American Literature Engl 2326
Stink Creek Book Club
There will be quizzes over informational essays found at the beginning
of each period. These informational essays should be read before the
week instruction will begin on that period.
Make sure you can connect authors with their works and their time
period. Also quizzable information.
Each period will have at least one 2-page response paper assigned
over a specific text from the book not covered in class. Response
papers will be uploaded to blackboard on the assigned due date.
You should be prepared to write and/or discuss the pieces assigned
that day.
In class work cannot be made up. All work is due on its assigned due
date.
Spring 2011
Instructor: Kim Wombles
Office: 30 Abilene
Office Hours: will be posted and available online at www.kwombles.com
Email: kim.wombles@cisco.edu
Course: English 2326
Section: TR 0935-1100
Course Description: Study of selected significant works of American
literature; may include study of movements, schools, or periods.
Research or critical paper required; three lecture hours per week.
Course Structure: Each section meets for a designated lecture time
twice a week.
Prerequisites: English 1301 and English 1302.
Transferability: This course is a requirement of the core curriculum for
the Associate of Arts degree.
Course Objectives & Goals: The study of literature at Cisco College is
a study of humanity and the ideas, values, actions, cultures, and
aesthetics it produces. Students who successfully complete literature
courses have been exposed to a variety of genres by a variety of
authors. As students study literature, they are able to develop a better
understanding of the human condition and the vital need for literature
within that condition.
In an effort to create an active learning environment to meet these
goals, literature courses will address and assess for the following
THECB Exemplary Educational Objectives for the Humanities:
1) To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the
humanities.
2) To understand those works as expressions of individual and human
values within an historical and social context.
3) To respond critically to works in the humanities.
4) To articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the
humanities. 5) To develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles
that guide or govern the humanities.
6) To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy,
and/or the arts on intercultural experiences.
Required Text:
Baym, Nina, ed. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Shorter
7th Ed. New York: Norton, 2008.
http://www.learner.org/amerpass/ampasspg3-30.pdf
Student Conduct, College Policies and Notices:
Students are expected to follow all classroom policies listed in the
course syllabus. College-wide policies can be found in the College
Catalog, the Student Handbook, and on the college website.
Course Content:
College-level courses may include controversial, sensitive, and/or adult
material. Students are expected to have the readiness for college-level
rigor and content.
Student Conduct:
Inappropriate behavior in any facet of the online classroom shall result,
at a minimum, in a request to leave class.
Cisco Catalog, pg. 30: http://www.cisco.
edu/s/926/images/editor_documents/Catalog%202008-2010v12.pdf
Student Handbook, pgs. 45-47
Grading Policy: Final course grades will be the average of all equally
weighted essays, exams, and discussion/participation grades;
discussion/participation grades will be given at the end of each month
of instruction and will be based on attendance, preparation, and
participation in class discussions.
Final exam will be 3 page paper over the role of mythology and
literature in forming our culture.
All assignments marked with letter grades corresponding to stable
numeric values: A+ 100; A 95; A- 92; etc. Revisions will be assigned
based on a student-instructor conference only.
Attendance Policy:
Cisco Catalog, pg. 31: http://www.cisco.
edu/s/926/images/editor_documents/Catalog%202008-2010v12.pdf
Student Handbook, pg. 27
Make-up Work & Late Work Policy:
In-class work cannot be made up. Major essays should be turned in
prior to an excused absence and will not be accepted late.
Academic Integrity:
Plagiarism of an essay, in part or entirely, will result in an F for the
course.
Cisco Catalog, pg. 30: http://www.cisco.
edu/s/926/images/editor_documents/Catalog%202008-2010v12.pdf
Student Handbook, pg. pg. 46
Student with Special Needs:
Students who qualify for specific accommodations under the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) should notify their instructors the first week
of class. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the necessary
documentation to the Special Populations Coordinator in the
Counselors’ Office.
Changes to the Syllabus: The schedule and procedures in this syllabus
are subject to change if deemed appropriate by the instructor.
Reading List to be assigned in class. Attendance will be important, as
work will be assigned for the next class in the prior class. Content of
course will vary each semester. Get a study buddy who can fill you in
on details if you must miss class.
Grading Standards for Composition Papers (includes response
assignments as well as longer papers)
An “A” Essay
• establishes a clear thesis
• offers strong and relevant supporting evidence, logically organized
• is clearly written with varied sentence structure, effective transitions,
and vivid language
• contains no more than 3 (if any) small grammatical/syntax/spelling
errors, none of which distract from the writer’s meaning
• is free of serious errors *
• is typed according to MLA format
A “B” Essay
• establishes a clear thesis, though it lacks the originality of the A essay
• offers relevant supporting evidence and is generally well-organized
• contains clear, though ordinary, language with mechanical transitions
• contains no more than 5 small grammatical/syntax/spelling errors,
which may distract from the writer’s meaning
• may contain no more than 2 serious errors *
• is typed according to MLA format
A “C” Essay
• has difficulty establishing a thesis or contains an unoriginal or unclear
thesis
• offers weak or overly-general supporting evidence that is loosely
organized
• contains decipherable main points, weak transitions, and awkward or
generic language
• contains frequent small grammatical/syntax/spelling errors which
interfere with the writer’s meaning
• may contain 3 or more serious errors *
• contains errors in MLA formatting
A “D” Essay
• lacks a thesis
• contains insufficient, or perhaps lacks, supporting evidence and has
serious organizational problems, making it difficult to reconstruct the
writer’s train of thought
• contains vague language that lacks transitions
• contains repeated small grammatical/syntax/spelling errors and
serious errors * that distract from the writer’s meaning
• contains serious errors in MLA formatting
An “F” Essay may contain any one of the following errors;
• may be incomplete
• may be plagiarized
• does not follow the assignment
• is riddled with serious errors
• is not typed in MLA format
A serious error is defined as a(n):
• Run-on (fused sentence or comma splice)
• Sentence fragment
• Subject/Verb agreement error
• Illogical shifts in verb tense, pronoun reference, or voice
Class Days
t/th
Week 1
18-Jan Introduction to Course,
explanation of grading criteria, first
reading assignments.
20-Jan What is literature?
Week 2
25-Jan
27-Jan
Week 3
1-Feb
3-Feb
Week 4
8-Feb
10-Feb
Week 5
15-Feb
17-Feb
Week 6
22-Feb
24-Feb
Week 7
1-Mar
3-Mar
Week 8
8-Mar
10-Mar
Week 9
22-Mar
24-Mar
Week 10
29-Mar
31-Mar
Week 11
5-Apr
7-Apr
Week 12
12-Apr
14-Apr
Week 13
19-Apr
21-Apr
Week 14
26-Apr
28-Apr
Week 15
3-May
5-May
Final exam: 3 page paper submitted to
blackboard by 10 May.