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COURSE SYLLABUS COLLIN COLLEGE
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Number:
ENGL 2327
Course Title:
American Literature I
Course Description: 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. This course
is instructed completely online and offered through the College’s Distance Learning Program.
Course Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Prerequisite: ENGL 1302 or ENGL 2311
Student Learning Outcomes:
 State-mandated 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. (Social Responsibility)
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. (Critical
Thinking and Communication Skills)
Additional Collin Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be
able to do the following:
1. Demonstrate personal responsibility through the ethical use of intellectual property.
(Personal Responsibility)
Withdrawal Policy: See the current Collin Registration Guide for the last day to withdraw.
Collin College Academic Policies: See the current Collin Student Handbook
Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal,
state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable
accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s
responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-D140 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD:
972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin Student
Handbook for additional information.
Academic Ethics: Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the
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highest standards of academic integrity. Collin College may initiate disciplinary proceedings
against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is
not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the
award of a degree, and/or the submission of one's own work material that is not one's own.
Scholastic dishonesty may involve, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts:
cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher's editions, use of
information about exams posted on the Internet or electronic medium, and/or falsifying
academic records. While specific examples are listed below, this is not an exhaustive list and
scholastic dishonesty may encompass other conduct, including any conduct through
electronic or computerized means.
Plagiarism is the use of an author's words or ideas as if they were one's own without giving
credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an
examination; collaborating with another student during an examination without authority;
using, buying, selling, soliciting, stealing, or otherwise obtaining course assignments and/or
examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet files, using someone else's
work for assignments as if it were one's own; or any other dishonest means of attempting to
fulfill the requirements of a course.
Collusion is intentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic
dishonesty, including but not limited to, failing to secure academic work; providing a paper or
project to another student; providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating
answers to a classmate about an examination or any other course assignment; removing
tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.
Also, review online the current Collin Student Handbook that can be found on Cougar Web. As
your instructor, I am required to report suspected cases of plagiarism, collusion, and/or any
scholastic dishonesty directly to the Dean of Students at Collin College. I will withhold a grade until
any reported case is reviewed. If a student is found guilty of academic dishonesty on an
assignment, the student will receive the grade of “0” (F) for that assignment, as well as any specific
disciplinary measures that might be levied by the Dean of Students.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Instructor’s Name:
Gary H. Wilson, Ph.D.
Office Number:
LH-169 (Lawler Hall) (formerly D-169)–Preston Ridge Campus
Office Hours:
Office hours by appointment (or through online synchronous contact)
Phone Number:
469-365-1818
Email:
GWilson@collin.edu [Preferred method of contact]
Class Information: Summer Session: July 14–Aug 12, 2014
Section Number: ENGL 2327.WP2 CRN: 40962
Meeting Times: This course is instructed entirely online, using the Blackboard Learning
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Management System. There are no required orientation meetings or meetings on campus
during the entirety of this course.
Meeting Location:
Online in Blackboard
Minimum Student Skills: Students should possess strong capabilities in using MS Word and be
efficient in using the Blackboard courseware, as well as downloading and uploading documents and
using email.
Required Textbooks:
Baym, Nina. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Pkg.1 (Vols. A & B)
“Beginnings to 1865” ISBN: 978-0-393-91309-5 (two paperback volumes).
Hacker, Diana and Nancy Sommers (eds.). A Pocket Style Manual. 5th or 6th editions will be
appropriate.
Note: Since ISBN numbers can change with various editions and updates of editions of a
book, students should verify ISBN numbers for texts by reviewing textbook information at one
of the campus bookstores. Students should also be aware that prior editions of a text may not
have all of the required readings in them as contained in the current edition of the text. Some
texts can be electronically rented or purchased from the book publishers. If you desire to
purchase or rent an electronic version of a text (should one be available), you should be
aware that you are personally responsible for contacting the publisher (usually through its
website), and you are personally responsible for any and all costs involved in purchasing or
renting an electronic text. Students who require special accommodations should coordinate
their needs for electronic texts through the College’s ACCESS office.
Resources:
Writing Center: The Collin Online Writing Center can be accessed at this web address:
http://www.collin.edu/writingcenter/online_tutor.htm –then click on “Online Review.”
Library: Students can access over 100 online databases and peer-reviewed scholarly
journals at the Collin Library’s website. In-person: Ask for help from a Reference Librarian.
Online Participation Policy: The Blackboard courseware provides a documented electronic and
printable record of three key elements in this online course: 1.) when students access the system
to respond to weekly essay questions; 2.) to reply to others’ online posts in “Discussions”; and, 3.)
to submit their essays and other written assignments. Every time you open, read, or enter a tool or
window in Blackboard, this activity is recorded.
*Students are personally responsible for learning how to successfully navigate the Blackboard
website and to also correctly submit ALL assignments by the assignment submission deadlines.
Not knowing how to use the features and tools of the Blackboard courseware to successfully
complete and submit assignments cannot be accepted as valid reasons for excusing late
assignments. If there is some aspect of the Blackboard courseware that you do not understand, or
if you are experiencing technology-related issues, you should immediately contact Blackboard
Technical Support at 972-377-1777.
Online Submission of Assignments: In this online course, the online week includes Monday
through Sunday. Unless otherwise announced and documented in Blackboard, all weekly written
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assignments are due no later than 11:45 PM Sunday. All written assignments must be submitted to
the correct submission tool or window in Blackboard. In the event of unavoidable absences
(documented illnesses and family emergencies) that prevent timely online participation and
submission of assignments, students should immediately contact me via email or call my on-campus
telephone number to inform me of the situation.
Online Reading and Writing Assignments: All instructions for reading and writing assignments will
be posted in the Blackboard courseware in these three locations: 1.) Weekly Online Assignments
Schedule (located in the CONTENTS folder of Blackboard); 2.) Assigned Essays (located in the Menu
Tools); and, 3.) Weekly Essay Questions (also located in the Menu Tools). Unless otherwise noted,
all online written assignments should be posted at the correct window in Blackboard before Sunday
11:45 PM. Readings assignments include both assignments to the required texts and to embedded
Power Point files embedded in The Online Weekly Assignments Schedule.
Deductions for Late Work: Each calendar day that an assignment is late will result in an automatic
one letter-grade (10 points) reduction (I begin grading at the one-letter deduction level and grade
down from that level, if necessary). Work-related issues (overtime or out of town business travel) do
NOT qualify as valid reasons to excuse late submission of online assignments. If you submit an
assignment AFTER the weekly cut-off period of 11:45 PM Sunday, then it is considered late and one
letter grade (10 points) will be deducted.
After five calendar days, any non-submitted work will receive an automatic “0” (no points
awarded). While I am very understanding regarding student needs and want to help students in every
way I am able, do NOT expect that late submission penalties will be waived since to do so would be
demonstrably unfair to others in this online class who are working hard to submit their assignments on
time.
Posting assignments in Blackboard: Your assignments must be submitted at the correct menu
tools or windows in your Blackboard courseware. Do not submit your assignments by sending them
to me via Cougar Mail. Instructors cannot submit students’ files to Blackboard. If you do not submit
your assignments correctly to the appropriate menu tool in Blackboard, then they will be considered
late or non-submissions. Assignments must be submitted to the menu tool or window in Blackboard
in order to be graded in-line and their grades to be entered into My Grades (student grade book).
Internet Service and Computer Malfunctioning: If your computer, laptop, Internet service or Wi-Fi
do not work properly, it is still your personal responsibility to overcome these issues by accessing
another Internet-connected computer in a public or college library (or some other venue) in order to
submit your assignments on time.
Note: No “make-up” work is provided to overcome unexcused non-submitted assignments.
Method of Evaluation and Grading Criteria: As shown below, a standard percentage letter-grade
equivalency scale will be used based on the weighted point totals for each assignment. Aggregately,
the weighted assignments in the course sum to 1,000 total points available during the online
Summer Session.
For example, if an assignment is weighted at 200 points and a student earns a 92% on that
assignment, then the student would earn 184 points and also receive a letter grade of “A” as well (.92
X 200 = 184). In terms of percentage and letter-grade equivalencies for determining the overall
semester or transcript grade, the following point totals and letter-grade equivalencies apply:
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Grading Standards for Points and Percentages:
896 points and above (or 89.6%) =
796 points to 895 points =
696 points to 795 points =
596 points to 695 points =
595 points and below =
“A” (Excellent)
“B” (Very Good)
“C” (Effective Competency)
“D” (Deficient, but passing)
“F” (Failure; student fails to pass the course)
The MY GRADES (student grade book) tool in Blackboard enables students to review their
assignment evaluations and their point totals for each assignment, as well as a rolling cumulative total
for all assignments completed.
Instructor Grading Turn-around Times: I will make every effort to grade each completed and
submitted online assignment within five days after the scheduled submission deadline for that
assignment. Evaluative comments and grades for assignments can be reviewed in the My Grades
tool (student grade book) in Blackboard.
Online (Synchronous) Writing Conferences: I believe that synchronous (real-time online) writing
conferences are very meaningful ways for students to improve their critical thinking and writing skills. I
will schedule writing conferences (usually through the Collaborate tool in Blackboard) during the day
to help you with any assignment or aspect of the course. You should contact me to schedule these
online conferences, which usually can be accomplished in 20-25 minutes.
Email Policies and Netiquette: Use your Cougar Mail for all email communications. We all realize
that this is an English course. As an English professor, I consider your emails to be demonstrable
expressions of your thinking and writing skills. For these reasons, you should always use correct
grammar and sentence clarity in all of your written emails.
Each email should specify an appropriate subject in the subject line; do not simply reply to prior
emails with subjects that are different than the one you are sending–doing this creates confusion and
time delays. If you have a complex question that requires a lengthy answer, then you can call me at
(469) 365-1818 at my office telephone number on the Preston Ridge Campus or you can schedule an
online conference period with me.
Student Privacy: Questions regarding a grade awarded for a specific assignment should only be
discussed in a conference to protect a student’s privacy and to conform to all the statutory
requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Instructor Response to Student Cougar Emails: Routinely, I will promptly respond within two
hours to all emails sent between 7 AM and 7 PM daily. Emails sent later in the evening are
problematic for a response due to the lateness of the hour; students should be aware that these
emails may not elicit a response from me until the following morning.
Last Day to Withdraw: You should consult the published online Collin Academic Calendar (in
Cougar Web) to verify the final dates for withdrawing from the course. It is entirely your
responsibility to respond before the deadline passes for requesting a “W.” To receive a “W” in
the course, you must formally withdraw in the Registrar’s Office. Students cannot withdraw from a
class online or via email. Students who do not officially withdraw according to published policies will
receive a performance grade in this course based on the total points earned during the online
session.
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Assignment Categories and Respective Point Totals:
Assignment Category
Weighted Available Point Value
Category Total
Three (3) Critical Essays
200 Points ea.
600 Points
Three One-Question only
Weekly Essay Questions
43.3 Points ea.
130 Points
Two Three-Question
Weekly Essay Questions
72.5 Points ea.
145 Points
Weekly Student Reply-threads
To Other Students’ Essay
Question Responses
25 Points Per Week for all Replies
125 Points
Total Available Points:
1,000
Bonus Points Requirements:
Writing Workshops (Optional): In addition to the above standard assignment points categories,
students may also earn 10 optional “bonus points” by attending in person one or more of the
scheduled writing workshops during the summer (several are scheduled at each of the three main
campus (PRC, SCC, or CPC) through the Writing Centers on these campuses. Contact the Writing
Centers for dates and times. 10 bonus points will be awarded for attendance at each schedule writing
workshop.
Online Writing Conferences (Optional): Students who participate in an online synchronous
writing conference with me (via Collaborate) regarding one or more of their three critical essays will
earn 10 bonus points that will be added to the grade for the particular critical essay. (You may have
as many conferences with me per each essay as you like; however, only a maximum of 10 bonus
points can be added to an essay’s point total).
Bonus Points Two-page Essays (Optional): Students can opt to write two-page essays offered
for bonus points. These essays must respond to the writing prompt given for a specific online
week’s assignments. Bonus points essays must be submitted before Sunday 11:45 during the
online week in which they are assigned. Each bonus points essay carries a weight of 30 points.
Instructions for each optional essay are provided in the specific week’s reading and writing
instructions in the Online Weekly Assignments Schedule in Blackboard.
Bonus Points Power Point Presentations (10 slides) (Optional): Students can opt to prepare
Power Point presentations (minimum of 8-10 slides) that illustrate some aspect of a specific week’s
assigned topics. Bonus points Power Point presentations must be submitted before Sunday 11:45
during the online week in which they are assigned. Instructions for each optional Power Point
presentation are provided in the specific week’s reading and writing instructions in the Online
Weekly Assignments Schedule in Blackboard. Each bonus points Power Point presentation carries
a weight of 30 points.
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Course Requirements: Minimum Technology Needs*
OS (Operating System)
Access to the Internet
WINDOWS
APPLE
XP, Vista, 7
Mac OS 10.3 and higher
DSL, (High-speed is preferred) cable, satellite, fiber
Web Browser
Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8;
Mozilla Firefox 2 and higher
Safari 2 and higher;
Mozilla Firefox 2 and higher
Java Runtime
Environment
Required.
Java for Windows
Required.
Java for Apple
Software Needed
Mobile Device
Compatibility
Microsoft Word and Power Point
Microsoft Word and Power Point
Some smart devices and cyber tablets (Android or Apple) may not
synch correctly with all elements of the Blackboard courseware if they
do not have the correct mobile apps installed. Technology-related
questions or issues should be directed to the College’s Blackboard
Help Desk.
*If your computer system and Internet services do not meet these
minimal requirements, you should make every effort to upgrade them
or use a computer system that will facilitate an efficient and pleasant
online experience.
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________________________________________________________________
ONLINE WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS SCHEDULE: July 14–Aug 12, 2014
_________________________________________________________________
All reading assignments are taken from The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Vols. A and
B). Inclusive page numbers for the reading assignments can be found in the “Table of Contents” in
each volume. Page numbers vary in different editions of the Norton Anthology. In addition, there
are embedded Power Point documents that are also required reading assignments in this online
course.
Hacker and Sommer’s A Pocket Style Manual is an important reference text that provides examples
for correct MLA essay formatting, in-text citation formats and punctuation, and for bibliographic
entries for the Works Cited page. You should consult it often regarding your essay formatting and
compliance with MLA standards.
NOTE: Posted “Announcements” in the Blackboard courseware may be periodically made to focus
important assignment dates. Such “Announcements” are posted in Blackboard and are also
concurrently sent as emails to your Cougar Mail address. Such “Announcements” take
precedence over any written activities in this schedule and may modify this schedule of
reading and writing assignments to enhance the online learning process or provide
enhancements to help you.
An online week for this course runs consecutively from Monday to Sunday 11:45 PM of each week.
All written assignments are due before the 11:45 PM Sunday weekly posting deadline.
You are personally responsible for knowing and complying with everything in this weekly schedule
of reading and writing assignments. If you do not understand something in this schedule, then you
should contact me well ahead of an assignment’s deadline–not after it is due.
 WEEK 1 (Starts July 14 – July 20)
LEARNING MODULE: Earliest Voices: Visionary Vistas, the Search for Riches,
and the Discovery of New Cultures
Reading Assignments: Norton Anthology: Read these selections in “Stories of the Beginning of
the World” "Letter to Luis De Santangel” (Columbus); “Letter to Ferdinand and Isabella . . .”
(Columbus). “The Winnebago Trickster Cycle”; and, “Ikto Conquers Iya, the Eater.”
Cotton Mather: “The Wonders of the Invisible World”
Jonathan Edwards: “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
Click on, open, and read the following embedded Power Point file for background of early
America’s history, culture, values, and literary beginnings.
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Early American
Culture, Values, and Literature.pptx
Written Assignments: (1.) Respond to the THREE essay questions posted on the Blackboard
courseware; (2.) Post/thread to at least FIVE postings from your classmates at the discussion
forums.
 WEEK 2 (Starts July 21 – July 27)
LEARNING MODULE: American Dreams: Epistolary and Literary Visions
Reading Assignments: The Letters of John and Abigail Adams:
Abigail Adams to John Adams (August 19, 1774)
[Classical Parallels]
John Adams to Abigail Adams (September 16, 1774)
[Prayers at the Congress]
John Adams to Abigail Adams (July 23, 1775) [Dr. Franklin]
Abigail Adams to John Adams (November 27, 1775) [The Building
Up a Great Empire]
John Adams to Abigail Adams (July 3, 1776) [These Colonies
Are Free and Independent States]
John Adams to Abigail Adams (July 3, 1776) [Reflections on the Declaration of Independence]
Washington Irving:
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Nathaniel Hawthorne:
The Minister’s Black Veil
The Birth-Mark
Click on, open, and read the following embedded Power Point file for background on
Washington Irving and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Washington Irving
and Nathaniel Hawthorne Storytellers Par Excellence.ppt
Review: A Pocket Style Manual: Consult sections on MLA essay formats and MLA citations
Written Assignments: (1.) Respond to the ONE essay question posted on the Blackboard
courseware; (2.) Post/thread to at least FIVE postings from your classmates at the discussion
forums. (3). Essay #1 due.
 WEEK 3 (Starts July 28 – Aug 3)
LEARNING MODULE: Storytelling at its Finest: Mystery, Suspense, and Gothic
Fiction
Reading Assignments: Edgar Allan Poe:
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The Raven
Annabel Lee
The Man of the Crowd
The Purloined Letter
The Masque of the Red Death
The Tell-Tale Heart
The Black Cat
Written Assignments: (1.) Respond to the ONE essay question posted on the Blackboard
courseware; (2.) Post/thread to at least FIVE postings from your classmates. (3.) Essay #2 due.
Click on, open, and read the following embedded Power Point file for background on Edgar
Allan Poe.
Edgar Allan Poe's
Literary Background.pptx
A Pocket Style Manual: Consult sections on MLA essay formats and MLA citations.
 WEEK 4 (Aug 4 – Aug 10)
LEARNING MODULE: New Poetics and New Perspectives: Walt Whitman and
Emily Dickinson
Reading Assignments: Norton Anthology
Walt Whitman:
“When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d”
*Emily Dickinson:
39 [49] [I never lost as much but twice - ]
112 [67] [Success is counted sweetest]
202 [185] [“Faith” is a fine invention]
236 [324] [Some keep the Sabbath going to Church - ]
259 [287] [A Clock stopped - ]
340 [280] [I felt a Funeral, in my Brain]
373 [501] [This World is not conclusion]
409 [303] [The Soul selects her own Society - ]
479 [712] [Because I could not stop for Death - ]
591 [465] [I heard a Fly buzz - when I died - ]
*Note: Dickinson did not entitle most of her poems; she enumerated them (and not always in
chronological sequence). Titles of the poem’s in your anthology were developed by the editors of
Dickinson’s poetry and are placed inside brackets. Only 7 of 1,700 poems that Dickinson authored
were printed in her lifetime.
Click on, open, and read the following embedded Power Point presentation on Emily
Dickinson and Walt Whitman.
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Dickinson and
Whitman.ppt
Written Assignments: (1.) Respond to the THREE essay questions posted on the Blackboard
courseware; (2.) Post/thread to at least FIVE such postings from your classmates by 11:30 PM on
or before Sunday.
 WEEK 5 (Starts Aug 11–*Ends Aug 12 (Tuesday)
LEARNING MODULE: Revising and Completing Critical Essay #3
Reading Assignments: A Pocket Style Manual:
Consult sections on MLA essay formats and MLA citations.
Written Assignments: (1.) Respond to the ONE essay question posted on the Blackboard
courseware; (2.) Post/thread to FIVE such postings from your classmates by 11:45 PM on or before
Tuesday. (3.) Essay #3 due.
*NOTE: As noted on the College’s Academic Calendar, Tuesday, August 12th is the last
official day for classes for Summer II. Therefore, the conclusion of our online course must
coincide with the official ending of the academic period for Summer II.
*NOTE: Modifications to this schedule may be made to enhance the student learning process.
Should any changes be required, they will be posted on the “Announcements” tab in Blackboard
and also sent to your Cougar Mail email address. In an online course, you should develop a habit
of checking your Blackboard website several times each day so you can be aware of
announcements and any updated information.