Syllabus
English 4665/5665: American Literature from 1920 to the Present, Fall 2010
Section 01 (CRN 20868/20869): TR 3:30-4:45PM, Arts & Sciences 368
Professor: Dr. Alex E. Blazer Email: alex.blazer@gcsu.edu Web: www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~ablazer/ Phone: 478.445.0964
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Office: Arts & Sciences 330 Office Hours: MW 5:00-5:30 A&S 330, T 1:00-1:50 A&S 330, R 12:30-1:30 Blackbird, by appt |
The undergraduate course catalog describes English 4665 as "A study of selected American works from 1920 to the present, emphasizing literary modernism and post-modernism." This course's Academic Assessment page describes our topics:
- 20th-century aesthetics, such as modernism, expressionism and post-modernism;
- 20th-century philosophical and ideological perspectives, such as Marxism and feminism;
- 20th-century American literary movements and groups, such as the Modernists and Imagism, the Fugitives and New Criticism, the Harlem Renaissance and the Beats;
- Key texts by significant, representative 20th-century American writers, such as Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, John Steinbeck, Ralph Ellison, Joseph Heller and Toni Morrison.
as well as course outcomes:
- Distinguish the ideologies and aesthetics that have shaped fiction in the twentieth century;
- Evaluate the literary significance of certain representative writers of American fiction in the 20th century, as well as certain influential texts;
- Articulate written critical argument that requires analytical close reading of modern fiction.
In this particular section, we will read modernist poetry by Eliot, Stevens, and the Imagists; fiction by Faulkner, Hemingway, and Fitzgerald; a Harlem Renaissance novel by Larsen; and expressionistic plays by Rice and Treadwell. For postmodernism, we will read books of poetry (Ashbery and Armantrout), short plays by Albee, Owens, Shepard, Baracka, and Wolfe; short stories by Coover, Tillman, Daitch, and Pynchon; and avant-garde, experimental novels by Acker and Danielewski. Undergraduate students will write a literary biography, a short paper, a research paper, and two exams; graduate students will give a presentation, take two exams, and write a research paper. This course counts towards area 1.B in the major program for a B.A. in English, Literature Concentration, and area 3.B in the major program for a B.A. in English, Creative Writing Concentration. This course's prerequisite is ENGL 2110 or IDST 2305, or permission of the instructor.
required (GCSU Bookstore or Amazon.com)
Acker, Don Quixote: A Novel
Ashbery, Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror
Armantrout, Versed
Danielewski, Only Revolutions
Faulkner, Absalom, Absalom!
Larsen, Quicksand
Rice, The Adding Machine
Treadwell, Machinal
Wolfe, The Colored Museum
required (online)
various stories and articles
recommended (GCSU Bookstore or Amazon.com)
Gibaldi, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed.
Assignments and Grade Distribution
4665 Undergraduate Students
literary biography, 5%
You will write a 3-4 page literary biography explaining the general issues and themes of a writer's opus as well as posing particular questions for class discussion.
short paper, 20%
You will write a 4-5 page short paper analyzing a key issue or theme in a single work of literature.
in class exam, 25%
You will take an in class exam comparing and contrasting ideas in the work of modernist authorts.
research paper, 25%
You will write an 8-10 page research paper exploring a key issue or theme in a single work of literature.
take home exam, 25%
You will write a take home exam comparing and contrasting ideas in the work of postmodernist authors. Here's how to calculate your final grade.
5665 Graduate Students
presentation, 10%
You will give a presentation to the class that explains either a critical article on the work of literature we're reading or a theoretical article about modernism or postmodernism.
research paper, 30%
You will write a 15-20 page research paper exploring a key issue or theme in a single work of literature.
two take home exams, 30% each
You will write a 10-12 page take home exam comparing and contrasting ideas in the work of modernist authors as well as a 10-12 page take home exam comparing and contrasting ideas in the work of postmodernist authors. Here's how to calculate your final grade.
Class Preparation and Participation
I expect you to come to class having read, annotated, and reviewed the assigned reading. Moreover, you should prepare at least two comments and two questions for each reading. We're going to be working with challenging texts; therefore, we'll all benefit from sharing our ideas and questions. If I feel that you're not participating because you're not keeping up with the reading, I will give a pop quiz.
Office Hours and Email
I encourage you to stop by my office hours to discuss any aspect of the course, of literature. I'm happy to answer minor questions such as due dates over email, but I prefer face-to-face conversations for more substantive topics like papers and exams. Please use email etiquette.
Technology
The syllabus is available at http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~ablazer/. We will be using GeorgiaVIEW and TurnItIn for assignments. It is your responsibility to learn GeorgiaView and TurnItIn. Check your university email for course-related messages. I suggest using a a free cloud computing service such as Dropbox, Live Mesh, or Mozy to save your work-in-progress. Students who text and web surf in class will be marked absent.
Attendance
There will be a one letter final grade deduction for every absence beyond three days. Therefore, missing four class periods will result in a one letter final grade deduction and missing seven classes will result in automatic failure of the course. I suggest you use your three days both cautiously and wisely; and make sure you sign the attendance sheets. Habitual tardies, consistently leaving class early, texting, and surfing the internet will be treated as absences. Excuses like work, family, and scheduled doctor's appointments will be declined. The only acceptable excuses are death in one's immediate family and one's own medical emergency. If you participate in an extracurricular activity that you anticipate will cause you to miss class, I suggest you switch sections now. You can check your attendance online by looking for your course number and the last four digits of your student identification number.
MLA Style
Formal assignments should adhere to the Modern Language Association (MLA) style. Formal papers and take-home exams require MLA style while in-class exams; discussion board responses, informal writing, and peer review may be informally formatted. One-third of a letter grade will be deducted from a formal paper or take-home exam for problems in each of the following three categories, for a possible one letter grade deduction total: 1) header, heading, and title, 2) margins, font, and line-spacing, and 3) quotation and citation format. Before you turn in a formal paper, make sure your work follows MLA style by using the checklist on the MLA style handout. I encourage students to use my MS Word template.
Late Assignments
There will be a one letter assignment grade deduction per day (not class period) for any assignment that is turned in late. I sparingly give short extensions if you request one for a valid need at least one day before the assignment is due. I will inform you via email if I cannot open an electronically submitted assignment; however, your assignment will be considered late until you submit it in a file I can open. Failing to submit an assignment that is worth 15% or more of the course grade within five days (not class periods) of its due date will result in automatic failure of the course. Failing to submit a final exam or final paper within two days of its due date will result in automatic failure of the course.
Length Requirements
A formal paper or take-home exam will be penalized one-third of a letter grade if it does not end at least halfway down on the minimum page length while implementing 12 pt Times New Roman font, double-spacing, and 1" margins. Each additional page short of the minimum requirement will result in an a one-third letter grade penalty.
Plagiarism
Do not do it. The Honor Code defines plagiarism as "presenting as one's own work the words or ideas of an author or fellow student. Students should document quotes through quotation marks and footnotes or other accepted citation methods. Ignorance of these rules concerning plagiarism is not an excuse. When in doubt, students should seek clarification from the professor who made the assignment." Section 3.01 of the Academic Affairs Handbook elaborates other examples of academic dishonesty and outlines disciplinary procedures and appeals for academic misconduct. Submitting the same paper in two different courses constitutes academic dishonesty. As plagiarism is not tolerated at GCSU, any student found guilty of willful plagiarism or dishonesty will fail the assignment and the course. Students must submit all formal papers to TurnItIn.com.
Failure of the Course
There are three ways to fail the course: 1) failing to regularly attend class, 2) plagiarizing, 3) failing an assignment that is worth 15% or more of the course grade, be it from poor quality, lateness of submission, or a combination of poor quality and lateness. By contrast, students who regularly attend class, complete their work with academic integrity, and submit assignments on time will pass the course.
Withdrawal
The last day to add a course is Wednesday, August 18. The last day to drop a course without fee penalty is Friday, August 20. The last day to withdraw from all courses without academic penalty (unless previously assigned an F by professor for absences) is Thursday, October 14.
Assistance for Student Needs Related to Disability
If you have a disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and physical accessibility. Disability Services, a unit of the GCSU Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations to ensure equal access to all GCSU programs and facilities. Course requirements will not be waived, but accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For documentation requirements and for additional information, we recommend that you contact Disability Services located in Maxwell Student Union at 478-445-5931 or 478-445-4233.
The Writing Center
The Writing Center is a free service available to all members of the university community. Consultants assist writers in the writing process, from conception and organization of compositions to revision to documentation of research. Located in Lanier Hall 209, the Center is open Monday through Friday. Call 445-3370 or email writingcr@gcsu.edu for more information.
Fire Drills
Fire drills will be conducted during the semester. In the event of a fire alarm signal, students will exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit. Learn the floor plan and exits of the A & S Building. Do not use elevators. Crawl on the floor if you encounter heavy smoke. Assist disabled persons and others if possible without endangering your own life. Assemble for a head count on front lawn main campus.
This schedule is subject to change, so check back in class and online for possible revisions.
Definition, "Modernism" (GeorgiaVIEW) Howe, "The Idea of the Modern" (GeorgiaVIEW) Nelson, "Modern American Poetry" (GeorgiaVIEW) |
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Eliot reading "The Wasteland" (web) Leavis, "The Significance of the Modern Waste Land" (GeorgiaVIEW) Brooks, "The Waste Land: An Analysis" (GeorgiaVIEW) |
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Eliot, concluded |
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Trotter, "The Modern Novel" (GeorgiaVIEW) Faulkner, Absalom, Absalom! In Class Activity: Assembling Absalom, Absalom!'s Thomas Sutpen |
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Faulkner, concluded |
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Hemingway, "The End of Something" (GeorgiaVIEW) Hemingway, "Soldier's Home" (GeorgiaVIEW) Hemingway, "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" (GeorgiaVIEW) |
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Hutchinson, Introduction, The Cambridge Companion to the Harlem Renaissance (GeorgiaVIEW) Larsen, Quicksand |
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Larsen, concluded |
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Watt, "Modern American Drama" (GeorgiaVIEW) Rice, The Adding Machine |
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Rice, concluded |
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Treadwell, Machinal |
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Treadwell, concluded |
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No Class: Fall Break |
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Definition, "Postmodernism" (GeorgiaVIEW) Hassan, "Toward a Concept of Postmodernism" (GeorgiaVIEW) Connor, "Postmodernism and Literature" (GeorgiaVIEW) Ashbery, Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror Ashbery reading from Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror (web) Recommended: Keniston, "Theorizing Postmodern Address" (GeorgiaVIEW) Recommended: Powell, "What Is Postmodernism?" (GeorgiaVIEW) |
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Ashbery, concluded |
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Armantrout, Versed |
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Armantrout, concluded |
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Schmidt, "The Postmodern Condition of Theatre" (GeorgiaVIEW) Albee, Zoo Story (GeorgiaVIEW) Albee, The Sandbox (GeorgiaVIEW) |
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Owens, Emma Instigated Me (GeorgiaVIEW) Shepard, Suicide in B-Flat (GeorgiaVIEW) Recommended: Angus, "Metadrama, Authority, and the Roots of Incredulity" (GeorgiaVIEW) |
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Baraka, Dutchman (GeorgiaVIEW) |
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Wolfe, The Colored Museum |
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Lewis, "Postmodernism and Fiction" (GeorgiaVIEW) Coover, "The Phantom of the Movie Palace" (GeorgiaVIEW) Daitch, "X ≠Y" (GeorgiaVIEW) Tillman, "Living with Contradictions" (GeorgiaVIEW) |
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Pynchon, "Entropy" (GeorgiaVIEW) Wallace, from Brief Interviews with Hideous Men (GeorgiaVIEW) |
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Acker, Don Quixote: A Novel Recommended: LeClair, "The Lord of La Mancha and Her Abortion" |
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Acker, concluded |
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No Class: Thanksgiving |
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Danielewski, Only Revolutions |
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Danielewski, concluded Student Opinion Surveys (Bring your laptops) |
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