511SyllabusSpring2012
Syllabus for ENGL 511: The American Novel
Spring 2012
Instructor and Contact Information:
Dr. Don Florence (Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1993)
Gardner Learning Center, WNMU, Truth or Consequences NM
Email: Our primary email communication will be through Blackboard email. In the
Blackboard email box, when you compose a message, just hit “browse” for the “Send to”
box in order to pull up my email address. If Blackboard email is down, you can contact
me through Mustang Express at florenced1@wnmu.edu
Phone: If you need to call me, my number is 575-894-2884. I have an answering
machine.
Snail Mail: If you need to send a letter bomb, my home address is 512 N. Silver, Truth or
Consequences NM 87901
Office Hours: Mondays 2-4 p.m. I will be online during these two hours every Monday
unless you’re notified otherwise. Also, I’ll be online periodically every day of the week
and usually will respond to emails within 24 hours. On weekends and special occasions I
might not respond sometimes for up to 48 hours, depending on circumstances.
Course Description:
From the current edition of the WNMU course catalog: “Readings in American fiction
from 1945 to the present.” Says a lot, doesn’t it? Well, at least the catalog description
does narrow the course to “fiction,” presumably the long fiction we call novels, with the
aforesaid fiction being American and written since WWII. And because I don’t want to
make a liar out of the course catalog any more often than necessary, American novels
since WWII are what we shall study. Our seven novels, the Magnificent Seven, or at
least the Not Too Shabby Seven, present techniques and perspectives across the literary,
cultural, and psychological spectrum. We shall learn much and stay out of mischief most
of the time.
Course Objectives:
 To study some American novels written since WWII
 To survey a range of novelistic methods and perspectives
 To understand some ways that race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and culture help to
shape a novel
 To realize that these American novels express the search for identity
Required Texts:
These texts are all paperback and are available either through the WNMU bookstore
(Follett's) or through online bookstores like Amazon.com.
Anaya, Rudolfo. Bless Me, Ultima. NY: Grand Central Publishing (Warner Books),
1999.
ISBN 9780446675369
Bellow, Saul. More Die of Heartbreak. NY: Penguin, 2004.
ISBN 9780142437742
Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. NY: Random House, 1995.
ISBN 9780679732761
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. NY: HarperCollins, 2002.
ISBN 9780060935467
Morrison, Toni. Beloved. NY: Random House, 2004.
ISBN 9781400033416
Pynchon, Thomas. The Crying of Lot 49. NY: HarperCollins, 2006.
ISBN 9780060913076
Silko, Leslie Marmon. Ceremony. NY: Penguin, 2006.
ISBN 9780143104919
Course Requirements:
1. Complete all readings and post all required discussion responses on time. Readings and
pertinent discussion posts must be done during the week assigned. You may return later
in the semester to add discussion posts to a topic if you wish; however, only discussion
posts made during the assigned week for given topics will count toward your discussion
grade. Remember that discussion posts can serve as fruitful sources of ideas for your
essays and that much of the enjoyment in this course will come from discussing the
stories online. Also, regular discussion posting signifies that you are attending the
course, as required. Failure to attend the course via regular discussion posting or failure
to fulfill other required assignments may result in your being dropped from the course
before the March 30th deadline to withdraw without a course grade being reported. In
such cases, I prefer to drop students from the course rather than give them a bad grade at
the end of the semester. So please be sure to keep up on the coursework conscientiously.
2. Complete all paper assignments and submit each paper by its due date.
3. Maintain regular contact with the instructor about questions, observations, or problems
you have.
Course Assessment & Grading:
Discussion Posts: Each week you will be asked to write one well-developed paragraph
each in response to two of my posted discussion questions and also to write one welldeveloped paragraph each in response to two posts by your fellow students. In other
words, you will be writing at least four paragraphs of discussion posts each week. You
may write longer responses and respond to more questions and posts if you wish; I’ve
specified the discussion requirements. Beyond that, you may do as much additional
discussing as you wish.
Because forum discussion is intended as informal "electronic conversation," posts are not
held to the same standard as critical papers, but they should nevertheless be reasonably
organized, well written, and persuasive. Required posts will be evaluated for
thoughtfulness, insights and expressiveness. Discussion posts (semester total) will count
34% toward your course grade.
Papers: You will write three papers, each approximately five pages in length. You are
not required to use outside (secondary) sources, but if you do, please be sure to document
all such sources using proper MLA format. (Consult the MLA handbook or check with
me.) Be sure to attribute all ideas and words not your own to their proper sources.
Plagiarism will result in an automatic F for that assignment; two plagiarized assignments
will result in an automatic F for the course. (For more on plagiarism, see the 2011-2012
WNMU catalog, pp. 383-84.) Finally, whether or not you use secondary sources, please
remember that each paper should be primarily your ideas about the given topic. I’m
interested in your analysis, not somebody else’s. This course emphasizes reading,
writing, and thinking. Also, please remember that each paper should be well organized,
well written, fluent, and relatively free from mechanical errors. At the time of the first
paper assignment, I will review briefly some principles guiding the writing of critical
papers. I will also provide "Guidelines to Good Writing" for those wanting more detailed
advice. I will be glad to answer questions by email while you’re writing your papers.
Please remember that you can consult the WNMU Online Writing Center at
http://www.wnmu.edu/wow/ for further assistance. Each paper will count 22% toward
your course grade, for a total of 66%. There is no final exam.
The Course Grading System:
A : 93% - 100%
A-: 90% - 92%
B+: 87% – 89%
B: 83% - 86%
B-: 80% - 82%
C+: 77% - 79%
C: 73% - 76%
C-: 70% - 72%
D+: 67% - 69%
D: 63% - 66%
D-: 60% - 62%
F: less than 60%
General Course Information:
Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally and to exhibit civility and
courtesy toward one another and toward their beloved instructor. Sweetness and light
should be our guiding principles since this is a literature course, not politics. Be graceful,
lucid, responsible, cooperative, kind, truthful, intellectually honest, and sundry other nice
things. Granted, Mark Twain said, "Be good and you will be lonesome"—but be bad and
you might not like the company you get.
Some individuals might choose to disclose personal information during class. It is
important that all students agree not to discuss or write about what others have discussed
in class. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas (along with your money), and what
happens in class, stays in class.
If you have any special needs that render difficult your meeting this course’s
requirements, please contact the WNMU Disability Services Office at 575-538-6400.
Please see additional information below.
If you’re not familiar with online course technology, please review the free tutorials
available from Blackboard. There are also links to Online Student Resources, the Online
Writing Center, Ask a Librarian (out for a date?), and Library Database Search in the
Web Links (see the Course Tools menu at left) and in the WNMU Resources folder on
the course home page.
If you have any questions, please contact me or contact the WNMU Help Desk at
helpdesk@wnmu.edu or 575-574-4357. The Help Desk is more knowledgeable about
technical matters than I am, not surprisingly. You might also consider posting a question
to our Discussion Board and hope one of your fellow students is a techie.
The syllabus and schedule are both tentative and hence subject to change if I find certain
policies, procedures, and assignments not working so well as intended. I’ve tried to
assemble a reading list that is both fun and enlightening. See the Schedule for reading
assignments for the semester; also, please note the individual weekly assignments (Week
1, Week 2, Week 3, etc.). All these links are in the Learning Modules, found in the
Course Tools menu.
An online course offers more flexibility to juggle time than does a regular classroom
course, but an online course also requires more self-discipline. Don’t get behind; you will
find it very difficult to catch up. Be sure to do all readings and assignments during the
time periods allotted. If you have questions, problems, or just want to chat about course
ideas and issues, remember that I’m here, at least electronically! As noted above, I’m on
the computer frequently and typically answer emails quickly and fully.
Please let me know if work, illness (yours or that of a family member), server or
computer problems, vacation, or other extenuating circumstances affect your ability to
keep up the expected pace. Depending on specific problems, we can often adjust due
dates for posts or even paper assignments to accommodate individual and class needs.
I encourage a relaxed, inquisitive atmosphere where students are not afraid to take
chances intellectually. I especially value originality and intellectual honesty.
In literary discussion and writing, there are rarely "right" and "wrong" answers. Instead,
there are thoughtful, well-developed, and well-supported arguments--and those that are
less so. Try to produce the former. Each of you comes to this course with a unique set of
experiences, intellectual pursuits, emotions, and interests. Take advantage of that fact and
explore eagerly the intersection between what you read and what you are. Reading and
discussing literature can be enormously rewarding, but it requires a strong commitment
on your part. Yes, it’s yet another case of your getting out what you put in.
Course Expectations and WNMU Policies for Students:
The following sections are generic WNMU policies and procedures, some of which
overlap with what I've already written in my personalized syllabus above. Please
acquaint yourself with all this material.
Attendance:
Attendance in an online class is evaluated by your attendance to the material. You will
get out of the course what you put into the course. You will need to be a “self-starter”,
and control your own calendar in order to meet the deadlines for the course.
Informed Consent:
Some individuals may choose to disclose personal information during class. Therefore, it
is important that all classmates agree not to discuss or write about what others have
discussed in class.
Professionalism:
Students are learning professional skills and are expected to engage in classroom
discussions, complete reading assignments and turn in assignments in a timely fashion as
befitting professional behavior.
Scholarly Writing:
Use clear, college-level writing with correct spelling and grammar for all assignments. If
you need help in writing, check with the WNMU Online Writing Center.
Special Needs:
Services for students with disabilities are provided through the Academic Support
Center’s Disability Services Office in the Juan Chacon Building, Room 220. Some
examples of the assistance provided are: audio materials for the blind or dyslexic, note
takers, readers, campus guides, audio recorders, a quiet testing area, and undergraduate
academic tutors (available to all WNMU students). In order to qualify for these services,
documentation must be provided by certified health care professionals. Disability
Services forms are available in the Academic Support Center. The Disability Services
Office, in conjunction with the Academic Support Center, serves as Western New
Mexico University's liaison for students with disabilities. The Academic Support
Center’s Disability Services Office can be contacted by phone at 575-538-6400 or e-mail
at dss@wnmu.edu
Communication Policy Statement regarding official email :
WNMU’s policy requires that all official communication be sent via Mustang Express.
As a result, all emails related to your enrollment at WNMU and class communication –
including changes in assignments and grades – will be sent to your wnmu.edu email
address. It is very important that you access your Mustang Express e-mail periodically to
check for correspondence from the University. (Please note that this is a general
university policy based primarily on classroom courses. For correspondence pertaining
to our Blackboard course, please use our Blackboard email box.)
If you receive most of your email at a different address you can forward your messages
from Mustang Express to your other address.
Example: Martin Classmember was assigned a WNMU email address of
classmemberm12@wnmu.edu but Martin would rather receive his emails at his home
email address of martinclass@yahoo.com
Martin would follow the direction provided at
http://www.wnmu.edu/campusdocs/direction%20for%20forwarding%20email.htm
WNMU Policy on Email Passwords:
WNMU requires that passwords for access to all of the protected software, programs, and
applications will be robust, including complexity in the number of characters required,
the combination of characters required, and the frequency in which passwords are
required to be changed. Minimum complexity shall include:
·
Passwords shall contain at least six (6) characters.
·
Passwords shall contain at least one capital (upper case) letter, and at least one
symbol (numbers and characters such as @ # $ % & *).
·
Passwords shall be changed at least every 90 days. (8/6/08)
Integrated Use of Technology:
Because this is an online course, I am making the assumption that you are comfortable
utilizing a computer, and navigating various software programs like Blackboard and
Microsoft Word.
Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures:
Each student shall observe standards of honesty and integrity in academic work
completed at WNMU. Students may be penalized for violations of the Academic
Integrity policy. Please refer to pages 383-84 of the 2011-2012 WNMU Catalog;
especially note the definition of plagiarism on p. 383. Intentionally or unintentionally
submitting the words and/or ideas of somebody else as your own work constitutes
plagiarism and will not be tolerated.
Code of Civility
In order to promote a positive, professional atmosphere among students, faculty and staff,
the following Code of Civility has been developed:
Respect: Treat all students, faculty, staff and property with respect and in a courteous and
professional manner. This includes all communications, whether verbal or written. Let
your actions reflect pride in yourself, your university, and your profession.
Kindness: A kind word and gentle voice go a long way. Refrain from using profanity,
insulting slang remarks, or making disparaging comments. Consider another person’s
feelings. Be nice.
Truth: Exhibit honesty and integrity in your dealings with fellow students, faculty and
staff members. Don’t lie, don’t cheat, and don’t steal.
Responsibility: Take responsibility for your actions. This includes gracefully accepting
the consequences of your behavior.
Cooperation: Exhibit a cooperative manner when dealing with students, faculty and staff
so we may all work towards our common goals and mission.
Acceptance: Accept differences in others, as they accept differences in you. This
includes diversity in opinions, beliefs and ideas and everything else that makes us unique
individuals.
511ScheduleSpring2012
Schedule for ENGL 511: The American Novel
Spring 2012
Dr. Don Florence
Please note that usually a course “week” runs from a Wednesday morning to the
following Tuesday night. That includes the weekend plus two days thereafter to get your
week’s assignments done.
In addition to the assignments listed below, each week you will be writing one paragraph,
each, in response to two of my discussion topics and in response to two of your fellow
students’ posts regarding the week’s assigned readings. You may respond to more topics
and posts if you wish, of course.
In other words, you’ll be writing four paragraphs (or more, if you wish) each week in the
discussion forum as your class participation. For more details, see the individual weekly
links in the Discussions section, found in the Course Tools menu. The weekly discussion
topics are available immediately after each weekly lecture. The discussion topics will
also be available in the discussion forum at the start of each course week.
I’m adding YouTube video clips as I find clips suitably illustrating our works and topics.
Such clips are recommended viewing to give you additional perspectives on these
subjects.
Week 1 (Jan. 9-17): American Novels
My lecture outlining the course and providing an overview of modern American novels
Week 2 (Jan. 18-24): Ralph Ellison
Ellison, Invisible Man (first half)
My lecture on race and identity in American literature
Week 3 (Jan. 25-31): Ellison (cont.)
Ellison, Invisible Man (finish)
My lecture on lingering questions of identity in Ellison’s novel and America
Week 4 (Feb. 1-7): Harper Lee
Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird (through chp. 14)
My lecture on Harper Lee, childhood, and perspective
Paper #1 assigned Wednesday, Feb. 1st due Wednesday, Feb. 22nd
Week 5 (Feb. 8-14): Harper Lee (cont.)
Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird (finish)
My lecture on the South and racism
Week 6 (Feb. 15-21): Thomas Pynchon
Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49 (get as far as you can)
My lecture on the Sixties, surrealism, and seeking meaning
Week 7 (Feb. 22-28): Pynchon (cont.)
Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49 (finish)
Paper #1 due Wed., Feb. 22nd
Week 8 (Feb. 29 - March 4) Questions
A chance to ask questions about the course thus far.
Paper #2 assigned Wednesday, February 29th; due Wednesday, April 4th.
Week 9: (March 5-11): Spring Recess
Week 10 (March 12-20): Rudolfo Anaya
Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima (through chp. doce [12])
My lecture on Rudolfo Anaya, magical realism, and cultural crosscurrents.
Week 11 (March 21-27): Rudolfo Anaya (cont.)
Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima (finish)
My lecture on cultural and psychological integration
Week 12 (March 28 - April 3): Leslie Marmon Silko
Silko, Ceremony
My lecture on Leslie Marmon Silko and Native American literature.
Week 13 (April 4-10): Saul Bellow
Bellow, More Die of Heartbreak (first half)
My lecture on Saul Bellow, Jewish-American literature, humor, and heartbreak
Paper #2 due Wed., April 4th
Paper #3 assigned Wed., April 4th; due Wed., May 2nd
Week 14 (April 11-17): Bellow (cont.)
Bellow, More Die of Heartbreak (finish)
My lecture on creating meaning
Week 15 (April 18-24): Toni Morrison
Morrison, Beloved (Part One)
My lecture on Morrison and her version of magical realism
Week 16 (April 25-May 4): Morrison (cont.) and Course Review
Morrison, Beloved (finish)
My lecture on the search for identity (yes, again)
Course review, general questions
Paper #3 due Wed., May 2nd