually). Presentation must focus on close reading of texts, not only providing background information on authors and contexts.

Grading 1. Class participation in dialogue (answering questions), and possible pop quizzes: 25% (graded on a point system of subtraction for non-presence when called upon to ask a question, or being unable to answer questions due to lack of preparation). I may call on anyone at any time. 2. Individual presentations (arranged in groups) (10%) and individual weekly responses to readings (15%): 25% 3. Midterm exam: 25% 4. Final exam: 25% 5. Attendance (absences subtracted from final grade: -2/absence). More than three absences automatically results in failing grade. Even excused absences must be made up by extra assignments (see professor for details if you find yourself in this situation).

Required: The Norton Anthology of American Literature: Beginnings to 1865. Shorter Tenth Edition. (Print edition.)

地點

HC415

時間

Wed (3) EFG, by appointment.

聯絡方式

interpoetics@gmail.com x58115