2010-2011 Syllabus

CM 123

AMERICAN LITERATURE II

3 Credit Hours

Textbook

The American Tradition in Literature, 12th Edition, Vol. 2

George and Barbara Perkins

Our Town

Thornton Wilder

Division of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences

Instructor: Mr. Brenton Phillips

AMERICAN LITERATURE II

2010-2011

Course Number:CM 123

Time & Day: 12:00-12:55 MWF

Location:Room 206

Instructor: Brenton Phillips

Office: F45

Phone: (785) 243- 9499, ext. 244

Email:

Required

Texts: The American Tradition in Literature, 12th Edition, Vol. 2, by

George and Barbara Perkins

Our Town, by Thornton Wilder, Perennial Classics, 1998

Other Required

Materials: A notebook for taking notes and for in-class writing assignments and activities.

A folder with pockets or a binder in which to keep your work.

Recommended

Materials: A good collegiate dictionary.

Office Hours:8:00-9:00 and 1:00-3:00 MWF; 8:00-9:30 and 1:30-3:00 TR

Course Description:

A study of American literature from the Civil War period through the trends of Realism, Naturalism, and on into the ideas and literary trends of modern and contemporary America.

Prerequisite:A “C” or better in English Composition I. Recommended Preparatory Course: English Composition II.

SEQUENCING:This class is offered in the spring semester.

Method of Evaluation/Grading:

The five letter grades given for themes, exercises, or tests may be defined as follows:

A = Work of exceptional quality, surpassing the expectations of the instructor.

B = Superior work, with few errors.

C = Average, acceptable work.

D = Substandard work, with unacceptable qualities.

F = Unacceptable work.

Teaching Methods:

Classes will be a combination of lecture, discussion, group exercises, and films.

assignment policy:

Students are expected to complete all assignments before coming to class. Late papers will receive a grade reduction or will only be accepted with a grade deduction. If you know you will be absent, you may turn in an assignment before the due date.

All essays should be typed and in MLA format. Exceptions may be made for in-class writing assignments.

It is imperative that each student do his or her own work.

Students are expected to do the following:

  • Read assignments. This is a basic class requirement because students cannot understand lectures, take part in discussions, or write about the ideas involved when they have not read assignments.
  • Pass unannounced quizzes and writing essays over the assigned reading material.
  • Participate in class discussions and encourage others to participate in the discussions of the reading material.
  • Take notes on material presented during class.
  • Relate to any audio or visual aids to the works being studied.
  • Pass exams. The exams are both objective and essay, requiring students not only to understand the literature studied in class but also to be able to write about it.
  • Write a major literary analysis paper on a specific work or works of a poet, author, or playwright of the student’s choice with emphasis on the student’s analysis of the material. In addition to this analysis, students will have the option to refer to formal criticism found in the college library.
  • Respond to reading assignments through personal reflection and study questions.
  • Maintain consistent attendance.
  • Final exam

Course Policies

ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Because English courses include discussion and critical thinking, instructors and students will likely hear and read a wide range of differing opinions and ideas on sensitive and controversial subjects. Therefore, instructors and students are to adhere to the principles of free expression, including respect and civility. All in the classroom are expected to listen to the viewpoints of others without interruptions, name-calling, and other personal attacks. Personal views of instructors and students should not affect grades.

Academic Integrity

It is imperative that each student does his/her own work. The following policy will apply to all students in class.

Infractions of academic integrity (honesty) shall include:

  • Using another student’s work without giving the student credit for the work. In other words, taking someone else’s work and placing your name on it and claiming it is yours, using another student’s quiz, or help on a quiz/exam.
  • Giving other students your work knowing that they intend to turn it in as their own creation, giving other students your quiz, or help on a quiz/exam.

It is not an infraction of the policy to help other students understand how to do an assignment if they do the work themselves with your assistance.

Cheating:

“Cheating means getting unauthorized help on an assignment, quiz or examination.”

  1. You must not receive from any other students or give to any other students any information, answers, or help during an exam.
  2. You must not use unauthorized sources for answers during an exam. You must not take notes or books to the exam when such aids are forbidden, and you must not refer to any book or notes while you are taking the exam unless the instructor indicates it is an “open book” exam.
  3. You must not obtain exam questions illegally before an exam or tamper with an exam after it has been corrected.

Materials taken from “Academic Dishonesty in Our Classrooms.” Instructional Exchange, 1990, 2 (2), 1-4 (Newsletter available from the Office of University Assessment and Intellectual Skills Program, WesternMichiganUniversity)

Plagiarism:

“Plagiarism” means submitting work as your own that is someone else’s. For example, copying material from a book, the Internet, or another source without acknowledging that the words or ideas are someone else’s and not your own is plagiarism. If you copy an author’s words exactly, treat the passage as a direct quotation and supply the appropriate citation. If you use someone else’s ideas, even if you paraphrase the wording, appropriate credit should be given. You have committed plagiarism if you purchase a term paper or submit a paper as your own that you did not write.

Penalties for Infractions:

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students who violate this policy will face one of the following consequences, depending upon the severity of the case:

  • The student will have to re-do the assignment.
  • The student will receive an F for the assignment.
  • The student will receive an F for the class.
  • The student will be recommended for disciplinary action.

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is required at all classes and will affect the semester grade accordingly. Missing daily instruction, daily assignments and the opportunity to discuss readings will directly affect class performance. Students earn 10 pts. (15 in T-TH classes) each class session by coming to class on time and being prepared (which includes being ready to discuss reading assignments.) If you let me know prior to the class that you will miss, you will still receive your points. If you don’t, you will not receive the points. If you miss a class session it is your responsibility to find out what was turnedin, discussed or assigned on that day. If you are absent, contact the instructor or another class member so that you will be prepared for the next session. In addition, you are expected to take quizzes when they are given. Do not come to the next class and expect to opt out of a quiz because you were absent the previous class. Attending or participating in college-related extra-curricular activities such as sporting and arts events does not excuse students from fulfilling their responsibilities. Frequent absenteeism and lateness will result in referral to the Student Retention Office and other appropriate departments.

For students involved in extra curricular activities or those that miss due to illness or family emergencies, instructors may offer alternative writing assignments during the semester.

Conduct:

Classroom decorum is conducive to learning. You can help by actively participating in class discussions and exercises. The following behaviors show disrespect to the instructor and to your fellow students and are not acceptable:

  • holding conversations on topics unrelated to the issue at hand
  • talking privately with a classmate(s)
  • chronic lateness
  • leaving and returning to the classroom
  • sleeping
  • doing homework or studying for other classes
  • eating
  • chewing tobacco
  • using iPods, cell phones, or other devices
  • text-messaging

ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM POLICIES

  • If you come late to class and a quiz has already been distributed, you will not be allowed to take the quiz or make it up. You will receive a 0 for that quiz.
  • If you are absent, you must call or leave an email message (preferred) if you do not want to lose attendance points or if you want to make up a quiz. This includes absences because of athletic events or other college activities as well as general absences.
  • Late work will receive a grade reduction. No credit will be given for work more than one week late.
  • Computer or other technology failures and problems are no excuse for not getting an assignment turned in on time. Plan ahead.
  • Do not wait until the last minute to print work off a computer. Do not come to class and then ask if you can go print an assignment. Take care of printing before class.
  • Have work stapled before class. It is not the responsibility of the instructor to provide you with staples. The responsibility is yours.
  • Do not ask to do extra credit assignments. The instructor may offer extra credit on exams or assignments at his discretion.
  • Final exams will not be given early unless you have a pressing concern, such as a legitimate hardship circumstance that would make it impossible for you to take the exam at the scheduled time. An example of a legitimate hardship concern would be a medical emergency, a death in the family, or inclement weather as determined by the college administration.
  • Text-messaging or checking phone messages is disrespectful and inappropriate.
  • Please turn off all iPods, pagers and cell phones (or any devices that “beep”) prior to entering the classroom.

You are in the class to learn. If you aren’t, others are, and if you unduly disturb that effort, you may be asked to leave the class.

Examination Policy:

Makeup exams will only be given by special arrangement with the instructor and must be completed within a reasonable time frame. The makeup exams may not be the same exams as given in class. NO MAKEUP exams will be allowed without prior arrangements being made with the instructor.

Instructor Assistance:

If you are having problems with the course work or assignments, please let the instructor know as early as possible.

Tutor Assistance:

Tutors are available in the Learning Skills Center. Contact the LearningSkillsCenter for more information.

Incomplete Policy:

Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented as described in the Student Handbook. The incomplete must be made up with the instructor assigning the incomplete and must be completed the semester immediately following the semester in which the class was taken. Refer to the Student Handbook for a complete explanation.

ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS:

Cloud County Community College has an Academic Due Process Policy to address any student academic complaints. For any unresolved complaints, the policy can be obtained from the Academic Affairs Office.

GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES:

American Literature II is a General Education “A” course.

Students enrolled inthis course will be expected to fulfill the General Education Culture Goal. Students will demonstrate understanding of the human condition through art, history, literature, music, theater, or philosophy.

Student learning will be assessed by artifacts that are evaluated according to the following rubric:

1 = Students will identify major cultural influences in the human condition.

2 = Students will demonstrate understanding of the effects of cultural influences on individuals and

society.

3 = Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and synthesize the effects of cultural influences on

the human condition with regard to time and place.

To exhibit competency, students must accomplish both 1 & 2.

Department OUTCOMES:

The following are the goals students should be able to achieve in CCCC English courses.

  • To write clearly and effectively
  • To read critically
  • To gather materials and synthesize them into the student’sown work
  • To analyze literature
  • To compose creatively

COURSE OUTCOMES:

  • To analyze American literature using various perspectives, including formalist, social, biographical, and historical strategies.
  • To acquire an appreciation for a wide variety of literary styles, including the works of lesser-known or marginalized writers.
  • To demonstrate an understanding of the formation of a uniquely American body of literature and how the broadly expanding continent is reflected in literature.
  • To demonstrate an understanding of how culture influences art and how historical events have shaped our country’s literature.
ASSESSMENT of COURSE OUTCOMES:

Student learning is assessed every semester based on course outcomes. Each instructor measures student performance on all course outcomes for each course section every semester. The instructor fills out an electronic form, which populates a database. This information is reviewed by the Assessment Coordinator and the Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Team. It is due to be completed by February 15th for the fall semester and June 15th for the spring.

ASSESSMENT OF PROGRAM OUTCOMES:

Student learning is also assessed each semester based on program outcomes. Program outcomes accomplishment is measured through performance on course outcomes. Each program uses a matrix to match course outcomes of individual courses to overarching program outcomes. The program outcomes are calculated as an average of all of the relevant course outcomes. This information is processed after each semester and then immediately reviewed by the Assessment Coordinator and the Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Team.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGLISH ARTIFACTS:

  • English artifacts must be typed.
  • English artifacts must not have students’ or instructors’ names. Otherwise, the artifacts should be in MLA format.
  • English artifacts should be complete essays.

Accommodation for Disability:

If you need academic adjustments for any type of disability, see your instructor during office hours or make an appointment. Students also may contact the Director of Advisement and Counseling, located in the AdvisementCenter.

Inclement Weather Policy:

In case of extremely severe weather, the college may close. The following radio and TV stations will be notified:

KNCK1390 AMConcordiaKCLY100.9 FMClay Center

KREP92.1 FM BellevilleKHCD89.5 FMHutchinson

KVSV1190 AMBeloitKSAL1150 AMSalina

WIBW (TV)Chan. 13TopekaKWCH (TV)Chan. 12Wichita

KOLN (TV)Chan. 10Lincoln, NE

Notification will also be placed on the internet at A text message will also be sent out on the Emergency Text Messaging System for the students who have signed up for it.

Students should call the switchboard at 800-729-5101 or 785-243-1435 if they are unable to attend class due to hazardous conditions. Night class and off campus class cancellations are left to the discretion of the instructor.

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:

When alarms are sounded or crisis conditions arise, you will be instructed to move to a designated safe area or to remain in the classroom until the crisis has passed. If you are informed to leave the room, take as many of your personal belongings as time permits. Cell phones and other electronic devices are only to be used once you arrive in the safe area outside the building. Students requiring special assistance will be the responsibility of the instructor or staff person.

Systems of alert for tornado or bomb threat: PA system, phone, or staff interruption of class. In case of fire, the alarm will sound.

If directed to leave the building, evacuate to the soccer field unless an alternate safe location has been designated.