Hill College
112 Lamar Drive
Hillsboro, TX 76645
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Prefix and Number
ENGL 2327 Section:
Course Title
Semester:
American Literature I
Instructor:
Contact: Phone:
E-mail:
ACGM Description:
ENGL 2327
A survey of American literature from the period of exploration and settlement through the Civil
War. Students will study works of prose, poetry, drama, and fiction in relation to their historical
and cultural contexts. Texts will be selected from among a diverse group of authors for what
they reflect and reveal about the evolving American experience and character.
Catalog Description:
Lecture Hours 3
Lab Hours 0
Semester Credit Hours 3
Pre-Requisite: Six semester hours of composition or approval of the instructor.
Introduction and Purpose:
The course is intended to acquaint students with the writings and writers of Early America. The
student should gain experience in expressing ideas in well organized, clearly defined prose, as
well as in the analysis of literature. American Literature I will satisfy degree requirements for Hill
College and for transfer credit to senior institutions.
Instructional Materials:
Textbook: Baym,Nina. Norton Anthology of American Literature: Volumes A and B. Eighth
Edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2012.
Supplies: Paper, pens, pencils, Scantron answer sheets as required, examination blue books,
collegiate dictionary, thesaurus
Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Identify key ideas, representative authors and works, significant historical or cultural events,
and characteristic perspectives or attitudes expressed in the literature of different periods or
regions.
2. Analyze literary works as expressions of individual or communal values within the social,
political, cultural, or religious contexts of different literary periods.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the development of characteristic forms or styles of expression
during different historical periods or in different regions.
4. Articulate the aesthetic principles that guide the scope and variety of works in the arts and
humanities.
5. Write research-based critical papers about the assigned readings in clear and grammatically
correct prose, using various critical approaches to literature.
Description of Institutional Core Objectives (ICO’s)
Given the rapid evolution of necessary knowledge and skills and the need to take into account
global, national, state, and local cultures, the core curriculum must ensure that students will
develop the essential knowledge and skills they need to be successful in college, in a career, in
their communities, and in life. Therefore, with the assistance of the Undergraduate Education
Advisory Committee, the Coordinating Board approved a 42-semester credit hour core
curriculum for all undergraduate students in Texas, including a statement of purpose, six core
objectives, and common component areas.
Statement of Purpose
Through the Texas Core Curriculum, students will gain a foundation of knowledge of human
cultures and the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and social
responsibility for living in a diverse world, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are
essential for all learning. Hill College faculty periodically evaluates the objectives included in the
Foundational Component Area of Language, Philosophy, and Culture.
Core Objective
College SLO
Course
SLO
1-4, 89
General Learning
Activities
Pre-writing,
brainstorming, outlining,
class and group
discussion
Critical Thinking
Skills
CT1: Generate and
communicate ideas by
combining, changing or
reapplying existing information
Communication
Skills
Use Any
CS1: Develop, interpret, and
express ideas through written
communication
1-4, 89
CS2: Develop, interpret, and
express ideas through oral
communication
1-3, 78
Pre-writing,
brainstorming, outlining,
writing multiple drafts to
conclude with a final
draft
Pre-writing,
brainstorming, outlining
to conclude with an oral
and visual presentation
Communication
Skills
Use Any
Assessment
Embedded
assessment
analysis, written
essays and
research papers
Embedded
assessment
analysis, written
essays and
research papers
Embedded
assessment
analysis, student
presentations
Communication
Skills
Use Any
CS3: Develop, interpret, and
express ideas through visual
communication
3, 7-9
Social
Responsibility
Use Any
SR1: Demonstrate intercultural
competence
4, 5, 6
Social
Responsibility
Use Any
Social
Responsibility
Use Any
SR2: Identify civic
responsibility
1-2, 7,
8
SR3: Engage in regional,
national and global communities
3, 7
Personal
Responsibility
PR1: Evaluate choices and
actions and relate consequences
to decision-making
1-9
Pre-writing,
brainstorming, outlining
to conclude with a visual
presentation
Class discussion, student
presentations
Class discussion, student
presentations, community
volunteer hours
Use research and blog
with students from
various countries with
varying cultural belief
systems
Class discussion, writing
from a different point of
view, creating a
cause/effect analysis
Embedded
assessment
analysis, power
point presentation
Students'
contribution to
discussion and
listening to other
students
Class discussion
of importance of
volunteering
Embedded
assessment
analysis and
research paper
Embedded
assessment
analysis, cause
and effect essay
The students’ success in completing these objectives will be measured using a set of
examinations and assignments described, in detail under the section of this syllabus headed
“Methods of Evaluation.”
An Annual Assessment Plan will be implemented each year to review the course.
Methods of Instruction:
This course will be taught using the traditional lecture with a question and answer period daily.
Audio-visual materials and computer based technology will be used when appropriate.
Methods of Evaluation:
The students' success in completing the core objectives within the Foundational Component
Area of Language, Philosophy, and Culture will be measured using rubric, exam, or embedded
assessment activity.
Grades in this course will be based on the following evaluative criteria:
1. Tests
Tests must be given for each major period studied. At least three major tests must be given
and no more than eight should be given.
2. Analytical papers based on specific literary works and/or oral presentations.
At least two major papers and/or oral presentations should be assigned during the course of
the semester.
3. Quizzes/short in-class written responses
The number of quizzes/written responses should be left to the instructor’s discretion.
Elements 1-3 will be weighted at 75% of the overall grade, but can be distributed at the
instructor’s discretion.
The final exam will be weighted at 25% of the overall grade.
MASTERY REQUIREMENTS
Mastery of material with a 60% accuracy minimum for earned credit
Readings, both required and supplemental, as assigned
Writing assignments completed punctually
Oral assignments, both group and individual, as assigned
Letter grades for the course will be based on the following percentages:
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
Below 60%
A
B
C
D
F
Course Outline:
Class policies:
Regular attendance at all class meetings is expected. Disruptions in class will not be tolerated.
Topic Outline:
Introduction to Colonial Period
I. Historical approach/introduction
II. Literary contributions (all or part)
I.
Smith
II. Bradford
III. Winthrop
IV. Williams
V. Bradstreet
VI. Taylor
VII. Hooker
VIII. Mather
IX. Edwards
X. Woolman
XI. Byrd
II.
The Neoclassic Age
I. Definition/introduction/historical background
II. Literary contribution (all or part)
I.
Franklin
II. Paine
III. de Crevecoeur
IV. Jefferson
V. Hamilton
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
Madison
Jay
Trumbull
Barlow
Wheatley
Freneau
Channing
John Adams
Abigail Adams
III. The Romantic Era
I. Historical approach/introduction
II. Literary contributions (all or part)
I.
Irving
II. Longfellow
III. Holmes
IV. Emerson
V. Thoreau
VI. Poe
VII. Hawthorne
VIII. Melville
IX. Wm. C. Bryant
X. James F. Cooper
IV. Early 19th Century
I. Historical approach/introduction
II. Literary contributions (all)
I.
Whitman
II. Dickinson
III. Sidney Lanier
IV. Henry Timrod
Disabilities/ADA
Reports of discrimination based on disability may be directed to the ADA/Section 504
coordinator. The College District designates the following person to coordinate its efforts to
comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, which
incorporates and expands the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended:
Name:
Dr. Heather Kissack
Position:
Executive Director of Human Resources
Address:
112 Lamar Drive, Hillsboro, TX 76645
Telephone: (254) 659-7731
Students with qualified and documented disabilities may request accommodations which will
enable them to participate in and benefit from educational programs and activities. Students
should contact the Academic Advising and Student Success Center for more details at:
254 659 7650 for Hillsboro, 817 760 5650 for Cleburne, or 817 295-7392 for Burleson.
EEO Statement
Hill College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment.
The college does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of age, race, color, religion,
sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status in the administration of its educational programs,
activities, or employment policies.
Instructor’s class content