English 1001 Syllabus |
This class will provide students with an introduction to some of the most influential authors in the American literary tradition. As it acquaints students with these authors, it will also acquaint them with the differences between genres of literature and how we can approach them critically. We will begin with the difference between poetry and prose, and then proceed to examine more subtle distinctions within each of these categories. With the exception of "Billy Budd, Sailor" by Herman Melville, the texts in this class are from the latter half of the twentieth century. This is a time of remarkable literary accomplishment, but also a time that has seen the steady of polarization of the literary audience between the high brow and the popular. This class will address this polarization through careful attention to poetry written in this time period, because poetry is the genre that has suffered the most from these changes. Along with the novels and David Henry Hwang's drama, these poems form an important contribution to our current understanding of the American experience from a variety of cultural and historical points of view. Furthermore, they remind us of the power lying within language that can emerge through determined contemplation of its possibilities. Course ObjectivesOver the semester, I expect students to achieve the following goals:
To reach these goals, students will need to do the following:
Course Requirements
Additional NotesYour grade will depend primarily on your written work and the understanding of the material that you convey through that work. A command of standard written English and the ability to present an argument will also contribute to the determination of your grade. Any infractions against UMD's Scholastic Dishonesty provisions in the Student Conduct Code as stated in the UMD catalogue will receive serious attention and appropriate penalties. Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might influence their ability to perform in this class, are encouraged to inform me at the start of the semester. I can make special adaptations of teaching methods, assignments, materials, or testing as required to provide for equitable participation in the course. The Access Center is also available to assist students with disabilities. It is located in 138 Kirby Plaza and on the web at <http://www.d.umn.edu/access/>. Assigned readingsErdrich, Louise. Love Medicine. New York: HarperCollins, 1993. Hwang, David Henry. M. Butterfly. New York: Plume, 1989. McClatchy, J. D., ed. The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Poetry. New York: Vintage, 1990. Melville, Herman. Billy Budd Sailor and Other Stories. New York: Penguin, 1986. Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. New York: Simon & Shuster, 1982. |
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John D. Schwetman 3 September 2001 |