ENGLISH 2328 COURSE SYLLABUS
Part I: Course Information
Mini-Session 2013
When the student is ready, the teacher appears. (ancient proverb)
Art lives upon discussion, upon experiment, upon curiosity, upon variety of attempt, upon
exchange of views and the comparison of standpoints. . . .
(Henry James, “The Art of Fiction”)
Instructor
Name: Mr. Jeff Lindemann
Office location: Room C-218, West Loop Campus
Office hours:
Monday-Friday: 12:00-1:00
Office phone: 713-718-8853
E-mail: Jeff.Lindemann@hccs.edu
Learning Web: http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/jeff.lindemann
English 2328 Course Description
English 2328 is a critical study of major American writers from 1865 to the present. This course
requires substantial reading and research. Students who enroll in this course are strongly advised
to have passed English 1302 with a grade of “C” or better. Prerequisite is English 1302. Three
credit hours (Three lecture).
Textbooks
The Norton Anthology of American Literature, seventh edition, volumes C, D,
and E (The textbooks are optional since almost all materials are online.)
A paperback copy of Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire
Other Materials
Three ring binder for calendar, handouts, and literature that you wish to print
Grade Percentages
Essay #1: (25%) (1,000 words, two primary sources)
Essay #2: (25%) (1,000 words, two primary sources and two secondary sources)
Final Exam: (25%) A Streetcar Named Desire
Daily Grade Average (25%)
Grading Scale
A = Excellent (90-100): A+ = 100, A = 95, A- = 93
B = Good (80-89): B+ = 88, B = 85, B- = 83
C = Adequate (70-79): C+ = 78, C = 75, C- = 73
D = Needs work (60-69): D+ = 68, D = 65, D- = 63
F = Unacceptable (0-59): F+ = 58, F = anywhere between 0 – 57
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Other Abbreviations
L = Late (minus 10 points or a letter grade)
R = Revise (for no higher than 75)
P = Plagiarized (0 for the assignment/no opportunity for revision)
? = Question about assignment (See me!)
Grading Components
1. Content
2. Organization
3. Sentences
4. Diction
5. Punctuation, capitalization, and manuscript mechanics
Note on Major Sentence/Grammar Errors
Major grammar errors include fragment, comma splice, run-on, awkward/garbled
sentence, and subject-verb agreement errors. These errors will cause you to lose
valuable points on your essay. By the time you are a sophomore, you should not be
making these errors. We have on-site tutors and AskOnLine, our 24/7 on-line
tutoring service to help you with your out-of-class-essays before you submit them.
Attendance Policy
Regular attendance is required at Houston Community College. HCCS class policy states
that a student who is absent more than 12.5% (6 hours) of class may be administratively
dropped. Students who intend to withdraw from a course must do so themselves by the
official last day to drop. After the official drop date I am unable to assign you a grade of
“W”; I have no other option but to assign you a grade of “F” or an “FX” if you stop
attending. NOTE: Whenever you leave the classroom, you are not attending class!
Withdrawal Policy
The State of Texas has begun to impose penalties on students who drop courses
excessively. For example, if you repeat the same course more than twice, you have to pay
extra tuition. Beginning in the Fall of 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a law limiting
first time entering students to no more than six total course withdrawals throughout their
academic career in obtaining a certificate or baccalaureate degree. There may be future
penalties imposed.
If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you are
making as the final grade. This grade will probably be an “F.”
You should visit with your instructor, an HCC counselor, or HCC Online Student
Services to learn what, if any, HCC interventions might be offered to assist you to stay in
class and improve your performance. Such interventions could include tutoring, child
care, financial aid, and job placement.
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International Students
Receiving a “W” in a course may affect the status of your student visa. Once a “W” is
given for the course, it will not be changed to an “F” because of the visa consideration.
Please contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520 if you have any questions
about your visa status and any other transfer issues.
Student Course Reinstatement Policy
Students have a responsibility to arrange payment for their classes when they register,
either through cash, credit card, financial aid, or the installment plan. Students who are
dropped from their courses for non-payment of tuition and fees who request reinstatement
after the official date of record can be reinstated by making payment in full and paying an
additional $75.00 per course reinstatement fee. The academic dean may waive the
reinstatement fee upon determining that the student was dropped because of a college
error.
Please note: If you are dropped for non-payment, you run the risk of not being able to
renter the course you selected because it filled to seat capacity before you were ready to
pay.
HCC Student Email Accounts
All students who have registered and paid for courses at HCC automatically have an
HCC email account generated for them. Please go to http://www.hccs.edu/students/email/
to review how to send email using this account. You must use your HCC email account
when you want to contact the on-line tutors.
Daily Grades
Daily grades are worth twenty-five percent of your grade. They are usually ten multiplechoice questions on the homework readings. I give no make-ups on daily quizzes. On
some days, I give two daily quizzes. I do not give early daily quizzes before class or late
quizzes after class. You may drop two quiz grades.
Special Conditions
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision,
hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the
Disability Services Office at the Southwest College at the beginning of each semester.
Faculty members are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the
Disability Support Services Office. You may contact Dr. Becky Hauri, counselor for the
Southwest College Office of Disabilities at becky.hauri@hccs.edu .
Free English Tutoring
The Southwest College offers you free tutoring at our tutoring centers where you will
receive individual attention with any of your writing concerns. Check with me for
location, dates, and times of tutoring. Signs will be posted once the hours have been
established for the semester. Electronic tutoring is also available 24/7 at
www.hccs.askonline.net.
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Open Computer Lab
You have free access to the Internet and word processing in the open computer lab.
Check on the door of the open computer lab for hours of operation.
Library
The West Loop Library homepage (for hours) is
http://swc2.hccs.edu/swc/0506/library/westloop_lib.php .
The HCC Library homepage (for research) is
http://www.hccs.edu/system/library/library.html .
Student Organizations
Two organizations of interest to students taking English classes are Southwest Writers, a
group of students who write and read their works (in a public forum as well as on the
Internet) and receive peer support and constructive criticism. Students in this group create
a supportive network to create poetry, fiction, drama and non-fiction prose. Contact
faculty advisor Dr. Christopher Dunne at
Christopher.Dunne@hccs.edu.
Phi Theta Kappa is the honor society of two-year colleges. Students must earn a 3.5 grade
point average and accumulate 12 credit hours at HCCS. HCCS has a very active chapter
called the Omega Sigma Chapter. For contact information visit www.omegasigma.org or
contact the Southwest College faculty advisor Ms. Eunice Kallarackal at
Eunice.Kallarackal@hccs.edu.
The Gender Studies Club meets each month and online to discuss the roles of women and
men in society and to investigate how sexual differences and cultural constructions of
gender may affect identity. The organization promotes awareness of gender issues on
campus, encourages research and discussion of gender issues, hosts prominent speakers
in the field, and serves the community. Faculty advisors are Ms. Marie Dybala at
Marie.Dybala@hccs.edu and Ms. Amy Tan at Amy.Tan@hccs.edu.
Inclement Weather
During inclement weather conditions, monitor major local channels for updates on school
closings.
Due Dates and Make-Up Exams
All essays have due dates. Out-of-class essays turned in late are docked a letter grade (ten
points). In-class essays taken late (for any reason) are docked a letter grade.
Grade of “I”
An “I” is assigned for a missed final due to an emergency, not for unfinished coursework
such as a research paper. All work must be submitted by the end of the semester, even if
it is not finished. A student has 60 days to complete the missed final. After 60 days a
grade of “I” incomplete becomes an “F.” I am unable to give a final after 60 days.
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My Course Policies (Reasonable Behavioral Guidelines)
1. Please come to class on time. Time missed before class is subtracted from the 12.5%
attendance policy. Leaving class early or arriving late also results in time subtracted from
the 12.5% attendance policy. Whenever you leave class, you are not in attendance.
2. Sorry! No sleeping or heads on desks permitted. If you fall asleep, I’ll wake you up by
tapping on your desk.
3. If you must leave early, please tell me before class starts.
4. No food allowed in class. Beverages are fine. Please throw away trash at end of the
class session.
5. I dismiss class ten-fifteen minutes early; therefore, do not pack books before I dismiss
class.
6. Please do not chat with class colleagues during discussion. Let us listen to what our
class members have to contribute.
7. An 89.4 average at the end of the semester is a B. A 79.4 average at the end of the
semester is a C.
8. The time to discuss an essay grade is after it is returned, not at the end of the semester.
9. The out-of-class essays must be typed in Times Roman.12
10. If for some reason, I am more than fifteen minutes late, class is dismissed. Follow
your course calendar and complete any assignments for the next session.
11. Save an electronic copy of your out-of-class essays.
12. If you miss the final exam, contact me immediately. You will have to take a make-up,
which will be different from the exam I give the class. If I don’t hear from you, I will
assume you do not wish to take it, and therefore, I assign a grade of “0.”
13. You must be making an “A” or “B” (and have good “attitude”) in order for me to
write you a letter of recommendation during the semester. You must have made an “A”
or “B” (and have had a good “attitude”) in the course in order for me to write you a letter
of recommendation after the semester ends. I do not write “last minute” letters of
recommendation. I need a notice of at least two weeks to write you a thoughtful letter and
place it on HCC stationary.
14. Good learning attitude, cooperative demeanor, and courteous behavior all go a long
way with me!
Personal Electronics Policies (A Note to the “Thumb Generation”)
1. Turn off your cell phones. The sounds of cell phones ringing during class are
disruptive to me and other students.
2 Students should not leave the class to make a call or answer one (or worse—answer a
call in class).
3. No Bluetooth devices in ears allowed during class.
4. You can answer your calls and make calls before or after class (or during the break
for three hour class sessions).
5. If you have an impending emergency and need to keep an electronics device turned
on, I would like to know as soon as class starts.
Consequences for Violating Basic and Reasonable Standards of Conduct
I view the use of personal electronic devices during class to be a distraction of the normal
educational process and a failure on your part to abide by basic and reasonable standards
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of classroom conduct. If you are text messaging to someone during class, you are
obviously not engaged in the classroom experience.
If I have to ask you to put away a cell phone, text messaging device, or other electronic
communications device, then you will have disrupted/disturbed the class, and I, as the
instructor, will ask you to leave that day’s class session. (If you have been asked to leave
class and subsequently miss a daily quiz, you may not make up that daily quiz.)
Use of Cameras and Recording Devices
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in
classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring,
or testing occurs. These devices are also not allowed to be used in campus restrooms.
Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable
accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information
regarding reasonable accommodations.
Scholastic Dishonesty
According to the 2006-2009 Student Handbook for the Houston Community College
System :
“Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling
course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by
College System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. ‘Scholastic
dishonesty’ includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.”
Cheating on a test includes:
Copying from another student’s test paper;
Using materials during a test that are not authorized by the person giving the test;
Collaborating with another student during a test without authority;
Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part
the contents of an unadministered test; and/or
Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged
incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written
work offered for credit” (34-35).
Please note the possible consequences of such dishonesty, as stated in the 2006-2009
Student Handbook: Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade
of “0” or “F” for the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation
for probation or dismissal from the College System (35).
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will, by the end of the semester:
1. Explain and illustrate stylistic characteristics of representative works of major American
writers from 1865 to the present (since the Civil War).
2. Connect representative works of major American writers from 1865 to the present to
human and individual values in historical and social contexts.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of various works of major American writers from 1865 to the
present.
4. Analyze critical texts relating to the works of major American writers from 1865 to the
present.
5. Critique and interpret representative literary works of major American writers from 1865
to the present.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Enjoy the experience of the course!
2. Explain the characteristics and distinguishing features of literary genres:
a. non-fiction prose,
b. fiction (short story and novel),
c. poetry, and
d. drama.
3. Use critical contexts within which literature is created and evaluated:
a. formal (elements of literature),
b. biographical,
c. historical,
d. gender studies (feminist),
e. psychological, and
f. reader response.
4. Make and defend critical judgments about literature.
5. Stretch the imagination.
6. Practice and refine research skills.
7. Write a research paper.
8. Practice and improve study skills.
9. Learn on your own. (“Learn how to learn.”)
10. Work cooperatively with others.
11. Organize time efficiently.
EDUCATIONAL COMPETENCIES IN HCCS CORE CURRICULUM
Reading: Reading material at the college level means having the ability to analyze and interpret
a variety of printed materials--books, articles, and documents.
Writing: Writing at the college level means having the ability to produce clear, correct, and
coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. In addition to knowing correct
grammar, spelling and punctuation, students should also become familiar with the writing
process, including how to discover a topic, how to develop and organize it, and how to phrase it
effectively for their audience. These abilities are acquired through practice and reflection.
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Speaking: Effective speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and
persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience.
Listening: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms
of spoken communication.
Critical Thinking: Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both qualitative and
quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to construct alternative
strategies. Problem solving is one of the applications of critical thinking used to address an
identified task.
Critical thinking as applied to the study of literature involves
1. connecting patterns and motifs in works of literature,
2. looking for relevant information that supports your assertions,
3. interpreting literature,
4. solving literary problems,
5. drawing conclusions, and
6. tolerating ambiguity and complexity in literature.
Computer Literacy: Computer literacy at the college level means having the ability to use
computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information.
Core-educated students should have an understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities
associated with the use of technology and should have the tools necessary to evaluate and learn
new technologies as they become available.
EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR HUMANITIES

Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.

Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical
context.

Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.

Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance and comprehend the physical and
intellectual demands required of the author or visual or performing artist.

Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.

Develop an appreciation for aesthetic principles that guide and govern the humanities and
arts.

Demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy, and/or the arts on
intercultural experiences.
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EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR CROSS/MULTI-CULTURAL
STUDIES

Establish broad and multiple perspectives in the individual in relationship to the larger
society and world in which we live and understand the responsibilities of living in a
culturally and ethnically diversified world.

Demonstrate knowledge of those elements and processes that create and define culture

Understand and analyze the origin and function of values, beliefs, and practices found in
human societies.

Develop basic cross/multi-cultural understanding, empathy, and communication.

Identify and understand underlying commonalities of diverse cultural practices.

Analyze the effects of cultural forces on the area of study.
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MY GRADE ROSTER
You can keep a running record of your grades in this course. At any given moment during the
semester, you should have a very good idea of what your grade is in this course.
Your Exam Grades:
_____ Essay #1 (25%) Realism and naturalism (fiction and poetry)
_____ Essay #2 (25%) Modern poetry and fiction
_____ Final Exam (25%) A Streetcar Named Desire plus poetry and fiction
_____ Daily Grade Average (25%)
Daily Quiz Grades:
_____ Quiz #1
_____ Quiz #11
_____ Quiz 21
_____ Quiz #2
_____ Quiz #12
_____ Quiz 22
_____ Quiz #3
_____ Quiz #13
_____ Quiz 23
_____ Quiz #4
_____ Quiz #14
_____ Quiz 24
_____ Quiz #5
_____ Quiz #15
_____ Quiz 25
_____ Quiz #6
_____ Quiz #16
_____ Quiz #7
_____ Quiz #17
_____ Quiz #8
_____ Quiz #18
_____ Quiz #9
_____ Quiz #19
_____ Quiz #10
_____ Quiz #20
Reminder: No make-ups on daily quizzes. I will drop the two lowest daily grades at the end of
the semester.
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ENGLISH 2328 COURSE SYLLABUS
Part II: Course Calendar
Mini-Term 2012
WEEK ONE
SESSION #1 (Monday, December 16th)
 Introduction to English 2328
 Course objectives, grades, class policies
 Overview of English 2328
 Reading Guides
 Reading and marking the text
 American literary realism
Assignment for Session #2: Read brief biography of Mark Twain and “The Celebrated Jumping
Frog of Calaveras County.” Read brief introduction to Henry James and Daisy Miller: A Study.
SESSION #2 (Tuesday, December 17th)
 Realism: Frontier humor
 Mark Twain
 “How to Tell a Story” (on our Learning Web)
 “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”
 Realism: Psychological realism
 Henry James
 Daisy Miller: A Study
Assignment for Session #3: Read brief biography of Mary Wilkins Freeman and “The Revolt of
Mother.” Read brief biography of Sarah Orne Jewett and “A White Heron.” Read brief
biography of Kate Chopin and “The Storm.” Read brief biography of Stephen Crane and “The
Open Boat.”
SESSION #3 (Wednesday, December 18th)
 Realism: Regionalism
 Mary Wilkins Freeman: “The Revolt of Mother”
 Sarah Orne Jewett: “A White Heron”
 Realism: Naturalism
 Kate Chopin: “The Storm”
 Stephen Crane: “The Open Boat”
 Poetry by Stephen Crane (in class)
Assignment for Session #4: Read brief biography of Charles W. Chesnutt and “The Wife of His
Youth.” Read brief biography of Sui Sin Far and “In the Land of the Free.” Read brief
biography of Hamlin Garland and “Under the Lion’s Paw.”
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SESSION #4 (Thursday, December 19th)
 Charles W. Chesnutt: “The Wife of His Youth”
 Sui Sin Far: “In the Land of the Free”
 Hamlin Garland: “Under the Lion’s Paw”
 Writing topics for Essay #1
 Writing an essay on literature
Assignment for Session #5: Finish Essay #1 and have it ready to submit on Session #5.
SESSION #5 (Friday, December 20st)
 Essay #1 due at beginning of class
 Modern poetry
 Robert Frost: Poems (assigned in class)
 The Harlem Renaissance
 Video: Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance
 Langston Hughes: Poems assigned in class
Assignment for Session #6: Read brief biography of Arna Bontemps and “A Summer Tragedy”
(handout). Read brief biography of Zora Neal Hurston and “The Gilded Six Bits.” Read brief
biography of Willa Cather and read “Neighbor Rosicky.
WEEK TWO
SESSION #6 (Monday, December 23rd)
 Zora Neal Hurston: “The Gilded Six Bits”
 Arna Bontemps: “A Summer Tragedy”
 Willa Cather: “Neighbor Rosicky”
Assignment for Session #7: Read brief biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald and “Winter Dreams”
and “Babylon Revisited.”
SESSION #7 (Tuesday, December 24th)
 Modern poetry: Imagism (poems assigned in class)
 F. Scott Fitzgerald
 Biography on F. Scott Fitzgerald (video)
 “Winter Dreams”
 “Babylon Revisited”
Assignment for Session #8: Read brief biography of Ernest Hemingway and “A Clean WellLighted Place” and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.”
HOLIDAY: Christmas (Wednesday, December 25th)
SESSION #8 (Thursday, December 26th)
 Modern poetry (in class)
 Ernest Hemingway
 Biography on Ernest Hemingway (video)
 “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” (handout)
 “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”
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Assignment for Session #9: Read brief biography of William Faulkner and “A Rose for Emily.”
Read brief biography of Flannery O’Connor and “Good Country People.” Read brief biography
of Alice Walker and “Everyday Use.”
SESSION #9 (Friday, December 27th)
 Modern poetry (in class)
 Southern writers
 William Faulkner: “A Rose for Emily”
 Flannery O’Connor: “Good Country People”
 Alice Walker: “Everyday Use”
 Writing topics for Essay #2
Assignment for Session #10: Finish Essay #2 and have it ready to submit on Session #10.
WEEK THREE
SESSION #10 (Monday, December 30st)
 Essay #2 due
 Modern poetry (in class)
Assignment for Session #11: Read brief biography of Sandra Cisneros and “Woman Hollering
Creek.” Read brief biography of Amy Tan and “Two Kinds.”
SESSION #11 (Tuesday, December 31st)
 Modern poetry, continued (in class)
 The Legends of La Llorona
 Sandra Cisneros: “Woman Hollering Creek”
 Amy Tan: “Two Kinds” from The Joy Luck Club
Assignment for Session #12: Read brief biography of Raymond Carver and “Cathedral.” Read
brief biography of Amy Hempel and “In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried.”
HOLIDAY: New Year’s Day (Wednesday, January 1st)
SESSION #12 (Thursday, January 2nd)
 Raymond Carver: “Cathedral”
 Amy Hempel: “In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried”
 Introduction to Tennessee Williams
 Elements of modern drama
Assignment for Session #13: Read brief biography of Tennessee Williams and Scenes 1-4 of A
Streetcar Named Desire.
SESSION #13 (Friday, January 3rd)
 A Streetcar Named Desire (Scenes 1-4)
Assignment for Session #14: Read Scenes 5-8 of A Streetcar Named Desire.
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SESSION #14 (Monday, January 6th)
 A Streetcar Named Desire (Scenes 5-8)
Assignment for Session #15: Read Scenes 9-11 of A Streetcar Named Desire.
SESSION #15 (Tuesday, January 7th)
 A Streetcar Named Desire (Scenes 9-11)
 Review for the Final Exam
Assignment for Session #16 (final exam session) Study for Final Exam on A Streetcar Named
Desire.
SESSION #16 (Wednesday, January 8th)
 Final exam: A Streetcar Named Desire plus poetry and fiction
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