2
Fall 2013
Prof. Margaret S. Thompson
313C Maxwell Hall, x. 5882, 2210
e-mail:
Office Hours—TuTh: 2-3:15, Th 11:30-12:15, and by appointment
HNR360/HST347: 20th-Century U.S. Politics Through Fiction
In this course we will examine major themes in the political consciousness of twentieth-century American society, as those themes are reflected in contemporary fiction. The focus will be both on particular events
and movements (Progressive reform, the Cold War, women's liberation, civil rights, terrorism) and on more generalized and persistent concerns (alienation and depersonalization, discrimination, authoritarianism, violence, sexuality, bureaucratization, corruption). During the term, each student will read eleven novels, will write four papers, and will lead a class discussion. Class sessions will be divided between lecture and discussion, but with the emphasis decidedly on discussion.
REQUIRED BOOKS (available at the SU BOOKSTORE):
Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Herland [1915]
--also available online (free) at http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/32
Sinclair Lewis, It Can’t Happen Here [1935]
--also available online (free) at http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0301001h.html
Robert Penn Warren, All the King's Men [1946]
Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man [1948]
Richard Condon, The Manchurian Candidate [1959]
Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest [1962]
Mary McCarthy, The Group [1963]
Ritamae Brown, Rubyfruit Jungle [1973]
Ross Thomas, The Fools in Town Are on Our Side [1970]
Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale [1986]
Christopher Buckley, Boomsday [2007]
READINGS AND ATTENDANCE. Since this is primarily a discussion-based class, students are expected to be on time and to attend class regularly; irregular attendance will be reflected in students' final grades. If unavoidably absent, students are responsible for all material covered and for any handouts and/or announcements that are made. It should be noted that every session will include material not contained in the readings, so if you must miss a class you should borrow notes from a classmate. IMPORTANT: Be aware that all class meetings will assume prior familiarity with pertinent readings; therefore, it is essential to complete the readings before the first date for which they are assigned.
PAPERS. There will be four papers in this course (but no tests!). The due dates are: September 17, October 8, November 7, and December 11; all papers except #4 are due at the beginning of class on the day specified. Topics will be discussed well in advance of due dates, as will general guidelines for writing papers. Please note that the last two papers are slightly longer than the first two (and ask you to consider more books). Topics will be broad/flexible enough to allow for plenty of individual creativity.
INTERNET RESOURCES. This course has its own Website. The URL is: http://classes.maxwell.syr.edu/hst347/ It's suggested that you bookmark it and check it often; it contains a number of class-related resources, and will be updated when necessary. All paper topics will be posted there, as well as lists of discussion leaders, e-mail addresses for all in the class, etc. There also are links to additional information about the books and authors we are studying.
CLASS PRESENTATION/PARTICIPATION. Students are expected to participate REGULARLY in discussion, and should feel free to ask questions at any time. In addition, each student will be responsible for leading a discussion on one of the books we will be reading (a few of you may be leading discussions as part of a team). Discussion leaders are expected to prepare and distribute a list of discussion questions to seminar participants; this list is to be made available by e-mail via the course listserv () no later than 24 hours before the first day the book is scheduled to be considered in class. Students are urged to consult with MST in preparing their discussion questions. [NOTE: Sign-ups for discussion assignments will take place on September 3.]
DEADLINES AND EXTENSIONS. To forestall problems and misunderstandings later on, here is the policy: Since you are receiving due dates and so on at the beginning of the term, it is assumed that you will plan accordingly, and will consider potential conflicts with other courses and extracurricular commitments. Therefore, extensions will be granted only in extraordinary or emergency circumstances, and (except in dire emergencies), only if specific circumstances are explained in advance to the professor. Grades on papers that are turned in after the beginning of class on the due date (without prior permission) will automatically be lowered at least one letter in grade (more, if tardiness is extended). No late papers will be accepted more than one week after the original due date. If you have an accident, or are suddenly ill, etc., and cannot make advance provision, you must present written explanation, signed by either physician or dean, as soon as you can. It is my hope that this covers all contingencies, and that it helps to have these things in writing....
A NOTE ON ACADEMIC HONESTY. The Syracuse University Academic Integrity Policy holds students accountable for the integrity of the work they submit. Students should be familiar with the Policy and know that it is their responsibility to learn about instructor and general academic expectations with regard to proper citation of sources in written work. The policy governs the overall integrity of all work submitted. Serious sanctions—up to and including failure in the course—can and will result from academic dishonesty of any sort. For more information and the complete policy, see http://academicintegrity.syr.edu
DISABILITY-RELATED ACCOMMODATIONS. Students who are in need of disability-related academic accommodations must register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS), 804 University Avenue, Room 309, 315-443-4498. Students with authorized disability-related accommodations should provide a current Accommodation Authorization Letter from ODS to the instructor and review those accommodations with the instructor. Accommodations are not provided retroactively; therefore, planning for accommodations as early as possible is necessary. For further information, see the ODS website, Office of Disability Services: http://disabilityservices.syr.edu/
GRADES. The relative weight of each component of this course is as follows. In addition, improvement over time, and/or extraordinary performance (good or bad!) in one or more areas, will be considered—especially in borderline cases. More about grade policy in class.
Papers 1 & 2 15% each
Papers 3 & 4 25% each
Class Participation 20%
DAILY SCHEDULE
TU 8/27 Introduction to the Course—What Is “Political Fiction” All About??
TH 8/29 Prelude I: The "Age of Innocence."
SIGN-UP FOR DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENTS.
HERLAND (1915)
TU 9/3 Background & preliminary discussion.
TU 9/5 Student-led discussion.
IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE (1935)
TU 9/10 Background & preliminary discussion.
TH 9/12 Student-led discussion.
TU 9/17 FIRST PAPER DUE.
Prelude II: Alienation and the Loss of Innocence.
Extra Reading (on Warren and Ellison): “The Uses of History in Fiction"—available on the website
ALL THE KING'S MEN (1946)
TH 9/19 Background & preliminary discussion.
TU 9/24 Student-led discussion.
INVISIBLE MAN (1948)
TH 9/26 Background & preliminary discussion.
TU 10/1 Student-led discussion.
TH 10/3 Extra Day of discussion about Warren and Ellison
TU 10/8 SECOND PAPER DUE.
Prelude III: Cold War and the "End of Ideology" (?)
MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1959)
TH 10/10 Background & preliminary discussion.
TU 10/15 Student-led discussion.
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1962)
TH 10/17 Background & preliminary discussion.
TU 10/22 Student-led discussion.
THE GROUP (1963)
TH 10/24 Background & preliminary discussion.
TU 10/29 Student-led discussion.
RUBYFRUIT JUNGLE (1973)
TH 10/31 Background &preliminary discussion.
TU 11/5 Student-led discussion.
TH 11/7 THIRD PAPER DUE.
Prelude IV: No Easy Answers.
THE FOOLS IN TOWN ARE ON OUR SIDE (1970)
TU 11/12 Background & preliminary discussion.
TH 11/14 Student-led discussion.
THE HANDMAID’S TALE (1986)
TU 11/19 Background & preliminary discussion.
TH 11/21 Student-led discussion.
[11/26-28: NO CLASSES—THANKSGIVING BREAK]
BOOMSDAY (2007)
TU 12/3 Background & preliminary discussion.
TH 12/5 Student-led discussion.
The FOURTH PAPER is due by noon on Wednesday, December 11. It is to be emailed, or placed under MST’s office door (313C Maxwell Hall).