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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 315"
COURSE NAME: "Selected Topics in American Literature: Hemingway"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2019
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Silvia Ammary
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 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:

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.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Course Objectives:

  1. Analyze the modernist style of Hemingway and his contribution to American literature.
  2. Underscore the limitations of Hemingway’s art and techniques.
  3. Compare and contrast some of the social and psychological themes and literary images developed in Hemingway’s novels and short stories.
  4. Evaluate samples of literary criticism by commenting on the intellectual rigor, bias and style of each critic.
  5. Identify selected excerpts and comment on their significance.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Course Objectives:

  1. Analyze the modernist style of Hemingway and his contribution to American literature.
  2. Underscore the limitations of Hemingway’s art and techniques.
  3. Compare and contrast some of the social and psychological themes and literary images developed in Hemingway’s novels and short stories.
  4. Evaluate samples of literary criticism by commenting on the intellectual rigor, bias and style of each critic.
  5. Identify selected excerpts and comment on their significance.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Paper (2500-3000) 30%
   
   
presentation (min 40 minutes) 20%
final exam  25%
4 short paper (1000 each) 25%

-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 cours
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:

Course Objectives:

  1. Analyze the modernist style of Hemingway and his contribution to American literature.
  2. Underscore the limitations of Hemingway’s art and techniques.
  3. Compare and contrast some of the social and psychological themes and literary images developed in Hemingway’s novels and short stories.
  4. Evaluate samples of literary criticism by commenting on the intellectual rigor, bias and style of each critic.
  5. Identify selected excerpts and comment on their significance.
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.
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.

SCHEDULE

Week 1-3:  Syllabus/assigning presentations

                Modernism

                Hemingway’s Life: Biography.

                Short stories:

               “Cat in the Rain”. P.127

               “Indian Camp” p.67

               “The Doctor and the Doctor’s wife”, p.71,    

               “The Killers” p.215”

               “In Another Country” p. 206

Week 3-4: The African Stories: The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber, p.5, The Snows of Kilimanjaro p. 39

Week 5-6: The Sun Also Rises (1926)

Week 7-9: Farwell to Arms(1928)

Week 10-12: For Whom the Bell Tolls(1928)

Week 12-14: The Old Man and the Sea(1940)

Review

Final Exam

Presentations:

Each student is expected to read all the assigned material and to come to class prepared to engage in discussions and to answer any quiz questions, so each student is required to read all the novels and criticism assigned  on every lecture. In addition, at the beginning of the course, each student will be assigned a presentation on one aspect in one of the 4 novels and will assume the responsibility of leading the class in discussions that will allow students to comprehend the most important elements in each novel.

 To make their presentations worthwhile, students are requested to research and write an essay (research paper) of about 2500-3500 words on the novel they are presenting. The research paper is due the same day of the presentation. It should be double-spaced, typed with proper margins and it should follow the MLA standard of citation and in-text documentation. The presentations are at least 40 minutes long.

Plagiarism:

A student who commits an act of plagiarism or academic dishonesty is subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the university. Plagiarism includes any use of another’s ideas, words, or created product without crediting the source. Any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. If the work is of major significance in the course, then this may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course.