2012 english 242 syllabus

8/2/2019 2012 English 242 Syllabus

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English 242: Survey of American Literature IISpring 2012Instructor: Dr. Justin R. WertE-mail: [email protected] Phone: 961-6559Office Location: 214 DickinsonOffice Hours: MW (11:15-1:15); TTH (12:45-2:45); F (11-1)

Required Materials:1) TheNorton Anthology of American Literature. 7th Edition.

Vols. C, D, and E. ISBN#: 978-03939299422) Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston

ISBN#: 978-0061120060

3) God Bless You Mr. Rosewater, Kurt Vonnegut ISBN#: 978-03853334744) A novel of your choicetitles TBA.5) 2 flat folders with pockets (NOT3-ring binders or spiral notebooks or

composition books) with loose-leaf paper

This course has EXTENSIVE READING AND WRITING REQUIREMENTS,including the following items:

We will read 5 book-length works (novels and non-fiction), 28 essaysand stories, and more than 50 poems.

We will write a 7-8 page term paper and 31 reading responses.

Course Description: English 242 provides an introduction to literaturewritten in orabout America from the American Civil War to the present. We will focus on theliterature in two primary waysas windows upon human experience and as works of art:

The first way introduces the literary works as a form of perception and reflection:each work provides a window upon human experience. In other words, the

work reflects the authors perceptions of American history/culture, psychology,social mores, philosophy, and other elements of the American experience.

The second way will develop your ability to understand the literary works as artand to evaluate the works artistic significance, through study/discussion ofcritical perspectives of the works and an authors writing style and his/her

writing and publishing experiences.

The Four Components of the Course:1) Tests (40%)2) Responses to Readings/In-Class Writing (20%)3) Final Exam (20%)4) Term Paper (20%)

1) Tests (40% of final grade): We will have 2 Tests (20% each). Each test will be TBA.

However, the 2 tests will be given at the end of the first 2 readinglists. So when we finish a reading list expect a test at the nextclass.


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2) Responses to Readings/In-Class Writing (20% of final grade) You will respond in writing to numerous essays, letters, poems, stories,

and novels. Most of these reading assignments will require writtenresponses of approximately one page in length. Collect these responses ina flat-pocket folder.

The responses are due in class at the TEST/EXAM the class after

we finish each reading list: 3 reading lists/3 groups ofresponses.

Guidelines for an effective response:1) a paragraph-long summary of the work(an essay, letter, poem,

story, or novel chapter/section) What was it about?2) a page-1 page personal opinion of the work

What are your thoughts about the work? I will read through these assignments and make some comments on them,

butI will not put a letter grade on these. They will be satisfactory (full-credit), partially satisfactory (1/2 credit) or unsatisfactory (no credit),considering the quality and quantity of each response.

Note: if you complete allassignments satisfactorily (31 out of 31assignments), you will earn 20% of your final semester grade.

On the other hand, not completing enough of the assignmentswill adversely affect your grade.

3) Final Exam (20% of final grade) There will be a Final Exam counting 20% of your final grade. This exam

will cover the material on Reading List #3.

The Final Exam is: Friday, May 4, 11:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m.

4) Term Paper (20% of final grade)

A 7-8 page term paper will be due sometime before the final exam.Topics, expectations, and due date of paper T.B.A.

Attendance: You are allowed a total of five (5) absences over the course ofthe semester: this includes both excused and unexcused absences. DO NOT USE UP

YOUR ABSENCES EARLY IN THE SEMESTER, or you will find yourself in a badsituation toward the end of the semester.

Each class I will pass around a roll sheet that you must sign in order to be counted aspresent that day. Six (6) absences or more: 10 points off of your final semester grade for each

absence. If you have a serious illness and miss too many classes, it would be wise to

withdraw from the class.

Class Conduct: No computer or cell-phone use in class! When in class havethe courtesy to turn these items off.

Last day for withdrawal: Thurs. Feb. 2nd(for refund); Mon. Mar. 26th (toavoid grade penalty)


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Tardiness: Do not be chronically late to class. In other words, don't make being latea habit. Those who are late must remember to sign the roll sheet, or you will be countedabsent. After ten minutes, you will be counted absent. Note: I will give all tests andin-class writing assignments at the beginning of class.

Late Papers: All written assignments (the Term Paper and Reading Responses) must

be turned in on the day they are due. Late papers will be penalized10 pts. for each day late. Any graded essay that is turned in after class, sometime later the same day it is due,

will count as day late or 5 points off.

Paper Submission: The Term Paper and all out-of-class Reading Responses must be typed in 12-

point type size and double-spaced.

In-class Reading Responses will be hand written. You must use 1 margins on both the right and left sides. The Term Paper and Reading Responses must be in a pocket folder (see

Required Materials) when handed in. For the term paper, you must

turn in copies of your sources, a peer review sheet and a rough draftwith your final draft.

DO NOT SEND PAPERS BY E-MAIL! I will not accept e-mailsubmissions of papers.

Missed Assignments and Materials: You are responsible for all missedassignments and materials. I would advise that you find a classmate with whom you canexchange materials in the event either of you miss class. Please contact me, however, if

you are unable to get materials from another student, or if you know in advance that youwill miss a class.

Students with Disabilities: If you are a student with a disability who needs

classroom accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are requiredto meet with the Disability Support Services Counselor, Susan Hannifan to requestaccommodations. Her office is located in Rm. 132, The Counseling Center. Phone: 961-5281, Email: [email protected] receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper forms andmeet with me at the beginning of the semester.

Conferences: I have regular office hours during which I am available for conferencesconcerning your writing/academic progress. If you cannot meet me during my officehours, we can set up an appointment.

Unauthorized Borrowing (Plagiarism): Using others' words or ideas in your

papers without proper acknowledgmentor any other form of academic dishonestywillnot be tolerated. Plagiarism is a serious offense. Papers that plagiarize another persons work will receive an F (0).

PVCC Academic Dishonesty Policy: Piedmont Virginia Community College sets highstandards for academic integrity, and takes academic dishonesty very seriously. Thefollowing misconduct is considered an honor offense and is subject to disciplinaryaction: cheating, plagiarism, knowingly furnishing false information to the college orinstructors, and the forgery, alteration or use of college documents or instruments of


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identification with the intent to defraud. Students are advised that a written summary ofthis violation and the resulting penalty will be placed in the students official collegerecord. After one year of no further occurrences, the student may request that the Deanof Student Services remove the statement from the official record.

Grades:

Grades are earned, not given. Your Final Semester Grade will be based upon your work in four aspects of the

class: 40% for Tests;20% for Responses;20% for Final Exam and20%forthe Term Paper.

Grading scale: A=90-100; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F=59 and below.

The Writing Center & Smarthinking.com Tutoring: The PVCC Writing Center offers supplemental instruction and tutoring in

writing to all PVCC students in any discipline. Staffed by PVCC Englishinstructors and trained tutors, the WC works with students at any stage in the

writing processgetting started; getting unstuck; or developing, organizing, orrevising a draft.

The WC is open Monday through Thursday from 9 to 6, Friday from 9 to 1, andSaturdays by appointment. You can walk in or make an appointment by going toour website:http://www.pvcc.edu/.

Smarthinking.com: Students may also submit an essay to our online tutoringpartner, Smarthinking.com for feedback within 24 hours. To submit anessay, go to www.smarthinking.com. For the username, enter VCCSemail [[email protected]] and the password pvcc1972. Then,click on the Submit an Essay button. For further information, contactJenny Koster, the Writing Center Coordinator, at [email protected] or434.961.5478.
https://pv-exchange.pvcc.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.pvcc.edu/.https://pv-exchange.pvcc.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.pvcc.edu/.https://pv-exchange.pvcc.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.pvcc.edu/.https://pv-exchange.pvcc.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.pvcc.edu/.

2012 english 242 syllabus

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