Syllabus

EN 209-01 Maj. Roger Thompson

American Literature Survey thompsonrc@mail.vmi.edu

Mallory 249 207C LeJeune

MWF 8:00 x7057

This course will be concerned almost exclusively with the prose of American writers from the 19^th century into the 20^th. We will focus in the early literature on how American writers began to conceive of and theorize an American literature and a profession of writing, and in later literature we will examine how new forms of fiction dramatically altered American belles-lettres. We will cover traditional figures in the American literary canon as well as some authors and works that have been neglected by scholars.

Requirements: Attendance: I expect you to attend every class. Missing more

than 9 classes constitutes failure of the course. No exceptions. Tardiness will not be tolerated.

Tests: 2 tests worth 100 pts each. There may be multiple

choice, true/false, short answer, and/or essay portions.

Final Exam: Worth 150 pts—30% of your grade. It will have a

sectional and comprehensive element.

Quizzes: Worth a total of 100 pts. There may be up to 20

unannounced quizzes throughout the course of the semester and they will be on a given week’s reading.

Homework: You will have 5 formal homework assignments that will be worth a total of 50 pts. We will discuss their requirements in class, but in general they will be responses to the reading and they will be typed.

NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Other Material: Pocket Folder: you are required to keep ALL course work, including

your own notes, drafts, etc. I may ask for you to show me previous work you have done.

Blue or Black pen

Grade Breakdown: 200 pts—tests

150 pts—final exam

100 pts—quizzes

50 pts—homework

500-450=A

449-400=B

399-350=C

349-300=D

299 and below=F

Other Information:

Plagiarism—see departmental policy and the Honor Code. If you are ever unsure as to what constitutes plagiarism, please ask me. I will deal with any plagiarized work severely.

Medical Information: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please let me know immediately.

I will make every effort to create an atmosphere free of discrimination or harassment of any kind, and I will do my best to ensure that each individual has an equal voice in class discussion. If you have any concerns or suggestions on how to create an atmosphere conducive to the exchange of ideas, please speak with me.

I expect all cadets to adhere to the Honor Code and the regulations of the Blue Book.

No food or drink is permitted in the classroom.

Section Marcher will position him/herself close to the door at the beginning of class so that role may be taken promptly.

I AM AVAILABLE FOR YOU. Please visit with me if you have any professional questions, concerns, or celebrations.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Jan. 19 Introduction

21 Jonathan Edwards 181

24 C. L’estrange Ewen and Cotton Mather 109, 110—start on 399-407

26 399-407

28 461-472 Begin Emerson 514-519

31 Emerson 519- 537

Feb. 2 Emerson 537

4 Emerson 585 "Each and All"

7 Thoreau 643-657

9 Thoreau 697

11 Fuller 716

14 Poe 738

16 Hawthorne 804

18 Hawthorne 813

21 Melville 856

23 Melville Handout "The Lightning Rod Man"

25 Thorpe Handout and 1009

28 Test I

March 1 Assessment Day no classes

3 Twain 1339 and 1343

6-10 Spring Furlough

13 Twain 1619 and Howells 1527 and James 1553, 1554

15 Bierce 1602

17 Jewett 1639

20 London 1839

22 London Handout

24 Handout Richard Connell "The Most Dangerous Game"

27 Porter 2049

29 Porter handout

31 Test II

April 3 FTX no class

5 Faulkner 2170

7 Faulkner handout "Rose for Emily"

10 O’ Brien handout

12 Hemingway 2218

14 Bradbury Handout

17 Hurston 2057

19 Ellison 2352

21 O’Connor 2434

24 O’Connor handout

26 Welty 2251

28 Helprin

May 1 Helprin 86-93

3 Helprin

5 Helprin

8-16 Exams