Syllabus

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AML 2070: Survey of American Literature
Section 8599: Examining Forms & Modes

Fall 2011
Tuesday Periods 2-3; Thursday Period 3
Matherly Room 002

Instructor: Gary Hink
Office: Turlington 4361 (Periods 4-5, and by appointment)

 
 

Overview

 

In surveying selections of American literature across genres, we will not ask what the texts mean, but how they function. Our method will involve reading and discussing texts with an analytic perspective as well as learning from the unique mode of literary writing, with an orientation particular to Humanities disciplines: distinguished from historical or sociological discourse, we will study the literary expression of experience, specifically the prevalent form of narrative in relation to other modes of reference and image. Our study examines the ways literary expression operates in several forms, through the connection of form and content—conveying something distinctly “American,” in terms of experience and artistic style. This approach serves two aims: understanding how literature works, through the particular qualities of texts from a wide range of authors and periods; developing our “critical thinking” and effectively articulating new ideas and insights, in writing both informal and scholarly.
 

One premise for our approach: the beliefs and myths that came to define “American” history, identity, and values during the twentieth century are not reproduced uniformly by culture, as we will see in a variety of works by American authors. With this in mind, we will consider the significant connection between individual and collective narratives, as our texts highlight—engaging critically rather than reproducing views about society and culture. A specific question for our study concerns the connection of form and content regarding identity—in terms of gender, sexuality, race, class, and culture—throughout literary developments: conveying experience of a diverse network through multiple modes. By examining “fluxes of expression and content” in varied texts, we will progressively attain and articulate ideas about the significance of literary modes: Story; References historical, cultural, geographic; Image, Figure, Expression; Readers’ Engagement and Interaction.

 
 
 

Required Reading

 

 

  • Norton Anthology of American Literature, Shorter 7th Edition Volume 2 (Norton 2007)
     
  • Gardner, Janet. Writing About Literature 2nd Edition (Bedford, 2009)
     
  • One novel of student’s choice, for Analytic Essay 2 (read by 16-Nov)
     
    • Excerpts / selections, hosted online (ARES/Sakai):

        Abbott, H. Porter. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative 2nd Edition (2008)
        Hirshfield, Jane. Nine Gates: Entering the Mind of Poetry (1998)
        Barthes, Roland. Image-Music-Text (1978)
        Cixous, Hélène. Readings (1991)
        Hypertext fiction: Shelly Jackson, My Body (1997); Caitlin Fisher, These Waves of Girls (2001)
        American Passages: A Literary Survey website

 
 
 

Assignments and Grade Distribution

 

  • 5 Reading Responses (500 words, 10 points each) 35%

  • Essay 1: Analysis of Short Story—Narratology (1500-1800 words, 25 points) 15%
  • Essay 2: Analysis of Novel—Modes of Literature (2000 words, 30 points) 20%
  • Attendance and Participation 25%
      – in-class and online, including Discussion Leader tasks (two days per term)
       
      – Blog assessment: Weekly Entries (10) and “Inventory” (2) of Notes on readings & class topics.

 
 
 

Attendance and Participation

Attending class is vital to one’s success in this course, as we will frequently discuss and practice our critical approach to writing about literature; lectures will be markedly relevant to assignments. Class discussion will occupy most sessions, though – thus, daily participation is both expected and recorded for the “Attendance and Participation” percentage of the final grade.
Hint: Participation illustrates having read for that day; this precludes pop “reading check” quizzes, which will be assigned if necessary.
More specifically, each student will be responsible for introducing a particular reading twice during the semester, starting 06-Sept.

Arriving late receives ¼ participation penalty — three times late will equate to an absence.
Finally, every unexcused absence after the third will reduce the final grade by a letter; students will not pass the course after their sixth absence.