PRINCE GEORGE'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Spring 2010
Welcome to EGL 2050: American Literature from the Beginnings to
the Late Nineteenth Century
EGL 2050-XD01 17771 MW 2:00 – 3:15, UTC-213
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICES:
PHONE NUMBERS:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
OFFICE HOURS:
MAILBOX
Mary Stevenson, English
University Town Center, 224; Largo Marlboro 3063
UTC my office 301-277-5934 X310
Largo English office 301-322-0561
Largo my office 301-322-0573 (voice-mail)
MStevenson@pgcc.edu
UTC Room 224 MW 8-9; 1-1:30; 3:15-3:45
Largo M-3063 TR 9-9:30, 12:50-1:20
Largo M-3072 (Please do not put material under my door.) If you are
leaving material in my mail box at Largo or UTC, remember to have
the secretary date and initial it as a record of when you turned it in.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
EGL 2050, American Literature from the Beginnings to the Late Nineteenth Century, is a survey
of the literature of the United States from the Native-American beginnings and the Colonial
period to the decades after the Civil War. Emphasis is on the major writers of each period, with
considerable attention to their social and intellectual backgrounds. Prerequisite: EGL 1020,
1100, 1320, or 1340.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course, a student should be able to
1. Identify major authors and works of the period 1608-1880
2. Identify and describe important literary movements and place specific works in their contexts
3. Explain how religious, economic, and political forces helped shape American literature
4. Identify important literary forms of early American literature
5. Apply at least one critical approach to reading and analyzing a text with documented sources
TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
The Heath Anthology of American Literature Volumes A and B, sixth ed., Paul Lauter,
general editor ISBN 978-0-618-85799-5, 978-0-547-20419-2 (New: 80.51; Used 65.00)
Any copy of James Fenimore Cooper’s Last of the Mohicans
Grammar handbook for grammar and MLA rules for documentation
GRADE:
Discussion leader report/talk 15%, two tests 40%, final examination 25%, Cooper paper/oral
report 20%
There is a total of 1,000 points: 900+=A; 800+=B, 700+=C, 600+=D
GRADING CRITERIA:
Discussion Leader/talk: Each student will introduce one of the major writers in the class. This
will include a written report that expands on the information about the author, gives more
information about the selection(s) the class is reading as well as other selections in the textbook
by the author, and explains references and vocabulary. In other words, each student will write
study guide that is documented. Begin by reading all the material on the author and by the author
in the textbook; then you may wish to do more reading about the author on line and look up
references. Finally, write up your findings in a written report and summarize in an oral report.
Tests and final examination: These will cover essay questions as well short identification. The
final examination will cover readings throughout the semester.
Paper and oral report: Each student will write a paper on a topic based on Cooper’s Last of the
Mohicans. This includes reading the novel, research, developing a thesis, drafting the paper,
documenting with the MLA rules the sources used in it. I will use the English department
handout Grading Standards for English Composition (standards for a C paper) to evaluate the
writing and require you turn in copies of the sources you use it the paper as well as rough
draft(s). Length: Body 1000-1500 words. The oral report will be a short, informal summary of
your paper you will give in class and answer your classmates’ questions about your research.
HOW ASSIGNMENTS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED:
To avoid loosing points, you must turn in a paper on the day it is due; it is due at the beginning of
class. If an assignment is turned in late, the writer will loose ten points from the total. No paper
more than a week overdue will be accepted for credit. A test missed for a reason accepted by the
instructor must be made up within a week as well; the make up will be an oral examination.
Major assignments (take home test answers, reports) will be submitted to TurnItIn.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Talk to me outside of class if you have special circumstances which will affect your attendance
and/or work in the class. This includes health problems as well as learning disabilities.
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Students requesting academic accommodations are required to contact the Disability Support Services Office (B124) or call (301) 322-0838 (voice) or (301) 322-0122 (TTY) to establish eligibility for services and
accommodations. Students with documented disabilities should discuss the matter privately with their instructors at
the beginning of the semester and provide a copy of their Student/Faculty Accommodation Form.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Prince George's Community College Code of Conduct defines the rights and responsibilities of students and
establishes a system of procedures for dealing with students charged with violations of the code and other rules and
regulations of the college. A student enrolling in the college assumes an obligation to conduct himself/herself in a
manner compatible with the college's function as an educational institution. Refer to the Student Handbook for a
complete explanation of the code of conduct, including the Code of Academic Integrity and the procedure for
dealing with disruptive student behavior.
CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The college is an institution of higher learning that holds academic integrity as its highest principle. In the pursuit of
knowledge, the college community expects that all students, faculty, and staff will share responsibility for adhering
to the values of honesty and unquestionable integrity. To support a community committed to academic achievement
and scholarship, the Code of Academic Integrity advances the principle of honest representation in the work that is
produced by students seeking to engage fully in the learning process. The complete text of the Code of Academic
Integrity is in the Student Handbook and posted on the college's website.
CLASSROOM POLICIES:
While not every circumstance is covered in the following comments, these policies do cover
most of the rules. See the Student Handbook for more details.
1.) Please honor the college policy: no food or drink in the classrooms.
2.) My expectations: Students are in class on time, stay the complete period, are prepared,
participate, turn in work on time. Please schedule medical appointments outside of class times.
Remember to turn off cell phones and arrange for childcare so that children are not in class.
3.) Attendance: Very important. Keep me informed by telephone or email about emergencies or
illnesses that impact on your attendance, especially vital on days when papers or journals are due or
tests are given. Note: A student who is late, leaves early, and/or misses more than seven classes will
loose 50 points (5% of the final grade).
IMPORTANT DATES:
Presidents’ Day – College closed
Monday, February 15
Spring break
Monday-Sunday, March 29-April 4
Last day to withdraw
Friday, April 16
Final exam period
Tuesday-Monday, May 11-17
DELAYED COLLEGE OPENINGS
When the college announces a delayed opening, all classes witth at least 45 minutes of class time
remaining at the time of the opening will be held. For example, in the event of a 10 a.m.
opening, a 9:30 to 10:45 class will be held. This procedure applies to all credit classes. For
information on delayed openings, sing up for Owl Alert or check the college website.
COLLEGE RESOURCES and SERVICES:
Log in to myPGCC to access more information.
Tutoring and Writing Centers
(www.pgcc.edu/current/academicresources/tutoringwriting.aspx)
Largo Bladen, Room 107 Stop by or call 301-322-0748 for appointment.
The Writing Center offers one-on-one tutoring for all students who are working on any
writing assignment in any course.
Student Development Services 301-322-0503
Student Development Services has various programs that provide students with mentoring,
advising, and individual counseling. Call or check the website for more information.
Library (www.pgcc.edu/library) Accokeek Hall, General information: 301-322-0476
Open Computer Labs UTC and Largo, Bladen Hall, first floor
Campus Bookstore
Largo Student Center, Room 116 301-322-0912