AMERICAN LITERATURE I
Massasoit Community College
Fall 2013—Online
Instructor: Sean McPherson
Email: Through Canvas. Allow one business day turnaround for email responses. M-F, 8-5.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
ENGL 213:
American Literature I
3 credits
An introduction to American literature, this course examines the major contributors to the
development of American literature, culture, and ideals from the colonial period to the era of
American Romanticism.
Prerequisite: English Composition II (ENGL102)
REQUIRED TEXT

Perkins, Barbara & Perkins, George. The American Tradition in Literature 12th Edition
(Concise). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-07-338489-5
COURSE GOALS
1. Understand the way major works reflect the cultures of America at various points in its
history prior to 1860.
2. Discussion, informal writing, and formal essays, carry to a higher level the skillful
analysis of language and texts that was developed in earlier composition courses.
3. Trace through selected literary and historical texts the development of American
consciousness, attitudes, and ideals.
4. Recognize in literary and historical texts themes that continue to challenge America (e.g.
personal freedom versus group responsibility, class, gender and race consciousness,
violence, religious values).
5. Develop and express, formally and/or informally, points of view on these themes in
order to stimulate critical thinking.
6. Use research to deepen understanding and to develop analytical papers that
demonstrate the connections between primary and secondary sources.
7. Appreciate the personal relevance and shared values of literature and the pleasure of
recognizing the universal human condition.
8. Strengthen Core Competencies** in order to increase success in this and other courses
and in the workplace.
*Critical thinking, technology skills, oral communication, quantitative skills, reading, and writing.
ESSAYS
Since this is a writing intensive class, you will be engaged in a large amount of informal and
formal writing. If you are ever unsure or need help with the writing assignments, please let me
know how I can help you.

Essay Directions: Instructions and prompts for your essays are in the Modules area. Go to
the left side of your screen when you are in Canvas and click on the word “Modules.” You
can also find them by going to the Assignments area and clicking on the individual essay
number.

Essay Due Dates: Can be found in the weekly pacing schedule at the end of this syllabus.

Essay Page Length Requirement: A minimum of 3 pages (not including the Works Cited).

Essay Expectations: For detailed expectations, please see the grading rubric and the essay
directions/prompts located in Canvas.

Essays must follow MLA Style: If you are unsure about MLA, please visit the following:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/. I am happy to answer any questions.
Just ask.

Be Careful! Since the focus of our essays is on the writings from actual authors in history,
refrain from quoting the editors of the textbook, Perkins. The Perkins introductory and
biographical sections are not our focus of study, the historical authors’ texts are: Native
American tales, Bradford, Smith, Rowlandson, Bradstreet, Poe, Hawthorne, etc…

Watch Out! You may not include any outside research in your essays. All of your direct
quotes must come from the textbook only. No exceptions.
o Essays that contain outside research will not be graded.

Definitely Don’t Do This! Do not cite Wikipedia , Spark Notes, eNotes, Cliff’s Notes,
Shmoop, Book Rags, or any other study aids in your essays. Those are meant to enhance
your reading of texts only. Also, do not use any material from “essay mills.” Your essays will
be checked for plagiarism.

Submitting Essays: When submitting your essay to Canvas
o Upload your essays as attachments.
o Do not submit your essay and Works Cited as two separate documents. Your Works
Cited page must be a part of one electronic file.
o Acceptable File Formats: .doc, .docx, .wps, .rtf, .pdf, .odt

If you don’t have a regular word processing program, you may convert your
files for free at www.zamzar.com.

Late Assignment Policy: As a general rule, late essays are not acceptable. In extreme cases
and with approval by your instructor, your essay may be accepted after the due date, but it
will be penalized one full letter grade for every day after the due date, not to exceed three
days.

Incomplete Essay Policy: Essays that are incomplete will not receive satisfactory grades. One
of the following constitutes an incomplete essay:
o does not meet the minimum page length requirement
o does not contain direct quotes to support the claims
o Essays that do not contain a Works Cited page will not be graded.

Essay Grading: Your essay will be graded electronically in Canvas. Once your essay has been
graded, you will receive the following feedback:
o Grade Sheet (This is a grading rubric with a point by point breakdown of how you
were graded on each aspect of your essay).
o Feedback (This document will specifically indicate what needs improvement in your
essay accompanied by my explanations, examples, and external links to further
assistance when available).
WEEKLY FOLDERS
Weekly “Modules” will open Sunday nights at 11:59pm. The weekly modules will contain all of
the information, instructions, lectures, assignments, discussion boards, and assignment drop
boxes—basically, everything you will need for the week. It is important to read the contents of
the weekly folder in its entirety.
GRADE WEIGHTS
10% = Essay 1
10% = Essay 2
10% = Essay 3
10% = Essay 4
10% = Final Exam
30% = Discussion Boards
20% = Journals
Basic Grading Percentages:
A 93-100, A- 90-92, B+ 88-89, B 83-87, B- 80-82, C+ 78-79, C 73-77, C- 70-72, D+ 68-69, D 63-67, D60-62, F 0-59
STANDARDS FOR WRITING
Essays must follow MLA Style. The following MLA Style guidelines were taken from the most
current version of the writing handbook Rules for Writers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Typed
Double Spaced
One-Inch Margins
Complete Heading in the Upper Left Corner: (Your Name, Class Name and Section #,
My Name, Date—in that order)
5. Your Last Name and Page Number (without a comma) in the upper right hand corner
of all pages. Use header/footer for this. Do not simply type it in.
6. Original Title Top, Center (should be related to the thesis)—No cover pages. That is
not MLA.
7. Works Cited Page
NOTE: Your paper should be free from errors: grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization,
syntax, etc. If you know that you might have trouble with this, please seek help from the
tutoring center.
COMMUNICATION
Email: We will use the internal email system through Canvas. You are expected to check your
email account at least three times a week (preferably Mon, Wed, & Fri). I will respond to emails
within one business day (M-F, 8-5)—no weekends or holidays.
PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
In today's digital age, it is easier to plagiarize than ever. It is also easier to detect plagiarism
than ever. Unfortunately, I find plagiarism in student essays all of the time. College is voluntary.
No one is forcing you to be here. In fact, you pay for it! I would hope you are here to learn not
to pass other people's work off as your own. Please follow the following link to read the
Statement of Academic Honesty policy at the college:
http://www.massasoit.mass.edu/misc/policies.cfm (When you get to the page, scroll down to
find the policy).
PLAGIARISM SANCTIONS
If caught plagiarizing or cheating, you will receive the following sanctions:
1. Zero on the assignment. Notification of your name and the infraction to the English
department chairperson and the Dean of Humanities.
OR
2. Failure of the course. Notification to department chair and division dean. Note on
transcript.
Your essays and assignments in the course will be automatically submitted to a plagiarism
detection website called Turnitin.com that is integrated into Canvas.
Please be aware that ALL of your assignments in the course will be monitored for plagiarism.
CLASS METHODOLOGY
Essays
Four essays and a final exam centered on the literature. See the weekly pacing at the
end of this syllabus for the due dates. The directions and guidelines for the essays are in
the Modules area.
Discussion Forums
Each week you will participate in graded discussion forums. The explanation and
guidelines can be found the Start Here module.
Journals
Each week you will write one journal entry in response to the literature or video from
the syllabus. The explanation and guidelines can be found in the Start Here module.
Final Exam
At the end of the semester, you will be given a final exam essay to complete regarding
our studies for the term. The prompt for the final exam will not be given until the last
week of class.
You will always access this course through the Internet. This is an online course, so everything
we do will be done electronically.
PARTICIPATION
You are responsible for logging on and completing your responsibilities for the course. I
recommend that you access the course at least three times a week: Mon, Wed, & Fri. Your
completion of tasks on the assigned due dates will account for your attendance in the class.
CONDUCT
Students are expected to exhibit professional and respectful behavior that is conducive to a
mutually beneficial learning environment in the classroom. Students in violation of these
standards may be referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.
ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT
Students with disabilities who believe that they need accommodations in the classroom are
encouraged to contact a disability counselor on campus as soon as possible. Students at the
Brockton Campus with learning disabilities and all students at the Middleborough Center should
contact Andrea Henry at extension 1805. Students with physical disabilities at the Brockton
Campus should contact Mary Berg, at extension 1425. All students at the Canton Campus
should contact Mary Berg, at extension 2132.
SYLLABUS
The thematic approach to this course is formed as general statement below. Keep this general
statement in mind as we progress through the units.
“The American Perspective”
The literature in this course reflects the ideological contributions that affect every modern
American citizen. From the Puritan influence upon television ratings to Benjamin Franklin's
influence on America's "work hard and you can achieve anything" ideology to the Romantic
influence upon Hollywood movies to the transcendentalist influence on Americans' extreme
individualism and believe in yourself attitude, our study will reveal the complex layers that
established the foundation for the “American way” of thinking and “The American Dream.”
Authors, works, and movements of thought that shaped the American perspective will be
highlighted in the following weeks.
Week 1
[9/4-9/8]
Topics
 Introduction and Orientation to the Course
 What is myth?
 Native American Oral Tradition
Readings
 Syllabus, Start Here module, and Week 1 module
 “Definitions of Myth” at
http://faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/Mythdefinitions.htm
 Natives and Explorers (textbook: 9-10)
 Native Literature: The Oral Tradition (textbook: 11-15)
Writings
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
Week 2
[9/9-9/15]
Topics
 Native American Myths and Legends
 Universal Truths
Readings
 Myths and Legends of the Sioux at:
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/MclMyth.html (Read ALL)
Video
 Watch the video Native Voices at http://www.learner.org/resources/series164.html
 Your journal this week will be based upon this video.
 When you get to the American Passages website, you must scroll down on the page to
see the list of videos to choose from. Choose the Native Voices video.
 Click the “VoD” symbol to the right of the video title to watch it. You must disable popups on your web browser. If it does not stream, try a different browser.
 DO NOT use the video in the upper right hand corner of the page to respond to—the
one with the family sitting on their porch. That is not the correct video. Scroll down to
find the “Native Voices” video.
Writings
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
Week 3
[9/16-9/22]
Topic
 Accounts of the European Explorers
Readings
 Exploration and the Colonies (1-8)
 Christopher Columbus (15-16) Report of the First Voyage (16-17)
 Giovanni Da Verrazzano (18) from Verrazzano’s Voyage (18-22)
 Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca (22-23) from Narrative of Cabeza De Vaca (23-26)
 Samuel De Champlain (28-29) Voyages of Samuel De Champlain… (29-32)
Writings
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
Week 4
[9/23-9/29]
Topic
 The Writings of the Pilgrims
Readings
 Mourt’s Relation 1622 at:
http://www.histarch.uiuc.edu/plymouth/mourt1.html (Parts I-VI)
When you reach the page, scroll down to see the text. You will also see links to all of the
other sections to read.
 The Constitution of the Iroquois Nation at:
http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/D/1776-1800/constitution/iroq_const.htm
Writings
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
 Essay 1 due on or before Sunday (9/29)
Week 5
[9/30-10/6]
Topic
 The Writings of the Pilgrims
Readings
 The Colonies/John Smith (33-34) from The General History of Virginia (34-42)
 William Bradford (42-43) from Of Plymouth Plantation (44-58)
 John Winthrop (58-59) A Model of Christian Charity (59-66)
Writings
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
Week 6
[10/7-10/13]
Topic
 Writings of the Puritans & Quakers (Age of Faith)
Readings
 Puritanism (67-69)





Anne Bradstreet (69-71) To My Dear and Loving Husband (77-80) Upon the Burning of
Our House, July 10th, 1666 (78)
Edward Taylor (105-106) Huswifery (109) Upon a Spider Catching a Fly (111-112)
Mary Rowlandson (80-81) from A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs.
Mary Rowlandson (81-105)
George Fox (Quaker) Ye are called to peace… An epistle at:
http://www.qis.net/~daruma/foxpeace.html
John Woolman (Quaker) (132-133) from The Journal of John Woolman (134-145)
Video
 Watch the video Utopian Promise at http://www.learner.org/resources/series164.html
(Don’t forget to scroll down on the page to find the correct title).
Writings
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
Week 7
[10/14-10/20]
Topics
 Puritans & Quakers (Age of Faith)
 The darker side of the Puritans
Readings
 Puritanism, Indians, and Witchcraft (113-114)
 The Examination of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson 1637 at:
http://www.constitution.org/primarysources/hutchinson.html
 Cotton Mather (118-119) from The Wonders of the Invisible World (119-125) Indian
Powaws and Witchcraft (114-115)
 Mary Towne Easty (115-116) The Petition of Mary Easty (116)
 Samuel Sewall (117) A Witchcraft Judge’s Confession of Guilt (117)
 Jonathan Edwards (162-163) Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (170-181)
 George Keith (Quaker) An Exhortation and Caution to Friends Buying or Keeping of
Negroes 1693—Believed to be the first printed protest against slavery—at:
http://www.qhpress.org/quakerpages/qwhp/gk-as1693.htm
Writings
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
 Essay 2 due on or before Sunday (10/20)
Week 8
[10/21-10/27]
Topic
 The American Enlightenment (Age of Reason)
Readings
 The South and the Middle Colonies (126-128)
 William Byrd (129-130) from The History of the Dividing Line (130-132)
 St. Jean De Crevecoeur (145-146) from Letters from an American Farmer: What is an
American? (146-155)
 Reason and Revolution (157-160)
 John Locke from An Essay Concerning Human Understanding: Chapter 2, “No Innate
Principles in the Mind” (Handout)
 Benjamin Franklin (190-192) from The Autobiography (193-224) [Especially, the section
that begins on p. 215 with “And now I set on foot...” and ends with p. 218 “...with regard
to the appearance of it.”]
Video
 Watch the video Spirit of Nationalism at
http://www.learner.org/resources/series164.html
Writings
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
Week 9
[10/28-11/3]
Topic
 The American Enlightenment (Age of Reason)
Readings
 Patrick Henry Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death at
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/patrick.asp
 Thomas Paine (233-235) from Common Sense (235-244) The American Crisis (245-250)
 Olaudah Equiano (264-265) from The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah
Equiano (265-273)
 Phillis Wheatley (273-275) Poems (275-279)
 Philip Freneau (279-281) Poems (281-284)
Writings
 Discussion forum posts

Journal entry
Week 10
[11/4-11/10]
Topic
 American Romanticism
Readings
 The Romantic Temper (299-304)
 Washington Irving (307-308) Rip Van Winkle (309-320) The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
(320-339—optional)
 James Fenimore Cooper (339-342) from The Pioneers (342-348) from The Prairie (348352)
 William Cullen Bryant (352-354) Poetry (354-364) [Especially]—Thanatopsis (354)
Video
 Romanticism: Imagining Freedom
(Access this title via Films on Demand from the library website)
Writings
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
 Essay 3 final draft due on or before Sunday (11/10)
Week 11
[11/11-11/17]
Topics
 American Romanticism
 The darker side of Romanticism and American Gothic
Readings
 Romanticism at Mid-Century (374-375)
 Edgar Allan Poe (376-378) The Raven (386-389) The Cask of Amontillado (428-433) Ligeia
(393-403—optional)
 Nathaniel Hawthorne (433-435) Young Goodman Brown (448-457)
 The Birthmark (465-476—optional)
 Herman Melville (504-506) Bartleby the Scrivener (507-530)
Video
 Gothic Undercurrents at
http://www.learner.org/resources/series164.html
Writings
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
Week 12
[11/18-11/24]
Topic
 Transcendentalism
Readings
 Transcendentalism (585-586)
 Ralph Waldo Emerson (587-589) Self-Reliance (642-658) The American Scholar (617-630)
The Over-Soul (658-669)
 Henry David Thoreau (700-702) Civil Disobedience (767-782) from Walden: Economy
(702-707—stop at “Let us consider…”) Conclusion (760-767)
Video
 Introducing the Transcendentalists
(Access this title via Films on Demand from the library website)
Writings
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
Thanksgiving Break 11/25-12/1
Week 13
[12/2-12/8]
Topic
 Women of Transcendentalism
Readings
 Transcendentalism, Women, and Social Ideals (688)
 Elizabeth Peabody (689) Labor, Wages, and Leisure (689-690)
 Elizabeth Cady Stanton (693) Declaration of Sentiments (693-695)
 Sojourner Truth (695) Ar’n’t I a Woman? (695-696)
 Fanny Fern (696) The Working Girls of New York (698-699)
 Margaret Fuller (674-675) from Woman in the Nineteenth Century (675-687)
Writings
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
 Essay 4 due on or before Sunday 12/8)
Week 14
[12/9-12/15]
Topic
 The American Dream
 Final Exam
Readings
 Review the materials from the semester
Writing
 Discussion forum posts
 Journal entry
 Final Exam due on or before Saturday (12/14)
Note:
 Directions for the final exam will not be released until Week 14
 Although the official end of semester is Saturday, you may submit your essay on Sunday
like normal with no penalty. However, I cannot accept anything past Sunday night. I will
be calculating grades Monday morning.