Crafting an American Literature College Course Syllabus: A Comprehensive Guide

This article explores the essential elements of an American Literature college course syllabus, drawing upon a detailed framework designed to provide students with a robust understanding of American literary history, critical analysis skills, and cultural awareness. This syllabus aims to immerse students in the rich tapestry of American literature, from the Modernist period to contemporary works, while fostering critical thinking and analytical prowess.

Introduction

The syllabus serves as a roadmap for both the instructor and the students, outlining the course objectives, readings, assignments, and grading policies. It is designed to provide a structured and engaging learning experience, encouraging students to explore the diverse voices and perspectives that shape American literary identity. A well-crafted syllabus not only informs students about the course requirements but also inspires them to delve deeper into the subject matter and develop a lifelong appreciation for literature.

Course Description

A survey of American literature over the last century, beginning with the Modernist period and the first World War, forms the core of this course. Through readings of fiction, poetry, drama, and essays, students are introduced to major authors and significant movements in American literary history. The course emphasizes the selection of authors from a variety of cultural traditions within the United States. As the course progresses, it considers how individual authors respond to and diverge from the traditions and influences of those who came before. A central focus is the identification of what is specifically "American" about American literature.

Prerequisite Knowledge

While not explicitly required, a prior history course is recommended to provide students with a broader context for understanding the social, political, and cultural influences that have shaped American literature. Additionally, some courses require ENGL 1301 as a prerequisite.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

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Comprehend and Analyze: Read American literature carefully and demonstrate comprehension through identification of and commentary on details, tone, audience, distinguishing features, and cultural assumptions.
Identify and Describe: Identify, describe, and compare the characteristics and dominant themes of major movements and schools within American literature since 1900, as well as significant authors of that time.
Recognize Contributions: Identify the contributions made to American literature by women and members of a variety of cultural traditions, and discuss this work in the context of specific social and cultural contexts.
Communicate Effectively: Respond to prompts in written English that is clear and mechanically sound.
Synthesize Arguments: Synthesize original arguments about the meaning and form of literary texts, supported with evidence from the readings and supplementary research.
Draw Conclusions: Draw conclusions about American literature, culture, and history from the readings.
Reflect and Revise: Reflect on and revise previous assumptions about American literature and history.
Utilize Research Sources: Access, evaluate, and employ research sources for literary study.
Compare and Contrast: Compare and contrast texts by different authors and from different points in American literary history to draw original conclusions about theme, focus, tone, voice, and other literary qualities.
Analyze Literary Works: Analyze literary works as expressions of individual or communal values within social/ethical, political, cultural, or religious contexts of different literary periods.
Articulate Aesthetic Principles: Articulate the aesthetic principles that guide the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.

Course Activities and Grading

The course grade is typically determined by a combination of assignments designed to assess students' understanding of the material and their ability to apply critical thinking skills.

Assignments and Weight

Discussions: Engaging in online discussions (Weeks 1-8) to share insights and interpretations of the assigned readings (32%). Students create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion and reply to at least one classmate’s thread.
Response Papers: Writing short response papers (Weeks 1-6) to demonstrate comprehension and analytical skills (18%).
Research Paper: Conducting in-depth research and writing a comprehensive research paper (Week 7) (25%).
Final Exam: Completing a final exam (Week 8) to assess overall understanding of the course material (25%).
Essays: Composing critical analysis essays focusing on different periods of American literature, such as the Colonial Period, the Age of Reason/Revolutionary Period, and the American Renaissance/Romantic Period.
Practice Quizzes: Taking practice quizzes to prepare for the graded quizzes.
Quizzes: Completing quizzes to assess knowledge of specific literary periods and authors.

Grading Scale

The syllabus should clearly outline the grading scale used to determine students' final grades.

Required Textbooks and Materials

Access to the required textbooks is essential for success in the course.

Core Texts

The Norton Anthology of American Literature: Utilizing the 10th edition, Volumes C, D & E, edited by Robert S. Levine (2022). W.W. Norton & Co. ISBN-13: 978-0-393-88443-2. While no readings from Volume C are explicitly assigned, selections from the text can provide additional context and comparisons in discussions and writing assignments.
Gator Book Pack: Upon registration for classes, students are automatically charged for access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, lab codes, and electronic books on the first day of class through the Gator Book Pack. Students have until the second day of the semester to opt-out of the Gator Book Pack.

Selected Readings

The syllabus includes a selection of significant works of American literature, which may include the study of movements, schools, or periods.

Robert Frost: "Mending Wall," "Home Burial," "The Road Not Taken," "Birches," "Out, Out--," and "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening"
Wallace Stevens: "The Emperor of Ice Cream," "Anecdote of the Jar," and "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird"
William Carlos Williams: "Spring and All," "The Red Wheelbarrow," and "Landscape with the Fall of Icarus"
Ezra Pound: "In a Station of the Metro," "The River Merchant’s Wife," and "Canto I"
H.D.: All selections
T. S. Eliot: "The Love Song of J.
Sherwood Anderson: All selections
F. Kurt Vonnegut: All selections
Jack Kerouac: On The Road

Course Policies

The syllabus also outlines important course policies that students are expected to adhere to.

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Attendance and Participation

Regular class attendance and participation are vital to success in this class due to the high level of interaction and discussion. Attendance in an online course is verified by substantial participation in the course on or before the census date. Substantial participation in this online course is defined as logging in and completing/participating in at least one requirement of the course.

Late Work

Late work is generally not accepted. However, students who experience a serious illness or other extenuating circumstances should contact the instructor prior to any deadlines to make alternate arrangements, as needed.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Faculty who suspect violation of academic honesty, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or abuse of resource materials may assign an academic penalty.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a very serious offense, and all cases of plagiarism will be reported to the university for appropriate disciplinary action. Plagiarism includes using another’s words or ideas without proper citation, using another writer’s ideas without proper citation, citing your source but reproducing the exact words of a printed source without quotation marks, and borrowing the structure of another author’s phrases or sentences without crediting the author from whom it came.

Use of AI Technology

Students should use AI technology responsibly and ethically. This includes refraining from using AI to engage in harmful or unethical activities, such as generating false information, spreading misinformation, or engaging in malicious behaviors. The use of AI should align with the principles of academic integrity, honesty, and respect for others.

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Respectful Conduct

Throughout this course, we will delve into some heavy topics such as gender, race, religion, and racism. All students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner. We will all be respectful of everyone's thoughts and feelings. No disrespect will be tolerated. Students will be asked to leave the course if disruptive or inappropriate behavior is exhibited in any of the course requirements.

Students with Disabilities

Lamar State College Orange complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids for students with disability. Students who believe they have a disability requiring an academic adjustment/auxiliary aid are encouraged to contact the Special Populations Advisor.

COVID-19 Policy

Students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 are required to report their condition to their instructor and to the College via the COVID Notification Form.

Other Policies

The syllabus also includes policies on:

TimelyCare: A virtual health and well-being platform that is available 24/7 for all non-dual credit enrolled students.
Food and Housing Insecurity: Students who face challenges securing their food or housing and believe this may affect their performance in the course are encouraged to contact the advising office for guidance on how to identify possible resources.
Discrimination: LSCO prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation, against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Career Advising: Lamar State College Orange provides career advising services to all students and alumni through Career Coach, an online career planning tool.
Tutoring: Students are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to receive tutoring, support services, or access to an open computer lab.
Library Resources: Students are encouraged to visit library.lsco.edu to find the library's current operating hours, access the catalog to locate print materials, and access GatorSearch to explore the vast electronic collection.

Course Schedule

The syllabus includes a detailed course schedule outlining the topics to be covered each week, the assigned readings, and the due dates for all assignments.

Sample Schedule

Week 1: Introduction to American Literature; Modernism and the First World War.
Week 2: Readings from Robert Frost and Wallace Stevens.
Week 3: Readings from William Carlos Williams and Ezra Pound.
Week 4: Readings from H.D. and T. S. Eliot.
Week 5: Readings from Sherwood Anderson and F. Kurt Vonnegut.
Week 6: Response Paper Due.
Week 7: Research Paper Due.
Week 8: Final Exam.

Essay Prompts and Expectations

The syllabus provides detailed essay prompts designed to encourage critical thinking and analytical skills.

Sample Essay Prompts

Hidden or Veiled America: Explore the idea of a hidden or veiled America-more troubling and unsettling than the “America” that is often bragged about in grandiose political speeches, or mythologized in slogans such as “the land of the free”-as it emerges in many of the texts read in this course.
The Human Body and Sexuality: Select at least two texts read during this course which in the past have challenged mainstream American attitudes toward the body and toward sexuality.
Fuller vs. Momaday: Compare and contrast Fuller’s Summer on the Lakes with Scott Momaday’s The Way to Rainy Mountain.

Essay Expectations

Essays should represent the student's own thinking and writing and should not be plagiarized. Essays should be well-organized, with a clear thesis statement, supporting evidence from the readings, and a solid concluding paragraph.

Additional Resources

The syllabus may also include a list of additional resources that students can use to enhance their understanding of the course material.

Online Resources

Blackboard: Students will access Blackboard through the MyGator portal.
Career Coach: An online career planning tool provided by Lamar State College Orange.
Upswing: An online tutoring platform.
Library Resources: Access to the library's catalog and electronic collections through library.lsco.edu.

Support Services

Advising Office: Provides guidance on how to identify possible resources for students facing food or housing insecurity.
Special Populations Advisor: Provides reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students with disabilities.
Tutoring Services: Offers face-to-face and online supplemental instruction sessions.

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