English 214-1
University of Wisconsin, SP, Spring 2007
Professor: Dr. G. Christopher Williams
Office Hours: 1PM-2PM MWF or by appointment
Office: CCC 423
Office Phone: 346-2769
E-mail: cwilliam@uwsp.edu
Class Time: 11-11:50PM MWF
Classroom: M - CPS 209 WF – CPS 326
Catalogue Description: 3 cr. Emphasis on major writers from James to the present, stressing insight into their
works. GDR:HU2
Course Goals and Objectives:
The primary goal of this course is to read and analyze American literature from 1865 to the present. Students will
analyze and discuss Realist, Naturalist, Modernist, and Postmodernist texts in order to come to understand the
development of American literature over the past century and a half.
A secondary goal of this course is to learn how to interpret literary texts. An emphasis on critical reading is
paramount and participation in discussion of the works that we are reading is crucial to success in the course. To
supplement that goal we will focus on learning to recognize patterns and structure in literary texts. The course
will focus developing interpretive skills and learning how to formulate a reasonable literary analysis.
Texts:
Norton Anthology of American Literature. Sixth Edition. Vol. C-E. Ed. Nina Baym. Norton, 2003. (rental)
  
Grading Formula:
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3
In class and out of class writing
Attendance & Participation
100 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
150-200 pts.
50 pts.
Grading Scale:
87-89% = B+
77-79% = C+
67-69% = D+
59% and below = F
94-100% = A
84-86% = B
74-76% = C
64-66% = D
90-93%=A80-83% = B70-73% = C60-63% = D-
Classroom Regulations:
1. Make-up work. Daily work and exams cannot be made up. If you choose to not attend and miss a daily
writing, you will receive no points for that assignment. Missing one or two of these writings will probably have
no significant effect on your final grade but missing many of them will. Regular attendance is encouraged.
Likewise, your presence is expected on exam days and exams may not be made up. (Note to commuters:
exceptions may be made for severe or inclement weather conditions that create unsafe driving conditions)
2. Writing Assignments. Since the focus of the course is to practice interpretive skills and in order to evaluate
your progress in textual interpretation, you will be required to write regularly about the various stories, poems, and
plays we will be reading. Before coming to class, you should prepare a short list (words and phrases are
fine—these are merely a record of your thoughts and observations) of answers to the following questions for every
story, most poems, and every play that will be under discussion for the next class period:




What words, images, and/or ideas do you see repeated throughout this text?
What passage(s) in this text do you find particularly dramatic, insightful, ironic, or funny? Briefly explain.
What passage(s) in this text do you find especially odd or unusual? Or, is there anything in the text that
seemed out of place or especially confusing? Briefly explain.
Does this text or a section of it remind you of any other stories (including historical events, myths, folklore,
fairy tales, etc.)? Briefly explain.
When class is held these reading notes will aid you in answering (and will often specifically direct) an in-class
writing you do for that period. The answers to the out of class writing should be brief. Each of them is worth 5
points each. I will collect a set of these from you every class period. In-class writings based on these out-of-class
writings will occur about once a week and will be worth 10 points each. In other words, there will be about 25
points of in and out of class work a week.
3. Exams. Essay exams will be given in class and will be open book and open note. Blue books will be provided
on the date of the exam. As noted, exams may not be made up. Plan to attend.
4. Plagiarism. Students in this course are responsible for reading and understanding the English Department’s
Statement on Plagiarism. While inadvertent plagiarism can be easily corrected, intentional plagiarism is a serious
academic offense with potentially grave consequences. With the rise of internet usage, incidents of plagiarism
have risen. At the same time, internet tools have made plagiarism easier to identify. Don’t take chances. Do your
own work.
5. Schedule. The following schedule is subject to change at my discretion. If you have been absent, please
make sure to always check with me or with your fellow students regarding possible schedule changes for the next
day that you will be attending. While you may have been absent, you are still responsible for being prepared for
class when you return.
6. Attendance. Attendance is taken at each class. You are allowed three absences without penalty. Save these
for days when you need them. Any absence following the first three absences may result in loss of up to 10
attendance points per absence and lost points for daily work. In addition to attendance, these 50 points are also
considered participation points. As long as you attend and contribute to discussion regularly, these points are
yours. Plan on coming prepared to discuss the readings.
7. Students With Special Needs. If there is anything I can do to help you to make the best of your opportunities
in higher education, please let me know. If any special equipment, interpreters, or books on tape that would aid
you in pursuing your interests in the course, I will do my best to help make those things available to you.
MONDAY
Modernism
Eliot 1420, 1443, 1446
Modernism
Cummings 1623-35
FRIDAY
Naturalism & Realism
Twain 407-420
Naturalism & Realism
Crane 920-27
Naturalism & Realism
Gilman 832-44
Naturalism & Realism
Crane 903-920
Naturalism & Realism
Dickinson poem #s: 185,
324, 341, 435, 465, 501,
632, 712, , 1545, 1651
Modernism
Eliot 1430-1443
Modernism
Stevens 1235-51
Modernism
Faulkner 1790-1803
Modernism
Hemingway 1848-85
Spring Break
Spring Break
Spring Break
Modernism
Wolfe 1866-85
Modernism
O’Connor 2204-11
Modernism
O’Connor 2211-25
11 - Week
of April 2
12 - Week
of April 9
Modernism
Baldwin 2191-2203
Postmodernism
Welty 1966-76
Modernism
Ellison 2065-2077
Postmodernism
Morrison 2253-67
Exam #2 Modernism
13 - Week
of April 16
14 - Week
of April 23
Postmodernism
Carver 2368-77
Postmodernism
Pynchon 2357-67
Postmodernism
Powers 2573-2606
Postmodernism
Film TBA
Postmodernism
Roth 2278-99
Postmodernism
Reed 2378-88
Postmodernism
Leguin 2206-34
Postmodernism
Film TBA
Postmodernism
Ginsberg 2863-77
Postmodernism
Baraka 2301-2606
Postmodernism
Reading TBA
Postmodernism
Film TBA
1- Week of
Jan. 22
2 - Week of
Jan. 29
3 - Week of
Feb. 5
4 - Week of
Feb. 12
5 - Week of
Feb. 19
Introduction to the syllabus
6 - Week of
Feb. 26
Exam #1 Naturalism &
Realism
7 - Week of
March 5
Modernism
Pound 1286
H.D. 1302-1320
Modernism
Toomer 1636-40
8 - Week of
March 12
9 - Week of
March 19
10 - Week
of March 26
15 - Week
of April 30
Week of
May 7
Naturalism & Realism
Bierce 452-459
Naturalism & Realism
Chopin 629-33
Naturalism & Realism
London 977-87
Naturalism & Realism
Frost 1177, 1183, 1185, 1187,
1189, 1190, 1191, 1196
WEDNESDAY
Naturalism & Realism
Twain 219-230
Naturalism & Realism
Harte 427-435
Naturalism & Realism
Jewett 597-604 (TZ)
Naturalism & Realism
James 506-24
Naturalism & Realism
Whitman 96, 100, 101, 109, 110,
113, 115, 116
Postmodernism
Cheever 2043-51
May 16-20 Finals Week—Final Exam Postmodernism (Time & Date TBA)