OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE
Professor’s Syllabus
Professor Randy B. Monroe
English 222--Native American Literature
Catalog Description: This course traces the evolution of Native American writing from its origins in the
oral tradition to its varied expression in modern fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. The course will examine
the ways in which world view, cosmology, myth, and symbol are interwoven to create the rich fabric of
Native American storytelling. The writings will be studied in their cultural context as well as for
elements of content, structure, style, and meaning. Prerequisite: ENGL 151
Semester: Spring 2011
Office Location: Room 218 W. Kable Russell Building
Phone: 732 255-0400 ext. 2204
E-Mail: rmonroe@ocean.edu or randy_monroe@occ.mailcruiser.com
Office Hours: 9:30-10:45 MTh; 1:00-1:50 TF
To arrange a meeting with your instructor in addition to the regularly scheduled office hours, please
contact your instructor directly or contact the Department of English. Phone 732-255-0375. E-Mail:
mquattrock@ocean.edu.
Required Texts : Native American Literature, LaWana Trout; Ceremony, Leslie Marmon Silko; The
Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie; The Way to Rainy Mountain,
N. Scott Momaday
General Education Goals:
Goal 1a—To use critical and logical methods of thinking
Goal 1c—To demonstrate skills in inductive, deductive, and analogous reasoning
Goal 2—To develop the ability to communicate effectively through reading, listening, speaking
writing.
Goal 3—To develop the ability to solve problems by collecting, organizing, and evaluating
information.
Goal 6—To develop an understanding of the aesthetic and intellectual experience of literature
and the arts and to appreciate creative expression.
Goal 13—To foster the curiosity, creativity, and desire to become autonomous learners for life.
Student Learning Objectives: In English 152, students will achieve the following course learning
objectives:
--Develop reading, listening, and speaking skills. --Read a variety of works and demonstrate
through writing and speaking the ability to analyze those works from various critical
perspectives --Consider how their own beliefs and intellectual assumptions affect their reactions
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Learning Objectives (Cont.)
to and interpretations of the literature--Understand the cultural forces affecting Native
American peoples and how those forces have been reflected in their writing--View Native
American literature within the broader framework of American literature, identifying points
of convergence and divergence.
Course Standards:
1. Due dates for papers are somewhat flexible, but from time to time I will set a final date for various
assignments. No papers will be accepted after that date, and incomplete work will receive a zero
grade. At my option, D and F papers may be rewritten.
2. Missed quizzes/tests/responses must be made up within the following two classes (outside of class
time, if necessary. Certain specified classroom activities may not be made up.
3. Papers may be handwritten on standard white notebook paper. Word processing is encouraged,
however. All papers handed in should be identified with your name, the date, and some notation of
the assignment. Typed work is double-spaced.
4. No student may withdraw after 60% of the course is complete without receiving a letter grade
(based upon work completed at time of withdrawal).
5. Class participation is expected and may take the form of group activities, individual board work,
general class discussions.
Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is required. Anyone missing more than four (4) classes for any
reason other than verified college activities will be withdrawn from the course (W grade prior to cut-off
date; letter grade, including F, thereafter). Please note that other than the exception noted above,
there are no excused absences.
Grading Scale: A=90-100; B+=88-89; B=80-88; C+=78-79; C=70-79; D=60-69; F=59 or below.
Course Outline:
I. Historical background 2. Image and Identity 3. The Spirit World 4. Sherman Alexie
5. N. Scott Momaday 6. Leslie Silko 7. Other major writers (as time allows)
Plagiarism Policy: Plagiarism is the use of another writer’s words or ideas without disclosure of the
source, or failure to adequately change the original language of a source. Failure to disclose sources, or
to present another’s words as one’s own, may result in a charge of plagiarism and subsequent failure for
a given assignment (zero grade). See the current student handbook-planner, Time Well Spent, for an
explanation of Plagiarism Policy #5180.
Page Three
Classroom Behavior/Civility: Appropriate classroom behavior is expected. This goes beyond simply not
being disruptive and refers also to the fact that time allotted for work will be spent doing that work. If I
feel you are not behaving appropriately, you will be asked to leave and an absence will be recorded.
You will not be readmitted to class until I am satisfied that a resolution to the problem has been
reached. Repeated tardiness is unacceptable and will be equated to absences on a 3 to 1 basis. Cell
phones, laptops, and other electronic devices may not be used except with my explicit permission.
Evaluation of Student Performance(Grading):
I use numerical rather than letter grades on assignments, in the form of a fraction, such as 85/100,
9/10, etc. Zero scores are assigned for incomplete or plagiarized assignments.
Three standard compositions (750 words each on Alexie, Momaday, Silko books): 75%
Group/Individual Research Project: 10%
Response Questions/Quizzes/Participation 15%
Campus Resources and Services: Tutoring is available in the Writing Center for writing assignments is all
subject areas, not just English, and also in the Mathematic Tutoring Center. Tutoring information for all
other subjects can be found on the Tutoring page on the college website. In addition, Study Strategy
Seminars are scheduled each week and are posted on the college website under “Academics.” More
information on college services can be found by using the A-Z index on the college website.
Statement of Accommodation: If there is any student in this class who has special needs because of
learning disabilities or other kinds of disabilities, please feel free to discuss this with me or a staff
member in the Center for Academic Excellence.
Disclaimer: Individual faculty members may make reasonable changes to this course outline exclusive of
course requirements, course calendar, and grading procedures. All individuals should not assume that
anything received, sent, or stored in this course or in any course is private. Students’ written work,
assignments, and test results may be used anonymously for college assessment purposes. Course
content, support materials, and communications (including chats, discussions, emails, and any other
forms of communication) may be used for quality assurance purposes by authorized college
administrators.
Important Note: Ocean Cruiser is the official email communication for students at OCC
(firstname_lastname@occ.mailcruiser.com). Ocean Cruiser may also be used for posting class materials
to be used by students.
Failure to pay for this course may result in your being dropped for non-payment.