PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE MASTER SYLLABUS
AMERICAN LITERATURE I  ENGL 2110
Class Hours: 3.0						Credit Hours: 3.0
Laboratory Hours: 0.0						Revised: Spring 09
Catalog Course Description:
	A study of the development of American Literature from its beginnings to the War Between the States.
Entry Level Standards:
	Students must be able to plan and write analytical essays, conduct research, and write papers about literature.  Students must demonstrate proficiency in standard English grammar, spelling, and mechanics and in source documentation.  In addition, students should be familiar with basic literary terminology and genres.
Prerequisite:
	ENGL 1020
Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:
	Baym, Nina, ed. The Norton Anthology of American Literature.  7th ed. Package 1.  New York:  Norton, 2007.  References:  Francisco, Edward, Robert Vaughan, and Linda Francisco, eds. The South in Perspective: An Anthology of Southern Literature. Upper Saddle  River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001. Harris, Muriel.  Prentice Hall Reference Guide to Grammar and Usage.  5th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2003.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
	Week				Topic
	1				Native American Traditions
	2				Literature of European Exploration and Settlement
	3				Puritan Heritage
	4				Puritan Poets
	5				Colonial Period
	6				Emerging Voices:  Women and Slaves
	7				The Young Republic and Nationalism
	8				Orthodox Religion and Transcendentalism
	9				Hawthorne
	10				Poe
	11				Melville
	12				Abolitionism, Douglass, Lincoln
	13				Whitman
	14				Dickinson
	15				Final Exam Period
II. Course Objectives*:
	A.			Identify and understand major themes and concerns of American literature as they relate to American history through the Civil War.  I.1; II.1, 2, 5; IV.1.
	B.			Identify and relate the varied cultural assumptions and values of America's diverse heritage as they influence American literature.  I.1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; II.1, 2, 6; IV.3.
	C.			Associate biographical information about American authors with their works.  I. 1, 4, 5, 7.
	D.			Demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of the relationships (chronological and conceptual) of individual works to other works and schools of thought.  I.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; II.1, 2.
	E.			Write effective responses to varied assignments (e.g. research, essays, creative prompts, journals, short answers, and objective items) to demonstrate an understanding, critical analysis, and appreciation of the works studied.   I.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; VII.3,4 ,5 6.
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference TBR's general education goals.
III. Instructional Processes*:
Students will:
	1.			Work in teams to discuss and analyze literature.  Communication Outcome, Humanities and/or Fine Arts Outcome
	2.			Read assigned works of literature and participate in class discussion.  Communication Outcome, Humanities and/or Fine Arts Outcome
	3.			Use word processing software to write essays analyzing assigned fiction, poetry, and drama, evaluating both the aesthetic value of texts and the historical influences that affect them. Communication Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
	4.			Develop research skills using and evaluating library and internet sources.  Communication Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Active Learning Strategy
	5.			Develop oral presentation skills to present individual or group information. Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
	6.			Attend various cultural, historical, or educational opportunities on or off campus. Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy
	7.			Internalize the work ethic by regularly attending class, being punctual, being dependable, cooperating with the teacher and other classmates, contributing to class discussion and projects, and acting in a professional manner while in class.  Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference TBR’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
	1.			Identify and understand major themes and concerns of traditions and literature in the American Colonial period (e.g. literature of discovery and exploration, literature of European settlement, enlightenment and revolutionary literature, poetry, and drama). A, B
	2.			Identify and understand major themes and concerns of literature in America from the founding of the nation through the Civil War (e.g. myths, tales, legends, literature of national consciousness, abolitionist literature, narratives, and poetry).  A, B
	3.			Identify and understand themes and concerns of groups existing before the Civil War who have been neglected in the traditional American literary canon (e.g. Native Americans, African-Americans, Hispanics, women).  A, B
	4.			Relate political events and institutions to works of American literature through the Civil War.  A, B, D
	5.			Relate religious and ideological factors to the works of this period.  A, B, D
	6.			Relate sociological and psychological factors to the works of this period.  A, B, D
	7.			Relate mythology and mysticism to the works of this period. A, B,D
	8.			Relate biographical information about American authors to works by these authors.  A, B, C
	9.			Demonstrate an understanding of the relations of the works to each other and to influencing factors by tracing American thought and concern chronologically through this period.  A, B, D
	10.			Write responses and analytical papers on appropriate topics related to the works studied.  A, B, C, D, E
	11.			Write insightful, appropriately developed, mechanically correct answers to essay test questions concerning the works studied.  A, B, C, D, E
	12.			Answer objective and short answer questions correctly. A, B, C, D, E
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
	A. Testing Procedures:
			From 60% to 80% of the final grade will be based on quizzes and examinations, which will primarily consist of essay response.  The remaining 20% to 40% of the grade will be based on projects such as papers and journals.
	B. Laboratory Expectations:
		None
	C. Field Work:
		None
	D. Other Evaluation Methods:
		Students are expected to participate in class discussions of assigned readings.
VI. Policies:
	A. Attendance Policy:
		Attendance, promptness, and participation are essential to success in college courses.  The general attendance policy of the College states that students must be present for at least 75 percent of scheduled class meetings in order to receive credit for the course; thus a student who misses more than 25 percent of scheduled class meetings will fail the course.  Therefore, any student who must miss an excessive number of classes for any reason is advised to withdraw from the College under the "Mitigating Circumstances" provision as described in the PCTCC Catalog.
	B. Academic Dishonesty:
		Any student found engaging in an act of academic dishonesty will be promptly dismissed from the course with a grade of F.  According to the PSTCC Catalog & Handbook, prohibited activities include but are not limited to the following practices:  ·  Cheating, including but not limited to unauthorized assistance from material, people, or devices when taking a test, quiz, or examination; writing papers or reports; solving problems; or completing academic assignments  ·  Plagiarism, including but not limited to paraphrasing, summarizing, or directly quoting published or unpublished work of another person, including online or computerized services, without proper documentation of the original source  ·  Purchasing or otherwise obtaining prewritten essays, research papers, or materials prepared by another person or agency that sells term papers or other academic materials to be presented as one’s own work  ·  Taking an exam for another student ·  Providing others with information and/or answers regarding exams, quizzes, homework or other classroom assignments unless explicitly authorized by the instructor · Any of the above occurring within the Web or distance-learning environment.
	C. Accommodations for Disabilities:
		Students who need accommodations because of a disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated should inform the instructor immediately, privately after class or in her or his office.  Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 134 or 126 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153. More information is available at www.pstcc.edu/departments/swd/