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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 315"
COURSE NAME: "Selected Topics in American Literature : The Modern American Novel"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Silvia Ammary
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 6:00 PM 7:15 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. The course may be taken more than once for credit with different topics.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Course Objectives:
- Analyse the characters and modes of dramatization of some representative fiction written in the United States in the 20th century.
- Describe different narrative techniques used by those selected American writers of the period.
- Compare and contrast some of the social and psychological themes and literary images developed by those fiction writers.
- 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.
- 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.
- Compare cinema productions of these great books and compare them with the masterpieces themselves.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Course Objectives:
- Analyse the characters and modes of dramatization of some representative fiction written in the United States in the 20th century.
- Describe different narrative techniques used by those selected American writers of the period.
- Compare and contrast some of the social and psychological themes and literary images developed by those fiction writers.
- 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.
- 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.
- Compare cinema productions of these great books and compare them with the masterpieces themselves.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| The Sun Also Rises | Hemingway | Scribner | 978-0-684-80071-4 | | | | | |
| A Farewell to Arms | Hemignway | Scribner | 9780684801469 | | | | | |
| The Great Gatsby | Fitzgerlad | Scribner | 9780684801520 | | | | | |
| The Sound and the Fury | Faulkner | vintage | 0679732241 | | | | | |
| The Influence of the European Culture on Hemingway’s Fiction | Ammary | Lexington Books | 978-0-7391-8759-3 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| | 1.Class participation and attendance: 10% (no more than 5 unexcused absences are permitted).
2.Final: 20% (open book)
3.Presentation: 15%
4.Research Paper: 15%
5.4 in-class essays and out-class assignments: 40%
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-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:
-The grades in letters for the in-class and out-class assignments are equivalent to the following numbers:
A : 10
A- : 9.5
B+ : 9
B : 8.5
B- :8
C+ : 7.5
C :7
C- : 6.5
D+: 6
D: 5.5
D-: 5
Below that is a failing grade (F)
Final Assessment Criteria:
A = 95-100 B = 83-86 C = 72-75
A- = 91-94 B- = 80-82 C- = 68-71
B+ = 86-90 C+ = 76-79 D = 60-68
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Not more than 5 absences are allowed.
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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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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 us to comprehend the most important elements in each novel. The presentations should tackle:
Biographical data of the novelist
Plot summary of the novel
Setting
Characters
Themes
Conflicts
Structures
Narrative techniques and modes
Review of the Critics
- To make their presentations worthwhile, students are requested to research and write an essay (research paper) of about 1600 words min. on the novels 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 should be at least 40 minutes long.
Quizzes:
Our major business in this class is to read. In order to encourage you to so and in order to reward your diligence, we will have a short quiz every week. If you have done the reading, these quizzes will seem very easy. If you have not, not only will you do poorly, you will have to suffer through one of the most boring things possible: a lengthy discussion of something you haven’t read. At the end of the semester, all of these will be averaged together to form a major grade.
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