Engl 4350 Fall 20121

ENGL 4350.001 – AMERICAN REALISM

syllabus

Fall 2012

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. . . ."

Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Gould Hudson River Estate, 19th c.

Recommended:

1. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th ed.

2. Bedford Glossary of Cultural and Literary Terms or similar reference book

helpful online resources (links to home pages):

UTT Writing Center

The American Heritage Book of English Usage

American Heritage Dictionary:

One-Look Reverse Dictionary:

One-Look lets you describe a concept, then searches for possible word matches

Roget's Thesaurus:

Course Description:

Study of texts and authors representative of American literature from the Civil War through World War I (c. 1865-1917), with particular emphasis on contributions to a uniquely American literature that addresses both immediate national concerns—e.g., Reconstruction, national expansion and nascent imperialism, Jim Crow racism, the Race Question, the Woman Question, and theIndian Problem, and—from a broader perspective--universal themes of freedom, justice, equality, and causality. In this course, we will focus on the ways in which the literature of the period represents, responds to, and shapes artistic, intellectual, psychological, and political transformations in American society. We will also examine differing traditions of postbellum writing and their contribution to American letters.

Course Objectives:

At the conclusion of the course, the successful student will be able to

  • name and applythe distinctive characteristics of American literary realismto specific texts
  • understand the limits of “realism” as a descriptor for post-bellum America
  • interpret, compare, and assess selected works of representative authors
  • situate Literary Realism within the larger context of American Literature
  • select, apply, and assess the value of various critical methodologies
  • provide personally and socially meaningful responses to what Roland Barthes once called the “question par excellence": "Why the world? what is the meaning of things?”

Grade Percentages:

Daily (quizzes, worksheets, BB)15%

Short Reports20%

Group presentation(S)20%

Midterm and Final Examination25%

Essay(s)20%

A NOTE ABOUT ATTENDANCE, PARTICIPATION, ATTITUDE, AND INITIATIVE

My expectations of studentsinclude coming to class on time, silencing and putting away all electronic devices, staying in the classroom for the entire period, attending class regularly, completing all assignments by their due dates, enthusiastically participating in activities whether graded or ungraded, and contributing substantively to discussions. Failure to meet these expectations may override your final numerical grade and result in a lower letter grade for the course.

Grading Scale:

A (90-100)Clearly demonstrates exceptional competence

B (80-89Clearly demonstrates competence

C (70-79)Strongly suggests competence

D (60-69)Suggests incompetence

F < 60Demonstrates incompetence

CoursePolicies & Procedures

Attendance and Participation. (See Note under Grade Percentages.) Among other reasons for taking college courses is the benefit derived from being a member of a scholarly community. Students marginalize themselves and do their fellow scholars a disservice when they miss class, come unprepared, seldom share their insights, or fail to take initiative.

Absences. Excessive absences may result in unsuccessful completion of the course. You are allowed three absences, excused or unexcused, without penalty. Four absences equals ½ letter grade deduction from the final average. Five absences equals one letter grade deduction from the final average. Six or more excused and/or unexcused absences ( 20% of class time) in a Tuesday-Thursday class result in automatic failure of the course.Except for absences officially excused by the University or caused bythe direst of circumstances, I would prefer not to discuss your reason(s) for missing class. I understand many of you have responsibilities and obligations that may conflict with the requirements of this course. However, I cannot in good conscience give special consideration to select students and/or modify course expectations as explained in this syllabus.

Assignments. Unless I inform you otherwise, assignments are due on the date specified on the weekly assignment sheet posted on Blackboard. A late paper receives a deduction of one full letter grade for each class day past the due date. One week (the second class period after the due date) is the latest I will accept a past-due assignment. If you need an extension, please discuss your circumstances with me prior to the due date of an assignment. VERY IMPORTANT: All written assignments require two submissions on or before the due date: an electronic copy submitted on Blackboard and a print copy submitted at the beginning of class. No exceptions. The Paper Format Sheet explains matters related to form and style, and individual assignment sheets explain the parameters of various assignments.

Daily Activities. You are responsible to follow each week’s assignments and stay abreast of announced changes. Unless otherwise instructed, complete all assignments, whether or not they are covered in class, as information regarding those assignmentsis considered important and may be included on quizzes or tests.

Blackboard/Internet Access. Blackboard is an integral part of this course for a number of reasons, including my ability to contact students both as a group and individually. You will need Internet access for various tasks, including but not limited to downloading and printing course handouts and/or readings. Printed copy of handouts, readings, and written assignments must be brought to the appropriate class meetings. If you have problems accessing any required websites, you are responsible for contacting . Please do not ask me to troubleshoot; I have neither the knowledge nor the authority to fix most problems.

Extra Credit Assignments. I do not give work for extra credit. Period. Improving one's grade average requires improving performance on regular assignments. I strongly encourage students worried about grades to meet with me personally at the earliest opportunity.

Make-Up Work. I do not give make-up quizzes; I drop your two lowest quiz grades. To make up a major exam, you must provide proof of extenuating circumstances (a medical emergency, a death in the immediate family, a university-excused function). For policy on major papers, please see "Assignments," above.

Class Etiquette. The general rule: A breech of etiquette is any willful behavior that another member of the class, including me, might find distracting. (Common-sense policy: when in doubt, don't.) Examples: (1) Electronic devices.: The rule applies to all functions on all devices: turn them off and put them beyond easy reach before class begins. Regrettably, this includes computers. (2) "Hall passes": Class periods are 1 hour and 15 minutes long. If you cannot devote the full 75 minutes to a class, please stay home. If an unforeseen event occurs and you must leave in the middle of a class, do not return. You will be counted absent for that day. (3) Unauthorized small group interaction: Not allowed. Simple as that. If the discussion is on topic, share it with the class; if it isn't, save it till later. Students who fail to respect these and similar policies may be asked to leave the classroom and will be counted absent for the day. The negative consequences of attending sporadically, attending without participating, and/or showing disrespect for the academic setting are explained above, under "Grade Percentages."

Communication with Instructor. I encourage students to contact me throughout the semester by email, phone, or in person during my office hours or at a previously arranged time. Very important: The SUBJECT LINE of any email you send me must include ENGL 4350 and your full name. If it doesn’t, you will receive a blank return email from me. Although I check my email regularly,including weekends, please do not expect a reply to weekend emails (those sent between late afternoon Friday and Monday morning) prior to 9:00 a.m. Monday. If an issue legitimately requires immediate attention, please include URGENT in the subject line or flag it “high importance.” Communication immediately before and after class: This is NOT the time to relate information or submit work (e.g., early or late papers) that may in any way affect your grade or that requires me to check a calendar. The chances are not about 1 in 10 that I will remember our conversation and take appropriate measures when I return to my office. Do not consider the information "delivered" unless you have communicated it in an email or during an office visit.

University Policies & Procedures

Academic Honesty. All members of the UTT community are responsible for maintaining an environment that encourages academic integrity. Any students or faculty memberwho witnesses an observed or suspected case of academic dishonesty mustimmediately contact the faculty member in charge of the assignment.

Sincethevalueofan academic degreedependsontheabsoluteintegrityoftheworkdone by the student pursuing the degree, a student must maintain a high standard of individual honor in scholastic work. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, and collusion.

"Cheating"includes, but is not limited to,

  • Copyingfromthepaperofanotherstudent
  • Engaginginwritten,oral,oranyother means of communication with another student; or giving aid to, or seeking aid from, another student when not permitted by the instructor;
  • Usingunauthorized material during an examinationor whencompleting anassignment Takingorattemptingtotakeanexaminationforanotherstudent,orallowinganotherstudent to take an examination for oneself
  • Using,obtaining,orattemptingtoobtain,byanymeans,all or any partofanunadministered examination or work assignment

"Plagiarism"includes

  • unacknowledgedincorporationoftheworkofanotherpersonin work that a student offers for credit.

"Collusion"includes

  • unauthorizedcollaborationwithanotherpersoninpreparingwritten work that a student offers for credit.

Grade Replacement. If you are repeating this course for a grade replacement, you must file an intent to receive grade forgiveness with the registrar by the 12th day of class.Failure to file an intent to use grade forgiveness will result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your overall grape point average. A student will receive grade forgiveness (grade replacement) for only three (undergraduate student) or two (graduate student) course repeats during his/her career at UT Tyler. (2006-08 Catalog, p. 35)

GradeAppeal. Please refer to Section 2.05 of the Handbook of Operating Procedures, available online at

Disability Statement. "If you have a disability, including a learning disability, for which you request disability support services/accommodation(s), please contact Ida MacDonald in the Disability Support Services office so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting disability support services/accommodation(s) must provide appropriate documentation of his/her disability to the Disability Support Services counselor. For more information, call or visit the Student Services Center located in the University Center, Room 282. The telephone number is 566-7079 (TDD 565-5579)." Additional information may also be obtained at the following UT Tyler Web address:

Social Security Statement. It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification number. Students are responsible to know their i.d. numbers.

Note Regarding Student Absence due to Religious Observance. Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor by the second class meeting of the semester.