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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 315H"
COURSE NAME: "Selected Topics in American Literature : Toni Morrison (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Carlos Dews
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 6:00PM 7:15PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above.
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment
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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. The course may be taken more than once for credit with different topics. As an honors course, students in this section of the course are required to do additional work (a much-longer seminar presentation and a much-longer term paper) to receive honors credit. Honors students will write 25-30 page term papers and make one-hour seminar presentations.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course considers the major works of Toni Morrison as well as the critical responses to her work.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students completing this course will be familiar with the major work of Toni Morrison and the critical issues relevant to their study.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison | Vintage | 9780099759911 | | This book is available at the Almost Corner Bookshop, Via del Moro 45, Trastevere. | | | |
| Paradise | Toni Morrison | Vintage | 9780099768210 | | This book is available at the Almost Corner Bookshop, Via del Moro 45, Trastevere. | | | |
| Jazz | Toni Morrison | Vintage | 9780099750918 | | This book is available at the Almost Corner Bookshop, Via del Moro 45, Trastevere. | | | |
| Beloved | Toni Morrison | Vintage | 9780099760115 | | This book is available at the Almost Corner Bookshop, Via del Moro 45, Trastevere. | | | |
| Song of Solomon | Toni Morrison | Vintage | 9780099768418 | | This book is available at the Almost Corner Bookshop, Via del Moro 45, Trastevere. | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Participation | | 20 |
| Term Paper | | 50 |
| Presentation | | 30 |
-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:
Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings and to participate in all classroom activities. Students are allowed only two absences (no questions asked, no excuse needed). However, each additional absence beyond the two allowed will result in the significant reduction in the final grade for the course. Students with more than five absences will fail the course. Student arriving at class after the class attendance has been taken will be counted as absent. Please refer to the JCU catalog for the attendance and absence policies.
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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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A definitive schedule for the class will be provided at the beginning of the term.
Week 1: Introduction to Morrison and her work
Week 2: The Bluest Eye
Week 3: The Bluest Eye. Student presentations.
Week 4: Song of Solomon.
Week 5: Song of Solomon. Student presentations.
Week 6: Beloved.
Week 7 Beloved. Student presentations.
Week 8 Beloved.
Week 9 Student presentations.
Week 10 Jazz.
Week 11 Jazz. Student presentations.
Week 12 Paradise.
Week 13 Paradise.
Week 14 Term paper workshop.
Week 15 Term paper due.
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