Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education

Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education Representing Alabama s Public Two-Year College College System System Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Communications, Humanities, and Fine Arts Division Course Syllabus ENG 251 American Literature I http://www.wallacestate.edu/eng I. ENG 251 American Literature I 3 Semester Hours II. Welcome and Introduction Welcome to the English Department at Wallace State Community College. This Department promotes the College s student-first philosophy by providing quality instruction with defined objectives and outcomes. We seek to create a student-centered, learning-focused environment where writing, reading, thinking, and sharing abound; where students views and voices are valued; and where our instructors are not only knowledgeable, but also genuinely enthusiastic about teaching and working with students. III. Course Description This course is a survey of American literature from its inception to the middle of the nineteenth century. Emphasis is placed on representative works and writers of this period and on the literary, cultural, historical, and philosophical forces that shaped these works and that are reflected in them. Upon completion and in written compositions, students will be able to interpret the aesthetic and thematic aspects of these works, relate the works to their historical and literary contexts, and understand relevant criticism and research. There will be lectures and class discussions covering the works of authors representative of the following periods: the Age of Discovery, the Age of Reason, and the Romantic Period; each of these periods contains various literary movements and submovements, which may be emphasized by the instructor. Students demonstrate their knowledge of the material by answering objective tests and by writing essays. Essays will be graded in accordance with correct English usage from current Modern Language Association guidelines. Students should be able to use Word 2010 and PowerPoint 2010, save documents to flash drives, upload documents, and attach files to e-mail. IV. Prerequisite ENG 102 or equivalent. 1

V. Textbook Perkins, George, ed. The American Tradition in Literature. 12 th ed. Shorter Edition in One Volume. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-07-338489-4 Additional reading material may be required by the instructor. Additional supplies required include a flash drive/floppy disc, scantrons, and Lions Loot card (for college copying). All textbooks and supplies must be brought to each class meeting. VI. Wallace State Learning Objectives 1. The engaged student participates directly in learning activities. 2. The critical thinker uses reason, ingenuity, and knowledge to examine relevant issues or ideas. 3. The effective communicator demonstrates the ability to articulate and exchange ideas using multiple forms of expression. 4. The 21 st Century learner accesses and utilizes relative information effectively and responsibly. 5. The responsible citizen develops awareness of the diversity of human experience, understanding and responding to interpersonal, historical, cultural and global contexts. VII. Course Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, learners will have demonstrated the ability to apply their skills and knowledge in the following ways: 1) Demonstrate a functional understanding of early American literature and the problems encountered by settlers of the New World, the progressions of American literature and its authors, and the various themes, topics, and elements utilized during the period between 1600-1868. 2) Reflect on and apply the knowledge gained in the course by writing articulate journals, pop essays, and formalized essays. 3) Distinguish between the progressive periods and submovements of the Age of Discovery, Age of Reason, and the Romantic Period. 4) Identify early American authors and their writings. 2

5) Demonstrate an increased awareness of the problems and difficulties faced by early Americans. VIII. Evaluation and Assessment The final grade in literature courses is composed of the following: (1) an objective test average constituting 30% of the final grade and (2) compositions making up 70% of the final grade. At least one (1) essay will be written in class. Pop-tests/essays may be given to ensure that students read the assignments; pop-tests/essays are classwork grades and cannot be made up. The point distribution for the pop-tests/essays is left to the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the typewritten summary of the oral presentation counts as an essay and is graded by the essay grading system(if assigned). All essays are required to by typed according to MLA specifications and/or instructor requirements. Each student may be required to do an oral presentation on a literary topic from a list of topics furnished by the instructor. The oral presentation is graded according to a departmental presentation rubric and counts as an objective test. The typewritten essay submitted with the oral presentation (if required) counts as an essay and is graded by a departmental rubric. At least two major compositions will be written; in these essays, the student analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates literary works and/or relates assigned literature to other disciplines and to broader human concerns. At least one of these essays will demonstrate the student s knowledge and understanding of literary research and scholarship through required Modern Language Association documentation of sources. Departmental scoring rubrics are used to calculate grades on written assignments. Failure to submit outlines, rough drafts, and Works Cited pages (if assigned) will result in a 20- point deduction from the final essay score for each missing item. If a student is absent on a final draft day, the grade earned will be a zero (unless the instructor gave prior approval). Grades will be given based upon A = 90 100%, B = 80 89%, C = 70 79%, D = 60 69%, and F = below 60%. How to figure your grade Your grade for English 251 will be based on a 70/30 split with 70% of your grade coming from your essay scores and 30% of your grade coming from your test scores. An example is provided below. Please note that the number of tests or essays assigned as well as the weight for each of these may vary from instructor to instructor. The following example assumes 2 tests and 6 essays are assigned and that all are weighted equally. 3

Assignment Percentage of Total Grade Your Grade Formula = Grade x Percentage Points Earned Test 1 15% 72 72 x.15 10.8 Test 2 15% 84 84 x.15 12.6 30% Essay 1 11.66% 82 82 x.1166 9.6 Essay 2 11.66% 86 86 x.1166 10.0 Essay 3 11.66% 80 80 x.1166 9.3 Essay 4 11.66% 94 94 x.1166 11.0 Essay 5 11.66% 92 92 x.1166 10.7 Essay 6 11.66% 96 96 x.1166 11.2 70% Final Grade = Sum of Points Earned 85.2% IX. Assignments All parts of all essays must be written in class, and students cannot bring prewritten materials of any kind to class (unless otherwise specified by the instructor). All in-class assignments must be completed within the scheduled class time. The instructor reserves the right to reassign a grade on any assignment a student submits for the course. All outlines, essays, Works Cited, presentations, pop tests, scantrons, and activities must remain in student folders and/or the possession of the instructor. Once graded, all materials are property of WSCC; if a folder disappears, the student is held responsible, and zeroes will be awarded for all missing assignments. X. Academic Integrity Policy Evidence of cheating or plagiarism (fabrication or misuse of sources, misrepresenting another s words or ideas as one s own) means that the student will receive a zero on the assignment or test on the first offense and an F for the course on the second offense with the possibility of further sanctions as specified by the Student Regulations and Handbook section of the college catalog. Academic integrity is important if students are to be successful learners. The Wallace State Community College General Catalog emphasizes the importance of the Academic Integrity Code. Students at WSCC are expected to be honest in doing all work for every class and must avoid academic dishonesty. 4

Cheating Cheating refers to any act in which a student gets or gives unauthorized assistance on any assignment. Having other students or outside individuals proofread work or assist with assignments is considered cheating unless the instructor has authorized this action. Using online editing or proofreading services is considered cheating unless you have approval from your instructor prior to submitting your work to be edited. Your instructor will inform you if group work, peer editing, or assistance from a tutor is acceptable; otherwise, you should always assume that work must be done independently. Giving answers to another student or receiving answers from another student is cheating. During a test or quiz, students should only use the materials allowed by the instructor. Students should not talk or communicate with other students in any way during a test. All electronic devices pagers, PDAs, etc. must be turned off before entering the classroom. Cell phones are not permitted in class. If a cell phone goes off in class, the student will be dismissed from that class meeting and will not be allowed to make up work. Plagiarism [Note: This section on plagiarism is taken directly from the syllabi of Bruce Terry, Professor of Bible and Humanities at Ohio Valley College.] Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's work as your own, whether you mean to or not. Copying or paraphrasing passages from another writer's work without acknowledging that you've done so is plagiarism. Copying another writer's work without putting the material in quotation marks is plagiarism, even if credit is given. Allowing another writer to write any part of your essay is plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious crime. The maximum penalty at WSCC is expulsion from the college. Plagiarism is easy to avoid by acknowledging the source: If you're not sure how to quote or paraphrase a source or if you need help with the format of citations or references, check with your text and/or your instructor. If your instructor permits you to seek assistance from peers or tutors, you must still be certain that your written work is completely your own. Any or all assignments students submit for the course may be checked for plagiarism at the instructor s discretion using manual searches, Internet searches, or anti-plagiarism programs. 5

Recycled Work Please note that recycled work is not accepted in this class. If you have submitted an assignment to another instructor in the past or if you have submitted the same assignment to this instructor in the past, you may not re-submit any portion of that work again this semester. If you are repeating this course, be sure to submit new and original work when completing all assignments. For example, you cannot correct an essay that an instructor edited, graded, and returned to you last semester and then re-submit it to be graded again this semester to fulfill the requirements of this course. Instead, you must choose a new topic, use different sources (if applicable), and incorporate different information. When recycled work is checked for plagiarism, it comes up as 100% plagiarized material, thereby earning a grade of zero. All work you submit that contains recycled material will earn a grade of zero. Academic Integrity Pledge Each student is asked to make a simple honor pledge: I pledge on my honor that I will neither give nor receive any unauthorized assistance on all of my work submitted for this course and understand the rules/regulations/expectations of the English Department. *Pledge information taken from the WSCC 2007-2008 General Catalog (p.11). XI. Attendance Students are expected to attend all classes for which they are registered. Students who are unable to attend class regularly, regardless of the reason or circumstance, should withdraw from that class before poor attendance interferes with the student s ability to achieve the objectives required in the course. Instructors cannot award a grade of W; a student must withdraw from the course. Withdrawal from class can affect eligibility for federal financial aid. Students are responsible for the full work of any course in which they are enrolled; therefore, students are responsible for attending all class meetings, being prompt, and taking all exams. Attendance is counted from the first scheduled class meeting. Only officially enrolled students (those listed on the instructor s roster as currently enrolled in the course) are permitted to attend classes. XII. Make-Up Work According to the Wallace State Community College Catalog, It is the decision of the instructor whether the student will be permitted to make up the class work missed. No make-up work will be given unless there is valid documentation for unavoidable absences: mandatory participation in WSCC activities, such as athletic or performing arts events; personal illness or accident; death of immediate family member(s); mandatory court appearances; and military service. An acceptable excuse must be brought to the instructor at the class meeting following the missed class(es). After the 6

next meeting, the excuse will not be accepted. Routine doctor or dentist visits are not excused. If a student fails to attend class, it is his/her responsibility to obtain the covered assignment and to be prepared for the next class. The instructor will not re-teach the material. Pop tests/pop essays are classwork grades and cannot be made up. Without proper documentation, missed tests, presentations, and essays will earn the grade of zero. Make-up tests will be different from original tests, ensuring greater difficulty, and all make-up work (without exception) will be given on a date and at a time and place specified by the instructor. A missed make-up test/assignment cannot be rescheduled. A maximum of three assignments may be made up per semester. XIII. Classroom Etiquette Students may be dismissed from class for disruptive behavior (e.g. sleeping, reading/working on other course assignments, routine tardiness, hygiene, and arguing/interrupting). A student who is dismissed from class may not return to subsequent classes until he/she has attended a conference with the instructor and the department chairperson. If the behavior continues, the student will be permanently removed from the class. Tardiness is unacceptable and may negatively affect your grade. Tardy students will not be permitted to make up quizzes or work that is already in progress when they arrive. Tardy students should wait until the instructor admits them before entering the classroom. If assignments are due at the beginning of class and a student is tardy, his/her assignment will be penalized 10 points. After class is dismissed, regardless of time, the assignment earns a zero. Students are expected to remain in class until they are dismissed by the instructor. Students are asked not to wear hats or caps during class. XIV. Statement of Discrimination/Harassment The College and the Alabama State Board of Education are committed to providing both employment and educational environments free of harassment or discrimination related to an individual s race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Such harassment is a violation of State Board of Education policy. Any practice or behavior that constitutes harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated. XV. Tutorial Services Free Structured Learning Assistance (SLA tutoring) will be available for this department. Details will be forthcoming. There is also a Tutoring Lab located on the 8 th floor of the Bailey Building. The Tutoring Lab offers free services to Wallace State students; appointments are not necessary. 7

XVI. Americans with Disabilities The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 state that qualified students with disabilities who meet the essential functions and academic requirements are entitled to reasonable accommodations. It is the student s responsibility to provide appropriate disability documentation to the College. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Coordinator is located on the 8th floor of the Bailey Building. Do not hesitate to ask for help. Please note that it is the student s responsibility to inform the instructor during the first week of classes if accommodations are needed. XVII. Instructor Assistance Instructors office locations and hours are made available to students each semester. Adjunct faculty will also give information as to where they may be reached for assistance. If a student has difficulty in a course, he/she should contact the instructor first. If the problem cannot be resolved between the student and the instructor, the student should contact the department chair, Dr. Mary Barnes at 256-352-8193 or mary.barnes@wallacestate.edu. XVIII. Communication WSCC has established e-mail as the recognized means for sending official information to students, faculty, and staff. Because the College has provided all students with an e-mail address, communications with WSCC employees should be conducted through this address and comply with the Computer Use Policy, while noting that this correspondence becomes official college record. It is the responsibility of all faculty, staff, and students to check their College e-mail on a frequent and consistent basis and to understand that they are not absolved from the responsibilities associated with the contents of electronic communications if the communications are not received and read on a timely basis. 8