English 2359: American Literature to 1865,

Fall 2005

 

Instructor:                 Steve Wilson

Office:                         FH 349

Office Hours:             10:30-11:P30 MWF, 5-6 T, and by appointment

Phone:                                    245-7680

E-mail:                       sw13@txstate.edu

Texts:                         Cain, American Literature, volume 1 (Penguin)                 

                                               

Description:  Over the course of this term we will examine the most important literary movements of the eras beginning with early exploration of the American continent by European settlers (1500s) up to the optimistic Romanticism of great American poet Walt Whitman (mid-19th century).  This survey course will illustrate how literature both reflected and helped shape an American identity distinct from the European and African nations whose peoples emigrated or were forcibly brought to this new country – a nation founded not upon ethnicity but philosophy; as well as the influences of an economy based upon slavery.

 

Course Structure: Even though this is a large class, I will lead class discussions.  There wonÕt be long, boring lectures.  However, these discussions will be most interesting and useful when students take part willingly and have read the assigned texts.

 

Evaluation:  We will have four examinations in this course: two scantron tests and two essay exams (requiring written responses of four pages).

 

Attendance:  Although I will not take attendance, it will become apparent very early that attending our class meetings will offer students experience in how to interpret as well as discuss literature.  These skills will be necessary for performing well on our examinations.  This is not a course in which borrowing notes or reading plot summaries will result in a passing grade.  I expect students to read assignments, think about the readings, and come to class ready to explore the implications of what we've read.  My tests are not based upon rote knowledge, but upon a student's skill in applying the ideas of literature to both social concerns of the various time periods we cover in this course, as well as those of present times.  Moreover, successful examinations will prove that a student understands the artistic elements of the literature he/she is discussing – elements we will use in our class meetings.  In other words, it is finally a student's own decision to attend class, but doing so will be of significant benefit for passing this course.

 

Academic Honesty: The Texas State University Honor Code states, "We do our own work and are honest with one another in all matters.  We understand how various acts of dishonesty, like plagiarizing. . . conflict as much with academic achievement as with the values of honesty and integrity."  Plagiarizing is submitting work that is in any way not your own.  Any cases of plagiarism or cheating, whether deliberate or accidental, will result in a failing grade for the course, and may lead to additional serious disciplinary actions by the University.

 

Grades: Each exam will be worth 25% of the final course grade.

 

Guidelines for use of the Teaching Theater: In their efforts to maintain the integrity of the Teaching Theater facilities and its equipment, to promote class order and provide for the

timely turnover of classes, the Teaching Theater staff encourages the use of these guidelines:
            Cell phones and pagers must be turned off
            No food or open drink containers
            Only bottles with a screw-top cap are allowed
            No tobacco products of any type
            Do not place your feet on the seat backs
            To facilitate traffic flow, enter and exit through the assigned doorways
            Lost and Found items are kept in the Teaching Theater office; check with the

                        technician
Emergency Procedures:
If the case of fire or if an alarm is sounded, evacuate through the closest exit door in an

orderly fashion (no pushing or running) and move away from the building, unless

instructed by safety personnel to do otherwise.
Medical Emergency Procedures:
In the event of illness or injury during class, notify the IA or Professor immediately.  All

students need to remain seated to provide Emergency Personnel access to the individual requiring attention.

 

Special Needs: If a student requires accommodation for special needs documented with the Texas State University Office of Disability Services, he/she should make me aware of this immediately.

 

 

Reading Schedule

 

Students should be prepared to discuss readings on the dates they are listed in the schedule. All texts are from the class anthology, except those listed as "provided," which we will hand out in class.  We will attempt to follow this schedule as closely as possible; however, we may at times get behind due to class discussions.  Be aware that the dates of exams will not change, no matter what.

 

24 Aug.           Background.  Introductory materials.

26 Aug.           William Bradford, from Of Plymouth Plantation.

29 Aug.           William Bradford continued.

                        Bradford, supplemental reading from Of Plymouth Plantation (provided).

31 Aug.           Anne Bradstreet, "In Memory of My Dear Grandchild Elizabeth. . ."

                                    and "Upon the Burning of Our House" (provided).

2 Sept.             Cotton Mather, from Wonders of the Invisible World.

5 Sept.             Holiday.  No class meeting.

7 Sept.             St. Jean de Crevecoeur, from Letters from an American Farmer.

9 Sept.             Thomas Paine, from Common Sense.

12 Sept.           Thomas Paine, from The Age of Reason.

14 Sept.           Review session.

16 Sept.           First examination (essay).

19 Sept.           Freneau, "Indian Burying Ground"

21 Sept.           Wheatley, "On Being Brought from Africa to America," and "To the

                                    Students. . ." (provided).

23 Sept.           Washington Irving, "Rip Van Winkle."

26 Sept.           James Cooper, from The American Democrat.

28 Sept.           Lydia Sigourney, "The Indian's Welcome. . . ."

                        William Bryant, "Thanatopsis."

30 Sept.           Ralph Emerson, Nature.        

3 Oct.              Ralph Emerson, Nature continued.

5 Oct.              Ralph Emerson, Nature continued.

7 Oct.              Ralph Emerson, "Self-Reliance."

10 Oct.                        Ralph Emerson, "Self-Reliance" continued.

12 Oct.                        Review session.

14 Oct.                        Second examination (scantron).

17 Oct.                        Ralph Emerson, "The American Scholar."

19 Oct.                        Ralph Emerson, "The American Scholar" continued.

21 Oct.                        Nathaniel Hawthorne, "Young Goodman Brown."

24 Oct.                        Nathaniel Hawthorne, "The Minister's Black Veil."

26 Oct.                        Nathaniel Hawthorne, "The Minister's Black Veil" continued.

28 Oct.                        Edgar Poe, "The Fall of the House of Usher."

31 Oct.                        Edgar Poe, "The Fall of the House of Usher" continued.

2 Nov.             Edgar Poe, "The Raven."

                        Edgar Poe, "The Philosophy of Composition."

4 Nov.             Review session.

7 Nov.             Third examination (essay).

9 Nov.             Harriet Stowe, from Uncle Tom's Cabin.

11 Nov.           Harriet Jacobs, from Incidents in the Life. . .: chapters I, V, VII, and

                                    VIII.

14 Nov.           Harriet Jacobs, Incidents. . .: chapters X, XII, XVII, XXXV, XXXIX,

                                    XL, and XLI.

16 Nov.           Henry Thoreau, from Walden.

18 Nov.           Henry Thoreau, Walden continued.

21 Nov.           Henry Thoreau, from Walden, "Spring" (provided).

23 Nov.           Holiday. No class meeting.

25 Nov.           Holiday. No class meeting.

28 Nov.           Herman Melville, "Bartleby, the Scrivener."

30 Nov.           Herman Melville, "Bartleby" continued.

2 Dec.              Walt Whitman, "Song of Myself": sections 1, 4, 6, and 11.

5 Dec.              Walt Whitman, "Song of Myself": sections 24, 48, 50, 51, and 52.

7 Dec.              Final examination (scantron): 11:30-2:00.