Modern and Contemporary American Literature
Prof. Irma Maini
Office hours: T 6-7, R 2-3, 6-7 and by appointment
Mailbox: English department G 303
Office: G 262
Phone: (201) 200-3077
E-mail: imaini@njcu.edu
Required Text:
The Heath Anthology of American Literature, Vol II (fourth edition)
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Course Requirements:
Writing assignments:
In-class Essays (2)
Research Paper (6-8 pages), In-class Final
All written assignments must be completed in order to pass the class. Late assignments will be
downgraded by a letter grade for each day they are late.
Discussion Leader: Each student will lead discussion on one of the assigned authors. Do some
background research on the critical reception of the work. Come prepared with at least five
questions that address the issues, ideas, and techniques of the reading that will help stimulate
class discussion. Make connections with earlier readings. You are the teacher for this portion of
the class and you will be responsible for engaging the class in a lively and meaningful
discussion. Hand me your lesson plan and research materials after your presentation.
Participation and Attendance: This class will be run as a seminar, so do come prepared to
participate actively in the discussion and give thoughtful and substantive commentary on the
readings.
Evaluation Criteria:
30% In-class Essays (2)
25% Research Paper
15% Final
15% Quizzes, participation, and attendance
15% Discussion leadership
Plagiarism Policy:
The NJCU student handbook defines plagiarism as the attempt: “a) to steal and pass off ideas or
words of another as one’s own, b) to use material without crediting the source, and c) to present
as new and original an idea, phrase, or statement derived from an existing source.” In other
words, if you copy words or ideas from the Internet, a book, a newspaper, or any other source,
and do not use quotation marks, parenthetical citations, and a works cited page, you may be
plagiarizing. The English department considers plagiarism a flagrant violation of academic
integrity. Plagiarism in this course will result in automatic dismissal from the course, a grade of
“F” for the course, and a report of the incident to the Dean of Students.
Schedule
Jan 18:
Introduction; Glaspell’s Trifles (handout)
Jan 25:
Yezierska’s “America and I” (1727), Donato’s “Christ in Concrete” (1939),
Olsen’s “I Want you Women up North to Know” (1324), Poetry by Early Chinese
Immigrants (1955)
Feb 1:
Wright’s “Bright and Morning Star” (1889), Ellison’s “A Party Down at the
Square” (2147), McKay’s “Lynching” (1675), Brooks, selected poems (2280)
Feb 8:
Hansbery’s A Raisin in the Sun (2389)
Feb 15:
McNickle’s “Hard Riding” (1836), Alexie’s “Because my Father …” (2927)
Feb 22:
O’Brien’s “In the Field” (2741), “The Things they Carried,” (handout) Bly,
selected poems (2760), Komunyakaa (2768)
Mar 1:
In-class Essay I, From Okada’s No-No Boy (2203)
Mar 8:
Spring Break
Mar 15:
From Bulosan’s America is in the Heart (2088), From Rivera’s and the earth did
not devour him (2782), Hagedorn “Homesick” (2897)
Mar 22:
Morrison’s Beloved
Mar 29:
Continue Beloved
Apr 5:
In-class Essay II, Lahiri (handout)
Apr 12:
Yamamoto’s “Seventeen Syllables” (2535), Ginsberg, selected poems (2293)
Apr 19:
Due: Research Paper proposal. Plath, selected poems (2368), Rich selected
poems (2525)
Apr 26:
Due: First Draft of Research Paper. Peer workshop. Poetry selections:
“AmeRican” (3046), “Latin Women Pray” (3044)
May 3:
TBA
May 10:
Due: Final Draft of Research Paper. Final
Modern and Contemporary American Literature
Prof. Irma Maini
Office hours:T:3-4, R 3-7 and by appointment
Mailbox: English department G 303
Office: G 262
Phone: (201) 200-3077
E-mail: imaini@njcu.edu
Required Text:
The Heath Anthology of American Literature, Vol II (fourth edition)
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Course Requirements:
Writing assignments:
Paper I (3-5 pages), In-class Midterm
Paper II (6-8 pages), In-class Final
Complete all written assignments and hand them in on time. Late assignments will be
downgraded by a letter grade for each day they are late.
Discussion Leader: Each student will lead discussion on one of the assigned authors. Do some
background research on the critical reception of the work. Come prepared with at least five
questions that address the issues, ideas, and techniques of the reading that will help stimulate
class discussion. Make connections with earlier readings. You are the teacher for this portion of
the class and you will be responsible for engaging the class in a lively and meaningful
discussion. Hand me your lesson plan and research materials after your presentation.
Participation and Attendance: This class will be run as a seminar, so do come prepared to
participate actively in the discussion and give thoughtful and substantive commentary on the
readings.
Evaluation Criteria:
20% Paper 1
25% Paper 2
15% Midterm
15% Final
15% Quizzes, participation, and attendance
10% Discussion leadership
Plagiarism Policy:
The NJCU student handbook defines plagiarism as the attempt: “a) to steal and pass off ideas or
words of another as one’s own, b) to use material without crediting the source, and c) to present
as new and original an idea, phrase, or statement derived from an existing source.” In other
words, if you copy words or ideas from the Internet, a book, a newspaper, or any other source,
and do not use quotation marks, parenthetical citations, and a works cited page, you may be
plagiarizing. The English department considers plagiarism a flagrant violation of academic
integrity. Plagiarism in this course will result in automatic dismissal from the course, a grade of
“F” for the course, and a report of the incident to the Dean of Students.
Schedule
Sep 4:
Introduction; Glaspell’s Trifles
Sep 11:
Yezierska’s “America and I” (1727), Donato’s “Christ in Concrete” (1939)
Sep 18:
Wright’s “Bright and Morning Star” (1889), Ellison’s “A Party Down at the
Square” (2147), McKay’s “Lynching” (1675)
Sep 25:
Hansbery’s A Raisin in the Sun (2389)
Oct 2:
Petry’s “Like a Winding Sheet” (handout), Gaines’ “The Sky is Gray” (2673)
Oct 9:
Due: First draft of Paper 1. Brooks, selected poems (2280)
Oct 16:
Morrison’s Beloved
Oct 23:
Due: Second draft of Paper 1. Continue Beloved
Oct 30:
Midterm; Plath, selected poems (2368)
Nov 6:
From Bulosan’s America is in the Heart (2088), From Rivera’s and the earth did
not devour him (2782)
Nov 13:
McNickle’s “Hard Riding” (1836), Alexie’s “Because my Father …” (2927)
Nov 20:
Due: Paper 2 proposal. Ginsberg, selected poems (2293), O’Brien’s “In the
Field” (2741)
Nov 27:
Thanksgiving!
Dec 4:
Due: First Draft of Paper 2. Yamamoto’s “Seventeen Syllables” (2535), Rich,
selected poems (2525)
Dec 11:
Poetry selections: “AmeRican” (3046), “Latin Women Pray” (3044); Review
Dec 18:
Due: Final Draft of Paper 2. Final
Schedule
Jan 22:
Introduction
Jan 23:
Handout
Jan 27:
Bourne’s “Trans-National America” (1716)
Jan 29:
Yezierska’s “America and I” (1727)
Jan 30:
Donato’s “Christ in Concrete” (1939)
Feb 3:
Feb 5:
Odet’s Waiting for Lefty (1788)
Continue Odets
Feb 6:
Le Suer’s “Women on the Breadlines” (1805)
Feb 10:
Wright’s “Bright and Morning Star” (1889)
Feb 12:
Ellison’s “A Party Down at the Square” (2147)
Feb 13:
Bellow’s “’Looking for Mr. Green” (2482)
Feb 17:
President’s day holiday!
Feb 19:
Hansbery’s A Raisin in the Sun (2389)
Feb 20:
Continue Hansberry
Feb 24:
Due: First draft of Paper 1. Brooks, selected poems (2280)
Feb 26:
Student conferences
Feb 27:
Student conferences
Mar 3:
Due: Second draft of Paper 1. Petry’s “Like a Winding Sheet” (handout)
Mar 5:
Gaines’ “The Sky is Gray” (2673)
Mar 6:
Midterm
March 10-15: Spring break!
Mar 17:
Mar 19:
Mar 20:
Morrison’s Beloved
Continue Beloved
Continue Beloved
Mar 24:
From Bulosan’s America is in the Heart (2088)
Mar 26:
From Rivera’s and the earth did not devour him (2782)
Mar 27:
Viramontes’ “The Cariboo Café” (3050)
Mar 31:
Apr 2:
Apr 3:
Miller’s The Crucible (1973)
Continue The Crucible
Continue The Crucible
Apr 7:
Ginsberg, selected poems (2293)
Apr 9:
Inada, selected poems (2547)
Apr 10:
TBA
Apr 14:
McNickle’s “Hard Riding” (1836)
Apr 16:
Alexie’s “Because my Father …” (2927)
Apr 17:
Handout
Apr 21:
Plath, selected poems (2368)
Apr 23:
Rich, selected poems (2525)
Apr 24:
Due: Paper 2 proposal. Continue Plath and Rich
Apr 28:
O’Brien’s “In the Field” (2741)
Apr 30:
Mukherjee’s “A Wife’s Story” (3062)
May 1:
Due: First Draft of Paper 2
May 5:
Student Conferences
May 7:
Student Conferences
May 8:
TBA
May 12:
Due: Final Draft of Paper 2. Review
Final exam: TBA
Professor Irma Maini
American Literature III
Midterm
You only have 50 minutes so organize your time well. Spend a few minutes brainstorming or
thinking your ideas through before writing your essay. Please do not write a plot summary. If
you want to use a quote from the book, simply write the first and last words of the quote and give
the writer’s name and page # in parenthesis.
1) Choose any one of the following groups of writers. Write an essay making connections
between the ideas, issues, themes, or style of these writers as presented in the works we have
read by them this semester. Be sure to give specific examples and references from their
works. (80 points)
a) Yezierska, Di Donato, and Bourne
OR
b) Wright, Odets, and Gaines
OR
c) Petry, Hansberry, and Ellison
2) Discuss the symbolic significance of the title and the ending of any one work we have read
this semester. (20 points)
Professor Irma Maini
American Literature III
Midterm
(Take home)
Choose any one of the following groups of writers. Write a well-organized essay
making connections between the ideas, issues, themes, symbols, and/or narrative
style of these writers as presented in the works we have read by them this semester.
Be sure to make connections between all three writers and avoid a simplistic
compare-contrast essay. Give specific examples and references from their works.
Please do not write a plot summary. You don’t need to do any research for this
essay. Use the MLA style for any quotes you use in your essay (i.e. after each
quote give the last name of the writer and page in parenthesis).
1. Yezierska, Di Donato, and Hansberry
OR
2. Wright, O’Brien, and Alexie
OR
3. Hansberry, McNickle, and Ellison
Plagiarism Policy:
The NJCU student handbook defines plagiarism as the attempt: “a) to steal and
pass off ideas or words of another as one’s own, b) to use material without
crediting the source, and c) to present as new and original an idea, phrase, or
statement derived from an existing source.” In other words, if you copy words or
ideas from the Internet, a book, a newspaper, or any other source, and do not use
quotation marks, parenthetical citations, and a works cited page, you may be
plagiarizing. The English department considers plagiarism a flagrant violation of
academic integrity. Plagiarism in this course will result in automatic dismissal
from the course, a grade of “F” for the course, and a report of the incident to the
Dean of Students.
Professor Irma Maini
American Literature III
Final
Respond to one question from each section. Spend a few minutes brainstorming or thinking your
ideas through before writing your essay. Please do not write a plot summary. Give specific
examples from the works to support your ideas. If you want to use a quote from the book, simply
write the first and last words of the quote and give the writer’s name and page # in parenthesis.
Part I
Choose any one of the following: (30 points)
1. Many of the works we read brought up the issue of memory and remembering. Discuss the
significance of this issue in any two works. What is the writer’s purpose in using it? How
does it contribute to our overall understanding of the work?
2. Analyze the use of violence in any two works. Why do these writers use images of violence?
Do they succeed in their purpose? How does their use of violence contribute to our overall
understanding of the work?
3. Examine the way writers use wit and humor in any two works. What is the significance of
humor/wit in these stories? Why do the writers use it?
Part II
Analyze the symbolic significance of the title or the ending of any 5 of the following: (50 points)
1. Beloved
3. Hard Riding
5. A Wife’s story
7. And the Earth did not devour him
9. The Crucible
11. Because my Father…
2. Howl
4. In the Field
6. America is in the Heart
8. The Cariboo Café
10.Daddy
Part III
Choose any one of the following: (20 points)
1. Toni Morrison, Arthur Miller, Tim O’Brien, Sylvia Plath, and Sherman Alexie are at a party
together. Imagine their conversation.
2. Sethe, John Proctor, Victor, the unnamed narrator (And the earth did not devour him), and
Panna are at a party together. Imagine their conversation.
Professor Irma Maini
American Literature III
Final
Spend a few minutes brainstorming or thinking your ideas through before writing your essay.
Please do not write a plot summary. Give specific examples from the works to support your
ideas. If you want to use a quote from the book, simply write the first and last words of the quote
and give the writer’s name and page # in parenthesis. You may use your books and handouts but
not your notes.
Part I
Choose any one of the following: (50 points)
Throughout the semester we’ve been talking about the idea that texts are not static artifacts with
self-contained meanings but are strategic examples of what one writer calls “cultural work.” In
other words, texts are products of cultural confrontation, negotiation, and transformation.
Critically analyze any two works (except Beloved) within the context of this idea taking into
account the socio-political, and/or historical background of the work.
OR
Chicana writer Gloria Anzaldua says, “Awareness of our situation must come before inner
changes, which in turn come before changes in society. Nothing happens in the ‘real’ world
unless it first happens in the images in our heads.” Critically examine any two works (except
Beloved) using the ideas in this quote. Make sure you situate your discussion within the context
of race, ethnicity, gender, class, and/or sexuality.
Part II
Analyze the symbolic significance of the title or the ending of any 5 of the following works.
Make sure you relate it to the meaning of the work as a whole: (50 points}
1. Howl
2. Hard Riding
3. Seventeen Syllables
4. Orbiting
5. And the Earth did not devour him
6. Diving into the Wreck
7. In the Field
8. Daddy
9. Because my Father Always said he was the only Indian who saw Jimi Hendrix Play “The StarSpangled Banner” at Woodstock
10. This Blessed House