Dr. Fan A. Shen

Early American Literature

Fall 2000

Office: MH 336

Phone: 285-7518

Office Hours: MWRF 10-11

Welcome to “Early American Literature”!

Aim of the Course: Through reading of a variety of selections from the early 16th century to the mid-19th century, we will examine the beginnings and major development of the literature in America. Discussion and lecture will take into account not only the formula, aesthetic, and symbolic aspects of the works but also their place in American cultural and intellectual history.
The nature and direction of the course will be determined at least in part by the class members. I plan to gear report assignments and discussions to the particular interests and abilities of the students in the class, trying to take maximum advantage of everyone's particular skills while not intimidating anyone. Much of our work in class will be a matter of pooling information and looking at our authors from a variety of critical, historical, aesthetic, and personal angles.

Text: The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Volume I. 1998

Oral Presentation: Each student will give at least one oral presentation on his or her understanding of a reading assignment (three to five minutes) and lead the class discussion on this assignment. The presentation can include a bit of background information about the author's life and his/her literary career. You should prepare a two to three page written report and submit it after the oral presentation. This assignment will be graded and counted as 30% of your final grade.

Quizzes: There will be three short multiple-choice quizzes and they count for 30% of your final grade. If you failed or missed a quiz, you can write a two to three page critical paper (on the authors covered in the quiz) to make up for the quiz.

Final Paper: The final paper should be a comparison paper (minimum three pages, double space, 40% of your final grade). I will give you possible topics in class. The deadline for the final paper: December 18.

Conference: One of the best ways of learning is to talk to instructors informally. I encourage you to see me during my office hours either for serious discussions or just a chat.

Class Participation: Class participation is crucial to your final grade. This means two things: 1) you should finish all the reading assignments before class; and 2) you should contribute actively to class discussions. If you seldom participate in class discussion, you will lose 10% of your final grade.

Attendance: Not an option. With three absences, your final grade will drop a letter. With four or more absences, you will fail the class. If you have miss three or more classes with legitimate reasons, you need to talk to me on making up for the loss.

Lateness: Lateness disrupts the instructor's teaching and the concentration of the students. Please be courteous to other people in class and come to class on time. Three latenesses will be counted an absence.

Grades: Your grade will be based on your work in quizzes, oral report, classroom participation, and the final paper. Grading is done on a "curve." You are not competing with anyone but yourself. Your course grade is cumulative, with the emphasis on your progress through the semester.

Plagiarism: "Kidnapping" ideas of others is a serious offence. If caught (whether in quizzes or in the final paper), you will receive an "F" for the course immediately and be reported to the college.

Disruptive Behaviors: Disruptive behaviors include (but not limited to) chatting, passing notes, eating, leaving the classroom during a class (except for an emergency), and coming to class late habitually.
For the first offence, you will receive a warning. For the second offence, you will be asked to leave and will be suspended from the class. Again, please be considerate to your fellow students in the class.

Suggestions: I welcome any suggestion about the class (the pace, the reading material, the lectures, etc.). Good Luck!