ENG 223 – Themes of Literature – Gender in American Literature
Dr. Ryan Stryffeler
M & W 2:30-3:45
Fall 2014
Number of Credits: 3
Transferability of Course within Nevada:
Transfers within Nevada.
Course Description
This course offers reading of short stories, poems, plays, and novellas on a theme selected by the
instructor. Our theme will be Gender, or the cultural experience and perception of biological sex
difference. The roles of men and women are never static; expectations constantly evolve, change,
revert, and progress. Just as the mundane details of our lives evolve, so too do our
understandings of what it means to be a “normal” man or women in our society. This course will
explore the way these expectations have evolved in America through cultural artifacts of the
time, i.e. literature. Furthermore, we will integrate texts that complicate the normative
understandings of femininity and manhood in or readings, instead of addressing them separately.
Finally, I decided to narrow our timeframe from Am. Lit. writ large to Am. Canonical Lit.
between 1840-1940. This 100 year span is important because it encompassed the most rapid and
dynamic changes to the perception of normative gender roles in American history. I have also
decided to focus primarily on the perceptions of dominant, normative (read: white) gender
behavior. While we will be exposed to marginalized perspectives, the y will not provide a
foundational role in our course of study this semester. Assignments will include two exams, two
short essays and a presentation.
Prerequisite: ENG 101 and ENG 102 or consent of the instructor.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course the students should be able to:
 Read / think critically
 Thematically analyze works of literature
 Discuss and write clearly about themes in literary works
Linkage of course to educational program mission and at least one educational program outcome.
 have college-level skills in reading, writing, and oral communication appropriate to their
degree and/or emphasis.
 have problem solving, creative, and critical thinking skills.
 have effective and efficient learning skills, including the location and evaluation of
information.
 have an understanding of fine arts or performing arts.
 understand the importance of cultural traditions, diversity, and ethics in the modern
world.
Required Texts (in order of use): ~ note: other complete editions of these works are fine.
Baym, Nina. Ed. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. The Shorter Eight Edition,
Volume 2. New York: W.W. Norton and Co. 2013.
O’Neill, Eugene. The Hairy Ape. The full text is available in electronic form for free from The
Electronic Eugene O’Neill Archive (EOneill.com) or you can just purchase any edition of
the play online or at any bookstore or download at
http://www.eoneill.com/texts/ha/contents.htm.
INSTRUCTOR AVAILABILITY:
Instructor: Dr. Ryan Stryffeler (pronounced Dr. Streef-ler)
Office: BRIS 350 M
Phone Number: 775-445-4284.
Email: Ryan.Stryffeler@wnc.edu
Please use email to contact me.
My office hours for student concerns are:
Monday:
1:00- 2:30 pm
Tuesday:
2:30 – 4:00 pm
Wednesday: 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Thursday:
2:30 – 4:00 pm
These are the times that I should generally be available to meet with students. Please feel free to
stop in any time during these designated hours. Other office hours are by appointment only; I
am willing to make time for you, but please talk to me in advance.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:
Daily FB posts over reading assignments (200 pts)
Short Analysis paper # 1
(200 pts)
Mid-Term Exam
(150 pts)
Short Analysis paper #2
(200 pts)
Final Exam
(150 pts)
Cultural Presentation
(100 pts)
Accumulated grade will be taken out of 1000 points total.
EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADING CRITERIA:
For average work, you will earn an average grade, which is a "C". A further important item of
note: in general, papers that do not meet the minimum page/word count requirements will earn a
grade no higher than a "C-". Major projects (the 2 essays and the 2 exams,) must be
completed in order to pass the class.
Participation weighs in more heavily in this course than in most others - you are expected to
contribute to class discussions regularly. I am here to guide you. When you have questions,
ask. But I also place great responsibility on your shoulders. You must take an active role in
your education. Sitting here, trying just to "absorb" what is going on is not likely to help
you much. Learn to read carefully and ask questions as soon as you feel lost.
I encourage any student needing to request accommodations for a specific disability to contact
the DSS coordinator, Susan Trist (445-3275), at your earliest convenience to ensure timely and
appropriate accommodations.
COURSE POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS:
Attendance
Attendance is neither required nor noted. However, note exam questions will be gleaned from
the course notes provided each class period. I will not go back and review content for those who
arrive late, so make sure you are on time and remain for the entire period. You are responsible
for the material covered in class. If you miss a class, make sure to get the information, notes,
announcements, etc. from a classmate.
WITHDRAWAL PROCESS AND RESPONSIBILITY:
In order to withdraw from a class, a student must fill out the requisite paperwork before the final
withdrawal date. I will not withdraw you from this course; you must do it yourself! You will
earn a grade for work completed during the semester unless you properly drop the course
through the registration office. If a student simply stops attending class, or fails to turn in major
assignments, a grade of “F” will be issued as the final grade. Last Day to Drop: October 24th
Late Work
I will not accept late work. There are absolutely no exceptions to this policy!
If an emergency arises, please contact me ASAP. Communication with me before an assignment
is due provides you the only means to explain unforeseen circumstances and exercise other
options. PLEASE NOTE: Print out your work at least the day before and/or email it to yourself
so that you are able to retrieve it anywhere. Computer and/or printer failure are NO excuse. If it
is not turned in during the class period in which it is due, you will earn zero points for the
assignment. This means that if you choose to not to complete an assignment by the due date
and receive zero points, you will still need to complete it before the end of the semester in order
to attempt to pass the course via the points you have earned.
Cell Phone/Electronic Devices:
While Cell phones and iPods are convenient, their presence in the classroom can be distracting to
your fellow colleagues and myself. All devices of this type should be turned off or switched to a
vibrate setting while you are in class. Failure to do so will initially result in a warning;
subsequent violations of this policy may result in an absence for the day and dismissal from
class. This policy includes texting during class, headphones covering the ears, or using laptops
for entertainment purposes, such as Facebook!
Common Civility
Entering a college classroom demands that you treat others in a manner that is supportive of
academic inquiry, curiosity, and shared learning. This course will contain material that you may
find challenging or offensive. By staying in this class, you agree to participate in course
discussions in a civil, tolerant way. Many readings in this course may challenge your belief
systems, which is an integral part of the learning process. While I will not critique your
worldview, I would be prepared to have your perception of gender norms questioned and/or
challenged in this course. Common respect involves being adult enough to not disturb others
with side conversations. In this class, only one person should be talking at a time. Whether it is
the instructor or a classmate, please give the individual speaking your full attention. Failure to be
civil and courteous to you colleagues and/or professor will result in a loss of attendance/quiz
points or dismissal from the course.
Academic Honesty
The College is committed to academic integrity in all its practices. Cheating on papers, tests or
other academic works is a violation of College rules. No student shall engage in behavior that, in
the judgment of the instructor of the class, may be construed as cheating. This may include, but
is not limited to, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty such as the acquisition
without permission of tests or other academic materials and/or distribution of these materials and
other academic work. This includes students who aid and abet as well as those who attempt such
behavior. BUYING an essay or willfully submitting someone else's work as your own are
instances of academic dishonesty that will result in failure of the class, at the very least. In a
word – do not even consider it. In addition, you may not turn in papers written for another class
to fulfill the assignments for this one. Acts of academic dishonesty will result in an F grade for
an assignment or for the course, based upon the discretion of the instructor. Please refer to the
student handbook for more information of the College’s academic dishonesty policies.
RIGHT OF REVISION STATEMENT:
The instructor and Western Nevada College reserve the right to make reasonable changes to this
syllabus and/or schedule as necessary.
Continued enrollment in this course indicates that you have read and agree to follow the
course policies and procedures discussed herein.
Reading Schedule for ENG 223
Gender in Am. Literature
Fall 2014
Please note:
1. You must post a response to the Readings Each Day on the “Secret” Facebook group for
in order to receive your daily 10 response points. One paragraph minimum!
2. You are expected to read any biographical/cultural information that precedes each
author (e.g. in the short story anthology). Exam questions will be drawn from the
biographical information, as well as from the literary selections and any course notes
presented in handouts or written on the board
3. This schedule may change substantially as interest and discussion dictate. Any changes
will be noted in class.
Monday, August 25th – Introduction to the Course: review of syllabus, course expectations, and
policies.
 Read Chapter 8: “Gendering the Text” from Texts and Contexts (2008) (handout given in
class).
 Read background info (handout given in class)
Wednesday, August 27th – Introductory remarks and theoretical background: What is gender?
Discuss identity politics and cultural criticism. Discussion of cultural presentations in
more detail. Sign up for cultural presentations.
September 1st – Labor Day!! No Class. The College is Closed
Sept. 3rd – No class. I will be out of town
 Read Emily Dickinson poetry: “Because I could not stop for Death,” “Wild Nights!,” “A
Narrow fellow in the grass,” “ There is a Certain Slant of Light,” and “Tell all the truth
but tell it slant.”
th
Sept. 8 – Discussion of Dickinson: indicative of normative gender expectations or rebellious
subversion?
 Read W. D. Howells “Editha” p. 307
Sept. 10th – Men writing women: the crafting of the “other” gender and propaganda
 Read Henry James “Daisy Miller: A Study” p 327.
Sept. 15th – The intersections and expectations of class and gender
 Read Sarah Orne Jewett “A White Heron” p. 412
 Read Mary Wilkins Freeman “A New England Nun” p. 437
Sept. 17th - Chaste womanhood and normative subversion
 Read Kate Chopin – all selections
Sept. 22nd – Sexuality and womanhood in the Victorian period
 Read Charlotte Perkins Gilman “The Yellow Wallpaper”
 Read Sui Sin Far “Mrs. Spring Fragrance” (handout given in class)
Sept. 24th – The agony and ecstasy of Victorian marriage and gender expectation.
 Read Theodore Dreiser “Sister Carrie” (all)
 Read Edith Wharton “The Other Two”
Sept. 29th – Men writing women: masculinity informing femininity
 Read Susan Glaspell “Trifles”
Oct. 1st – Modernism and femininity. First Essay Due!!!!
 Read Zora Neale Hurston (all)
 Read Flannery O’Conner “Good Country People”
Oct. 6th – Gender in Folklore
Oct. 8th – Review for midterm exam
Oct. 13th –Midterm exam!
 Read selections from Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau (handout given in
class)
th
Oct. 15 –Romantic notions of manhood
 Read historical background info (handout given in class)
 Read Whitman “Song of Myself” p. 24-64
Oct. 20th – Discussion of the assertion of male individualism in Whitman & male eroticism.
 Read Ambrose Bierce “Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
 Read Brett Harte “The Luck of Roaring Camp”
 Read Jack London “To Build a Fire”
Oct. 22nd – the emergence of strenuous manhood
 Read Jack London “What Life Means to Me”
 Read Fredrick Jackson Turner “. . .Frontier in American Life”
 Read Theodore Roosevelt (all)
Oct. 27th –The ideology of strenuous masculinity
 Read Stephen Crane (all)
Oct. 29th – Naturalism as expression of passionate manhood.
 Read Edwin Arlington Robinson (all)
 Read Robert Frost “Death of the Hired Man,” “The Road not Taken,” “Fire and Ice,”
“Stopping by the woods on a Snowy Evening,” and “Out, Out-”.
rd
Nov. 3 – Pseudo-modernist poetry: the first steps away from physical manhood
 Read Carl Sandburg “Chicago”
 Read T. S. Eliot “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”
Nov. 5th – High modernism and male anxiety
 Read Eugene O’Neil “The Hairy Ape” (read online from
http://www.eoneill.com/texts/ha/contents.htm)
Nov. 10th –Drama and masculinity
Nov. 12th – O’ Neill Continued
 Read Claude McKay “If We Must Die,” and “The Lynching”
 Read Jean Toomer (all)
 Read Richard Wright “The Man Who was Almost a Man”
Nov. 17th – African American Masculinity: black manhood and resistance.
 Read F. Scott Fitzgerald “Babylon Revisited”
 Read Ernest Hemingway “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”.
Nov. 19th – The Confusion and anxiety of male/female interaction
 Read Faulkner “A Rose for Emily” on p. 994
 Read Steinbeck “The Leader of the People” on p. 1046
Nov. 24th – Turning towards post-modern manhood
Nov. 26th – No class!! Thanksgiving Break.
Dec. 1st –2nd essay due! Watch popular film clips – discussion of the evolution of gender roles in
the modern day.
 Read Newsweek articles (handout given in class)
Dec. 3rd – Review for the Final Exam
Dec. 8th – Final Exam