English 2326 Survey of American Literature
English 2326 Syllabus
Instructor: Roberta Walden
Instructor Web Site: http://www.tvcc.edu/Faculty/rwalden/
How to Get Started:
As time for classes to begin nears, go to my
web site at http://www.tvcc.edu/Faculty/rwalden/
for information about getting started in class.
If you just memorize
"www.tvcc.edu," you will be in good shape to find my web site from
anywhere you might be because from anywhere you might be, you can go to the
TVCC main
web site and click around until you find my web site. Many students create a page within an online
class folder in their own computer to keep class materials and online class links.
On that page, they include a link to my web site . Some students
like to keep a flash disk for class information so that class materials are
portable.
What to Expect
When Getting Started:
Class Management Software The class will use a free “class management
software.” Beginning the Fall 2007
semester, the
class management software TVCC will use is “Blackboard.”
If you have taken an online course
before and used WebCT, you
will find Blackboard to be somewhat similar to what you have used
before. Because of the change from
WebCT to Blackboard,
however, even if you have taken an online class before, it will be very
important for you to consult my web site before going to class. Even though there are similarities to WebCT, there are some
differences which will be uncomfortable unless you get good instructions to
help you understand the differences. If
you have never taken an online class before, or if you have never used a class
management system, you will get good instructions which will help you learn to
navigate it.
First Communication with Me It's important
to note that I do not receive a list of e-mails of
time to start class. On your own, you
will need to visit my web site for instructions which will tell you what you
need to do to get started.
Logging into Class After you register for an online class at
you into the class(es) for
which you sign up. The TVCC distance
learning group has a password / ID system they use for getting you signed
up. If, once class begins, you go to the
web site I
designate but you are not able to log in with the password and ID information
specific to you, that means there is one of
several (or a combination of several) problems. 1) you
have not been
entered by Mrs. McGrew or her group 2) the password / ID
information they entered for you is
wrong 3) the registration system has
not made your name available yet 4) you’re typing in
something different than what the group typed in for you 5) you’re going
to the wrong website 6) you’re not signed up for the course for which you meant to sign up
TROUBLESHOOTING:
1. Go to my web site and check to see if there
is a message there for you. Maybe nobody
can get in class yet because there is something wrong with the system.
2. E-mail kmcgrew@tvcc.edu with a copy to rwalden@tvcc.edu with the subject line: fall student trouble
and your last and first name. In the body of the message,
place your first and last name, your social security number (sorry about this,
but the college requires it for identification), where you registered for your class, your
phone number,
the class you are concerned about getting signed on for, a pasted copy of the website where you try to
log in, the information you typed in when you tried to log in, and the specific
problem you are having (“can’t log in” or “can log in
but another class shows up instead of this one” or “can log in and
one of my classes shows up but this one doesn’t” or
“can log in but my class is not there” or “could log in
before but can’t log in now”).
If you changed your password and can’t remember it, mention that..
Please note that I do not enter you into the WebCT or
Blackboard class management system myself.
into the class management software. If you are not entered into the
system by them, you will not be able to access the class. Still, I want a copy of what you send to them
if you are having trouble.
4. If Mrs. McGrew says she does not show
that you are enrolled in the class and you know that you are, call or go to the
registrar’s office and make sure the clerical staff there
has your correct information and ask them
when Mrs. McGrew will be able to access it.
5. If, after giving Mrs. McGrew a day to
respond to you, and if, after trying what she suggests, you still have trouble, forward a copy of the
above e-mail to
tspurlock@tvcc.edu He is the distance learning director and he
is a web magician who has tricks none of the rest of us understand.
6. Call me at 830-591-3372 if the above
process fails. You can call me beginning
at
DO
NOT
Prerequisite: English 1302
Instructor Cell Phone:
I keep this phone for my students, so, clearly, I want you to call me if you
want to. You may call any day of the week, but please do not call me
before
please always speak slowly and clearly. If you must leave me a message, say your name, the class you are in, and the problem you are having. As well, please, please, please say your number twice.
I have often received frantic calls from students whom I could not call because their information was unclear.
Instructor e-mail: rwalden@tvcc.edu
In the subject line of e-mails outside the class management
system of Blackboard, please include your name,
your class, and a hint about your question. The word "help"
in a subject line is most
UNhelpful.
Instructor Office Phone:
Instructor Office:
Room 231 in the
time on a certain day.)
Required Textbook:
The American Tradition in
Literature, Shorter Edition in One Volume, Eleventh Edition (You may call the TVCC bookstore to have your
book
delivered to your home). If you order
the book from the TVCC book store, you will be sure to have the same book I am using. If you need the ISBN
number, please call the TVCC bookstore.
The bookstore number is
Course
Philsophy:
The
course takes an American studies approach in its study of American
literature.
Course
Goals:
1. Students will join the conversation about the American literary
"canon" and defend their personal opinions about the
"canon."
2. Students will interact with literature which represents and / or has
influenced the evolving consciousness of the American people.
3. Students will place selected literature in the context of its own time
by examining the historical, political, and artistic backgrounds
of the literature.
4. Students will explore connections between American
literature and their own lives.
5. Students will identify authors, characters, and content of selected
pieces of literature which has influenced American
literary styles, American politics, and / or American thinking.
6. Using sources as well as their own moral compasses, students will
analyze emotional, psychological, moral, and political issues in
selected American literature.
7. Students will ask and respond to questions about the texts which they
are asked to read.
8. Students will read and think critically as they survey a medley
of American literature which:
expresses the diversity of Americans and / or
follows the evolution of
the American spirit and / or
serves as an example of
the literary type of its era and / or
is a departure from the
literature of its time and / or
is exceptional and timeless
and / or
molded the consciousness of
Americans and / or
(should / could / might have
molded) (might yet mold) the consciousness of the American people
changed the thinking of the
world
recorded the spirit of its
time and / or
is famous, so we read it to be
in tune with our culture.
9.Students will consider literature which spans
the physical and cultural “length,”
“width,” and “height” of
10. Students will research selected topics and
share the research with the class.
Student Contributions:
In a variety of assigned activities, the student will read and analyze texts,
participate in discussions, share research, and cooperate in group work
to address literary questions relating to various texts.
The
student will be able to compare themes, recount significant
historical events, research and discuss historical and authorial
perspective, discuss character motive, describe selected scenes, define
selected terms, identify characters, recognize quotes,
respond to readings, recognize recurring American themes,
summarize selected American works, assess the value of the study of
American literature, recognize significant American writers,
formulate an American philosophy, discuss diversity issues in American
literature.
Class
Policies:
Students
will be respectful of each other. Students will complete assignments and do
their own work. Students will not copy from
any source and present the work as their own.
Online
work groups will be assigned from time to time. If you think you would not like
participating in online group activities, you would probably find this class
uncomfortable and should not sign up for it.
Course
Evaluation (Grades):
1105 total points are possible including extra credit
|
Activity |
Points Possible |
Your Points |
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|
Attendance and
participation: |
105 Points Total |
____ Total attendance and participation points |
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|
Content Quizzes: |
100 Points Total |
1.___
6.____ ____ Total unit quiz points |
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|
Discussions and Work Group Points |
100 Points |
1.___
6.____ ____ Total discussion and work group points |
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|
Research Project |
100 Points |
____ Total research points |
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|
Community Activities |
200 |
___ Total community activities credit |
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|
Exam 1 |
200 Points |
Exam 1____ ____ Exam 1. Grade times 2 |
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|
Exam 2 |
300 Points |
a)Exam 2 ___ ____ Exam 2 Grade times
3 |
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|
Final Grade |
1105 points possible |
a) ____ Total Points (with decimal moved one place to the left)
|
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|
|
|
|
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Community Activities:
Community Activities. You can earn UP TO 50 points each for such activities as going to museums, plays, and concerts which are in some way related (culturally, historically, topically) to an item on the reading list. (100 points total possible for community activities)
Community activities involve mingling with other people at an event that can in some way be related to an item on the class reading list.
Community activity credit works like this: you participate
in some activity which involves other humans (such as going to an outdoor
production of a play) . You get someone to take your picture there using a
disposable camera .You take the camera to Walmart
and get the film developed to disc for about $4.50 (allow yourself at least a
couple of days to get the disc back).
You submit all your community activity work (you can submit up to four activities) at one time by a date I will give you later in order to claim your credit. To get credit, you will submit a photograph of yourself at the event (or scanned tickets or programs) along with a NARRATIVE REPORT describing the event and its relationship to American literature as well as its impact on you personally.