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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 315 H"
COURSE NAME: "Selected Topics in American Literature: American Drama after 1945 - HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2019
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Lewis Samuel Klausner
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 3:00-4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above.
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course explores in some depth a particular period, theme(s), or genre in American Literature. Students study the major historical and cultural contexts out of which the works grew. An important aim of the course is to deepen students' knowledge of a certain topic through a choice of representative writers and works.
May be taken more than once for credit with different topics.
This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 300-level literature classes are required to produce 5-6,000 words of critical writing.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
We will be reading 5 recent American plays. We will pay,analyze the plays in terms of literary character, but also place the plays within relevant historical, social, and literary contexts. We will talk aobut how these plays engage contemporary issues of race, sexuality, socio-economic class, and contemporary politics. We will look at performances of the plays, usually on DVD, talking about how performance can interpret and shape our understanding of plays.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will have increased awareness and knowledge of contemporary American drama. Students will hone their ability to think, talk, and write analytically about drama and the issues these plays address.
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TEXTBOOK:
Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
Angels in America | Tony Kushner | xxxxxxx | xxxxxxxxxxxxx | | | | | |
Glengarry Glen Ross | David Mamet | cccccccccc | xxxxxxxxxxxxx | | | | | |
Sweat | Lynn Nottage | xxxxxx | vvvvvvvvvvvvv | | | | | |
True West | Sam Shepard | dsdseg | xxxxxxxxxxxxx | | | | | |
Fences | August Wilson | edfwe | 32352efwefwetg | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
Paper One | Like other students in EN 315, students taking EN 315 for credit will have to write 3 papers and take two exams. In addition, students taking the course for honors credit will have to submit, along with their analytical papers, a two to three page summary of the critical literature that already exists about the plays we are talking about. This will be based on scholarly articles, but also reviews of the plays. | 20 |
Paper Two | | 20 |
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Midterm Exam | | 20 |
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Paper Three | | 20 |
Final Exam | | 20 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course. BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings. DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail. FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Only three absences are allowed before reduction of grade. This is a course based on class participation.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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This is a tentative schedule that reflects the plays I currently think we are going to read and the amount of time I think we will spend on them. The schedule will likely change before the beginning of the semester.
Week One
True West by Sam Shepard
Week Two
True West
Week Three
Angels in America, by Tony Kushner Part 1
Week Four
Angels in America Parts 1 and 2
Week Five
Angels in America Part 2
Week Six
Fences by August Wilson
Week Seven
Fences by August Wilson
Midterm Exam
Week Eight
Sweat by Lynn Nottage
Week Nine
Sweat
Week Ten
Fires in the Mirror by Anne Deveare Smith
Week Eleven
Fires in the Mirror
Week Twelve
Glengarry Glenross by David Mamet
Week Thirteen
Glengarry Glenross
Week Fourteen
Review
Final Exam
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