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Welcome to English 5348 – Literature of the American Renaissance. I developed this course at the request of three graduate students. They felt their undergraduate exposure to the works of the 1850s had been deficient, and they wanted to take a course on some of the foundational mid-19 th century texts that influenced American literature over the next 100 years. We start in the 1830s with the transcendental essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson and then move into the genres of creative non-fiction (Thoreau), poetry
(Whitman & Dickinson), novel (Stowe), short story (Hawthorne & Melville), and autobiography / slave narrative (Jacobs).
This course relies heavily on class discussion. I will not ask you to spit back at me my personal interpretations of these works. I expect you to read for each class period with the goal of developing your own critical understanding of these pieces. Come to class with questions. In the classroom my job is to spark and propel the discussion of this literature.
Required Texts:
1.
Emerson’s Poetry and Prose (Ralph Waldo Emerson; Norton, ISBN: 0393967921)
2.
Walden: Fully Annotated Edition (Henry David Thoreau; Yale, ISBN: 03000104669)
3.
Selections from Walt Whitman & Emily Dickinson (Whitman & Dickinson; Houghton Mifflin,
ISBN: 0395907276)
4.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
(Harriet Beecher Stowe; Norton , ISBN-13: 9780393059465)
5.
Selected Short Stories of Nathaniel Hawthorne (Nathaniel Hawthorne; Random House, ISBN:
0449300129)
6.
Herman Melville’s Short Novels (Herman Melville; Norton, ISBN: 0393976416)
7.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (Harriet Jacobs; Harvard, ISBN: 0674002717)
Daily Schedule:
Additional Information
Grading:
Article Presentation #1
Article Handout #1
Article Presentation #2
Article Handout #2
Midterm Exam
Abstract
Seminar Paper
Participation (Substantial Class & Blackboard Participation,
5%
10%
5%
10%
25%
5%
30%

Peer Review, Paper presentation)
Student Learning Outcomes:
10%
By the end of this graduate seminar, students should be able to:
 Articulate the significance of Emerson’s essays on the writers of the 1850s

Appreciate this especially rich period of the American literary tradition (genres, topics, themes, stylistic innovations, geography, class, race, and gender)

Recognize how historical, political, and social events shape our analysis and appreciation of literature

Argue independent interpretations of assigned texts

Use the terms related to literary study and literary theory appropriately in discussion and in writing

Write persuasive exam essays and explications on assigned texts

Research and write an original essay on some aspect of one of the assigned texts
Seminar Paper:
Your seminar paper (15-20 pages) should offer a unique contribution to the study the works of one of these mid-nineteenth century authors. The paper should include significant scholarly research from credible books and journals cited in MLA format. Please stop by the office (or arrange for a telephone conference) to discuss your seminar paper. If you have any citation questions, SEE ME. Once a paper has been turned in for a grade, I take potential plagiarism very seriously. The seminar paper is worth 30% of your final grade.
I encourage all of you to visit the University of Pennsylvania’s Call for Papers website regularly. It publishes calls for conferences that take place around the world. I urge all of you to revise your abstracts after you have finished your papers and send them to likely conference panels. The website: http://cfp.english.upenn.edu/index.html
.
Abstract:
You will turn in a 500-word abstract of your seminar paper. These abstracts should get the reader interested in your general topic, give a sense of your critical approach, establish your credibility as a scholar, and provide a working thesis.
Midterm Exam:
You will have only a midterm exam in this class. It will consist of short and long essay questions. As with class discussions, I am not looking for a paraphrase of what I have said in class. Answer the questions being asked with your own reasoned, well-supported, and developed essays. It is worth 25% of your final grade.
Article Presentations:
Every student will make 2 presentations on works of scholarship. You will be required to use the library databases and Interlibrary Loan for these works. PLAN AHEAD. You will need time to print out or order these articles.
On your assigned day you will have 15-20 minutes to present your article to the class. Assume that no one in the room has read the piece. DO NOT read your analysis to the class. Each presentation is worth 5% of your final grade. Your handout (in essay form) should include the full citation, the subjects covered, the strengths and limitations of the article, and a few key quotes (provide page numbers). You may feel the

need to provide additional background information or a chronology to the class. Make clear who would find the article useful. Each handout is worth 10% of your final grade.
Your presentation / handout should make clear:

Factual details – subject of article: the who, what, where, and when of the topic and publication.
 The author’s thesis – what is the point of the article?

Critical background of the author (new critical, new historical, feminist, cultural, formalist, psychoanalytic, etc.)

Contribution to the field – is the critic arguing new ideas or repeating old criticism?

Balance of the paper – are some paragraphs weak or incomplete? How do they work together to advance the argument?

Quality of research – what is the depth of background and analysis?

Who would find this article useful? Why?

How does this article help you read the works of the American Renaissance?

Your scholarly opinion of the article (no trash talk or fan mail)
Participation:
This is a graduate course. Translation: Active and scholarly participation is expected every class period.
You will also show respect for the opinions of your classmates. We also have a Blackboard class set up for this course. I want you to get into the habit of sharing your ideas and responses to the readings through the entire week. Try to post lengthy notes and responses to Blackboard at least twice a week. Do not just post on Monday afternoons! Each student will be expected to make 8 or more substantial contributions to the Blackboard this semester for a C in Blackboard participation. If you do not participate regularly in class discussion, 16 BB postings are needed for a C in participation. For an A in participation, you should post 16 (with regular class contributions) or 32 (without substantial classroom contributions.) I will keep a record of postings in the gradebook.
Attendance:
Your attendance is expected. I understand that life can be unpredictable. If you must miss class due to an excused absence, please try to contact me before class. [Stop by the office, email, call me at home or at the office.]
3 excused & unexcused absences = Final grade drops by one
4 excused & unexcused absences = Failure of course
Late Work:
Late work will not be accepted.
Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism:
This definition of plagiarism comes from the 2000-2001 University of Maine at Farmington catalog:
Students plagiarize when they make use of the work of others and claim such work as their own.
The phrase “ make use of ” refers to such actions as the following:
(a) copying words, phrases, or sentences verbatim;
(b) paraphrasing or summarizing sentences or paragraphs;
(c) appropriating ideas, facts, arguments, or concepts which are not common knowledge.
Plagiarism is a serious violation of academic integrity. (305). Please make sure you understand this definition. Plagiarism in this class will result in failure of the course.
Beepers and Cell Phones:
Please turn off the audible portion of all beepers and cell phones in class. No text messaging will be permitted in class.

Refreshments:
Feel free to bring beverages (non-alcoholic) to class. If you bring food, bring enough for the entire class.
No tobacco in any form will be allowed.
The Writing Center:
Located in BUS 202, the UT-Tyler Writing Center provides professional writing tutoring for all students in all disciplines. If you wish to use the Writing Center, you should plan for a minimum of two hour-long tutorials per assignment: the first to provide an initial consultation and drafting plan, and the second to follow up. Be prepared to take an active role in your learning--you will be expected write and/or discuss your work during your tutorial. While Writing Center tutors are happy to provide constructive criticism and teach effective writing techniques, under no circumstances will they fix your paper for you.
Appointments: 903-565-5995. More information: www.uttyler.edu/writingcenter.
Students Rights and Responsibilities
To know and understand the policies that affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at UT Tyler, please follow this link: http://www.uttyler.edu/wellness/StudentRightsandResponsibilities.html
Grade Replacement/Forgiveness
If you are repeating this course for a grade replacement, you must file an intent to receive grade forgiveness with the registrar by the 12th day of class. Failure to do so will result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your overall grade point average. Undergraduates will receive grade forgiveness (grade replacement) for only three course repeats; graduates, for two course repeats during his/her career at UT Tyler.
State-Mandated Course Drop Policy
Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from dropping more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses dropped at another
2-year or 4-year Texas public college or university. For purposes of this rule, a dropped course is any course that is dropped after the 12th day of class (See Schedule of Classes for the specific date).
Exceptions to the 6-drop rule may be found in the catalog. Petitions for exemptions must be submitted to the Registrar's Office and must be accompanied by documentation of the extenuating circumstance.
Please contact the Registrar's Office if you have any questions.
Disability Services
In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodation must provide documentation of his/her disability to the Disability Support Services counselor. If you have a disability, including a learning disability, for which you request an accommodation, please contact Donna Khalic in the
Disability Support Services office in UC 282, or call (903) 566-7079.
Student Absence due to Religious Observance
Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor of such absences by the second class meeting of the semester.
Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities
If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event sponsor) must notify the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time the instructor will set a date and time when make-up assignments will be completed.

Social Security and FERPA Statement:
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail) risks violation of the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will not be transmitted electronically.
Emergency Exits and Evacuation:
Everyone is required to exit the building when a fire alarm goes off. Follow your instructor’s directions regarding the appropriate exit. If you require assistance during an evacuation, inform your instructor in the first week of class. Do not re-enter the building unless given permission by University Police, Fire department, or Fire Prevention Services.