English 340, 19Th Century American Novel (3 Credits)

English 340, 19th Century American Fiction (3 credits) Course Syllabus, Fall 2005

Instructor: Dr. Gary Totten Office Phone: 231-7158 Office: Minard 322H Office Hours: MWF 10-11 am E-Mail: [email protected] & by appt.

Course Description and Objectives: Catalog Description: Selected fiction reflecting problems and ideas, emphasizing the shift from romanticism to realism and naturalism, of the 19th century. Representative writers: Cooper, Hawthorne, Twain, Jewett, James, and Wharton, and includes minority voices.

Appropriate college writing and research skills will be expected from all students, including an understanding of proper MLA documentation style. The objectives of the course are as follows:

1. Students will become familiar with the aesthetic, cultural and historical contexts of 19th century American fiction. We will explore how the literary themes and strategies of American writers during this time reflect issues of race, class, gender, American identity (self and national), the frontier, urbanization, the rise of consumerism, and other concerns of the period. We will also discuss how these cultural and historical concerns influenced and were influenced by the change from literary romanticism to literary realism and naturalism.

2. Students will gain a greater appreciation for 19th century American literature, develop a greater expertise in the critical response to and interpretation of literature (in oral and written form), and become aware of the ongoing critical conversations that surround this literature.

General Education Outcomes: As a course fulfilling General Education requirements, the course fulfills two General Education Outcomes. Through course writing assignments and oral presentations, students will achieve GE Outcome #1, which is to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts and modes, using a variety of communication skills. Through course exams and writing assignments, students will also achieve GE Outcome #6, which is to integrate knowledge and ideas in a coherent and meaningful manner. Because the course is also approved for Cultural Diversity credit, students will consider theories of race and gender in relation to course texts.

Required Texts: Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of Seven Gables (Penguin, 19860 Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady (Norton, 1995) Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Houghton Mifflin, 2000) Sophie Callahan, Wynema (University of Nebraska Press, 1997) Frank Norris, McTeague (Norton, 1997) Sarah Orne Jewett, The Country of the Pointed Firs (Signet, 2000) Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth (Bedford, 1994) Additional course readings supplied by instructor or on reserve

Grading: Papers (5) 40%; Exams (2) 30%; In-Class and Group Work 20%; Attendance/Participation 10%

1 Papers: You will write five papers: one 3-5 page evaluation of a critical article (written collaboratively and presented to the class; preferably with a focus on an aspect of cultural diversity) and four one-page typed and single-spaced interpretation papers emphasizing cultural/new historical theory, gender studies, and critical race theory. You should complete two of these papers before midterm and two after. The critical theories and their application will be discussed at length in class. I will expect to see original ideas, careful readings of the primary text(s), intelligent and appropriate use of any critical secondary sources, and proper MLA documentation form. I will provide detailed handouts with instructions for these papers. Papers are due on the dates indicated. The final grade for later papers will be reduced one half letter grade for each day late.

Exams: You will write two take-home exams, a midterm and a final, consisting of essay questions based on our reading and class discussion.

In-Class & Group Work: You will work with your classmates on presentations and in small discussion groups; some of this work will be turn in for a grade. You will also complete various in-class writing assignments and there will be unannounced quizzes throughout the semester. If you are absent on a quiz day, you cannot make up the quiz.

Attendance and Participation: Attendance is not optional; participation is required. Each student is allowed to miss two class periods without penalty. Because I am giving you these two days, there are no excused absences, except for official school-sponsored activities (e.g. sports teams, band, etc.). Each student begins with 50 points; 5 points will be deducted from this total for every day over two that you are absent. You cannot participate in class discussion and do well on the reading quizzes and exams unless you are in class, prepared with the reading and/or other assignments for the day. Missing a large number of classes will negatively affect your grade. Please see me if extraordinary circumstances will require your absence for an extended time. Note: You will be considered absent if you arrive late, leave early, or sleep in class.

Classroom Etiquette: Because I rely on your comments and questions to keep class discussion going and to determine how you are handing the course material, I encourage you to participate in class discussions. However, I ask that you be respectful of the ideas and time of others—respond maturely and respectfully to others’ comments and give others a chance to speak; avoid monopolizing the conversation, even if others are hesitant to speak up. Also, please avoid interrupting others, including the instructor, when they are speaking. Raise your hand if you wish to be called on after the person currently speaking has finished. I will abide by these rules, as well, and will count on everyone to monitor themselves; if problems arise, I will speak privately to those involved.

Special Needs: If you need accommodations in this course because of a disability or other special needs, please discuss these needs with me as soon as possible.

2 Academic Honesty: All work in this course must be completed in a manner consistent with NDSU University Senate Policy, Section 335: Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct, found at the following URL: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/policy/335.htm.

Grading Scale: A 90-100 % C 70-79% F 0-59% B 80-89% D 60-69%

3 Engl 340, Class Schedule, Fall 2005

Note: I encourage you to read the introductions to the novels. Some of the introductions I will assign as required reading. This schedule is tentative and may change.

Aug. 23 Course Introduction; American Literary Romanticism; Preface to The House of the Seven Gables Aug. 25 American Literary Realism; Selections from Becker, Documents of Literary Realism (on reserve); Twain, “Fenimore Cooper’s Literary Offenses” (online: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/HNS/Indians/offense.html) Aug. 30 Hawthorne, The House of Seven Gables; Close Reading (handout) Sep. 1 The House of Seven Gables Sep. 6 The House of Seven Gables; Cutural/New Historical Theory (handout) Sep. 8 The House of Seven Gables; “Introduction” (vii); Group Presentation #1 Sep. 13 James, The Portrait of a Lady Sep. 15 The Portrait of a Lady; Gender Studies (handout) Sep. 20 The Portrait of a Lady; “The Art of Fiction (Norton/reserve) Sep. 22 The Portrait of a Lady; Group Presentation #2 Sep. 27 The Portrait of a Lady Sep. 29 Jewett, The Country of the Pointed Firs Oct. 4 The Country of the Pointed Firs; “Introduction” (vii) Oct. 6 The Country of the Pointed Firs; Four Related Stories:’ Group Presentation #3 Oct. 11 “Four Related Stories” Oct. 13 Midterm Exam Due; Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Oct. 18 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; Critical Race Theory (handout) Oct. 20 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Oct. 25 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; Group Presentation #4 Oct. 27 Callahan, Wynema Nov. 1 Wynema; “Introduction” (xiii) Nov. 3 Wynema Nov. 8 American Literary Naturalism; Selections from Becker (on reserve); Pizer, “Late Nineteenth-Century American Naturalism” (McTeague 306) Nov. 10 Norris, McTeague; “Zolaesque Naturalism” (Norton 263) Nov. 15 McTeague; Group Presentation #5 Nov. 17 McTeague; “Norris’ Definition of Naturalism” (Norton 271) Nov. 22 McTeague Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Break Nov. 29 Wharton, The House of Mirth; “Introduction” (Bedford 3) Dec. 1 The House of Mirth; Group Presentation #6 Dec. 6 The House of Mirth Dec. 8 The House of Mirth Dec. 15 Final Exam Due