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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 315"
COURSE NAME: "Selected Topics in American Literature"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Silvia Ammary
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 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:

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course provides a deep investigation into some of the most important American novels in the 20th century. The period between 1920 and 1940 was a time of innovation in the American Novel as well as a time of historical transformation in America, so the course will concentrate on the formal changes in the genre through the social and cultural issues raised by the literature. Students will explore these novels in discussions about the novelists’ Modernist techniques and ideas through analyses of characters, plots and the larger issue of themes, key passages, settings and structures. A major concern of this course will be to discuss the ways in which the forms of American modern fiction as well as the treatment of class, work and family are implicated in the wider American cultural climate and context. A major focus of this course is to help students see the ways in which the forms of American modern fiction as well as the treatment of class, work and family are implicated in the wider American cultural climate and context.


LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1.     Analyse the characters and modes of dramatization of some representative fiction written in the United States in the 20th century.

2.     Describe different narrative techniques used by those selected American writers of the period.

3.     Compare and contrast some of the social and psychological themes and literary images developed by those fiction writers.

4.     Analyse the links between American literature and American society with respect to political advocacy, explicit or implicit criticism of middle-class values, and the persistent invocation of the American dream.

5.     Evaluate samples of literary criticism by commenting on the intellectual rigor, bias and style of each critic.

Identify selected excerpts and comment on their significance.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
A Farewell to ArmsErnest Hemingway Scribner 0684801469     
The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck penguin0142000663     
The Great GatsbyScott Fitzgerald Scribner 978-0-7432-9733-2     
The Sound and the FuryWilliam Faulkner vintage0679732241     
The Sun Also Rises Ernest HemingwayScribner 978-0-7432-9733-2     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
One big research paper (2000-2500 words) Papers should be typed and follow MLA style guidelines and include secondary sources. 20%
Oral presentationStudents will do a visual and oral presentation which will provide historical context to our reading for the week. The preentation is 20-25 minutes long.15%
AttendanceAttendance is mandatory and does not contribute to participation grades. Participation involves class collaboration and demonstration that students have read and engaged with the material.5%
3 shorter papers (800-1000 each)The papers will tackle specific aspects of the novels30%(10% each)
QuizzesThere will be bi-weekly quizzes to check reading 5%
Final ExamOpen book format25%

-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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
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

 

SCHEDULE

Week 1

Introduction to the course and its requirements

Modernism

Week 2 and 3

The Great Gatsby

First short paper due

Week 4 and 5

The Sun Also Rises

Week 6 and 7

A Farewell to Arms

Second short paper due

Week 8 -10

The Sound and the Fury

Third short paper due

Week 11 and 13

The Grapes of Wrath

Week 13

Big paper due

Things settled and unsettled

Final exam