美國文學

In this survey of American literature from colonial times through the present, we will read and discuss poetry, fiction, drama, and philosophical essays. The course explores literature in part in terms of how it provides a genealogy of thought, an intellectual history of an influential democracy (that has inspired ideologically diverse revolutions around the world). Its ongoing problems with inequity, slavery and its legacies, are also a recurring topic. Many of the works included in this survey course speak to political questions that help one better understand why America is what it is today, with special attention to questions of social injustices against minorities including African Americans, Asian Americans, GLBTQs, differently-abled persons, the poor and disenfranchised, and even drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes, trafficking victims, and homeless people—all reflecting issues facing America (and often the world) today.

Students should have advanced proficiency in reading, writing, and oral communication in English. Non-majors are now encouraged to enroll.

1. Plagiarism—copying (copying and pasting) or just paraphrasing) the words 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, which may be in the form of questions and speculation. 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: 200 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, only providing minimal necessary background information on authors and contexts.

Grading A student is marked absent for the day (-2 from final grade) and will have the participation grade (50% of course grade) lowered if: --Reading texts on cell phones (not acceptable!) (Reading texts in print or on computers and tablets are all acceptable.) --Using computers/cell phones etc. in class for non-class work (besides during announced breaks); note that we do not always follow the clock and bells. --Students not bringing the text of the day to class. You cannot study literature by listening to a lecture; you must engage the texts. 1. (1) Ongoing, constant, and consistent participation in discussions and debates (asking and answering questions); (2) response comments and questions (turned in at beginning of class); AND (3) possible pop essay quizzes (when students seem to not have read the assigned readings for the day): 50% 2. Midterm exam: 25% 3. Final exam: 25% 4. 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). 5. Students found reading non-class-related texts or computers or cell phones, will have points deducted from the final grade (-2, as if absent that day). Students can make up these lost points by answering questions in class. In addition to taking good notes, you should mark up and annotate your texts to better grasp them (whether digital or printed).

Required: Richard Wright, Black Boy (any edition)

地點

HC415

時間

Wed (3) EFG, and by appointment

聯絡方式

brink@nycu.edu.tw x58115