Bennie J. Brown, instructor

ENGL 2326

Office: OM 113

bbrown@kilgore.edu

ENGL 2326-BBrown 1

ENGL 2326: American Literature

Course Syllabus

ENGL 2326 American Literature (3-3-0)

A survey of American literature from the period of exploration and settlement to the present.

Students will study works of prose, poetry, drama, and fiction in relation to their historical and

cultural contexts. Texts will be selected from among a diverse group of authors for what they

reflect and reveal about the evolving American experience and character.

Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or better in both ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302. F, Sp, Su

(2314025112).

COURSE RATIONALE

This transferable course meets a requirement for Language, Philosophy and Culture, a

component of the core curriculum for every state-supported institution of higher education in

Texas. The course also meets a Language, Philosophy and Culture requirement for the A.A. and

A.S. degrees at Kilgore College.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

Texts: Aaron, Jane E. The Little, Brown Compact Handbook . 7th

edition.

New York: Pearson Longman, 2010. Print.

Perkins, George, and Barbara Perkins, eds. The American Tradition in Literature,

concise ed. 12th

edition. New York: McGraw Hill, 2009. Print.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Identify key ideas, representative authors and works, significant historical or cultural

events, and characteristic perspectives or attitudes expressed in the literature of different

periods or regions.

2. Analyze literary works as expressions of individual or communal values within the

social, political, cultural, or religious contexts of different literary periods.

3. Demonstrate knowledge of the development of characteristic forms or styles of

expression during different historical periods or in different regions.

Bennie J. Brown, instructor

ENGL 2326

Office: OM 113

bbrown@kilgore.edu

ENGL 2326-BBrown 2

4. Articulate the aesthetic principles that guide the scope and variety of works in the arts

and humanities.

5. Write research-based critical papers about the assigned readings in clear and

grammatically correct prose, using various critical approaches to literature.

FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREAS:

How will the objective be How will the objective be

addressed? assessed?

Critical Thinking

Creative thinking Students will develop ideas with

appropriate support and

attribution to compose a

research-based critical paper

analyzing a literary work.

Graded according to a

departmental rubric

Innovation Students will develop an

original idea for a thesis

statement in a research-based

critical paper analyzing a

literary work.

Graded according to a

departmental rubric

Inquiry Students will engage in research

of credible sources in a research-

based critical paper analyzing a

literary work.

Graded according to a

departmental rubric

Analysis of information Students will identify key ideas,

representative authors and

works, significant historical or

cultural events, and

characteristic perspectives or

attitudes, and demonstrate

knowledge of the development

of characteristic forms or styles

of expression in the literature of

different periods or regions.

Common assessments

embedded in exams, which

may include objective and/or

subjective questions to be

developed by the department.

Evaluation of information Students will identify the

aesthetic principals that guide

the scope and variety of literary

works from different periods

and regions.

Common assessments

embedded in exams, which

may include objective and/or

subjective questions to be

developed by the department.

Synthesis of information Students will compose a

research-based critical paper

about assigned readings in clear

and grammatically correct prose,

using various critical approaches

to literature.

Graded according to a

departmental rubric

Communication

Effective development, interpretation

Bennie J. Brown, instructor

ENGL 2326

Office: OM 113

bbrown@kilgore.edu

ENGL 2326-BBrown 3

and expression of ideas through

Written communication Students will compose a

research-based critical paper

about assigned readings in clear

and grammatically correct prose,

using various critical approaches

to literature.

Graded according to a

departmental rubric

Oral communication Students will develop and

present an oral presentation

based on research, analysis,

interpretation, and evaluation of

a literary work or works.

Graded according to a

departmental rubric

Visual communication Students will use visual forms of

enhancement including

utilization of technology in oral

presentations.

Graded according to a

departmental rubric

Social Responsibility

Intercultural competence Students will analyze literary

works as expressions of

individual or communal values

within the social, political,

cultural, or religious contexts of

different literary periods.

Common assessments

embedded in exams, which

may include objective and/or

subjective questions to be

developed by the department.

Personal Responsibility

ability to connect choices, actions and

consequences to ethical decision-

making

Students will maintain academic

integrity by providing

appropriate attribution and by

producing original work on

assignments.

All major essays submitted

to Turnitin.com, a plagiarism

detection service, for

originality assessment

Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis,

evaluation and synthesis of information

Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas

through written, oral and visual communication

Social Responsibility: to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility,

and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities

Personal Responsibility - to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to

ethical decision-making

Disclaimer: As instructor, I reserve the right to amend and/or modify this syllabus as necessary

to promote the best education possible within prevailing conditions affecting this course.

Each semester students will be given an opportunity to evaluate the instructor and the course.

Bennie J. Brown, instructor

ENGL 2326

Office: OM 113

bbrown@kilgore.edu

ENGL 2326-BBrown 4

ADA Statement: Kilgore College is committed to making reasonable accommodations to assist

individuals with disabilities in reaching their academic potential. If you choose to request

accommodations for a documented disability which may impact your performance, attendance, or grades

in this course, you must first register with the Office of Disability Services. Please note that classroom

accommodations cannot be provided prior to your instructor’s receipt of an accommodation letter from

the Office of Disability Services. For more information about accommodations, please contact the

Disability Services office on the second floor of the Devall Student Center: (903) 983-8206.

Instructor’s Office Hours: I welcome students to conference with me by appointment during

office hours. Since conference times vary according to my schedule each semester, office hours

are posted at my office door (OM 113) rather than included in this syllabus.

Schedule of Classes: The course covers the following units which will include major works

from a variety of genres from the Exploration and the Colonies (1492-1791), Reason and

Revolution ((1725-1800), The Romantic Temper (1800-1870), The Humanitarian Sensibility and

the Inevitable Conflict (1800-1870), An Age of Expansion (1865-1910), Realism and Naturalism

(1880-1920), Literary Renaissance (1910-1930), A Literature of Social and Cultural Challenge

(1920-1945), The Second World War and Its Aftermath (1945-1975), A Century Ends and a

New Millennium Begins (1975-present). This course is a chronological study of each of the

periods in terms of their literary, historical, and social contexts, a literary analysis that features

research and documentation (MLA); a team oral presentation based on the written literary

analysis, and a comprehensive final exam.

Attendance: The Kilgore College Catalog states, “Kilgore College requires punctuality and

regular class attendance. An absence is defined as a student not being in class. An instructor may

drop a student when either his lack of attendance prohibits him from meeting the course

objectives or when a student accumulates excessive absences ‘Excessive absences’ is defined as

the equivalent of two weeks instruction in a sixteen-week semester or no more than 12.5 per cent

of the total hours of instruction in any term.”

In this course, when a student misses two weeks of class (four sessions of a MW class, four

sessions of a TT class, six sessions of a MWF class, or two sessions of an evening class), the

student is no longer eligible for enrollment. A student who becomes ineligible for enrollment is

responsible for officially withdrawing from the course. A student who fails to withdraw officially

from the course will receive an F or W at the discretion of the instructor.

Two tardies equal one absence. When a student is tardy, it is his/her responsibility to complete a

tardy form immediately following class on the day of the tardy. Unless the tardy student has

submitted the form requested, an absence will not be changed to a tardy. A student leaving class

before the class is dismissed will be marked absent for that class. Note: A student who is neither

absent nor tardy will earn a major test grade of 100.

Bennie J. Brown, instructor

ENGL 2326

Office: OM 113

bbrown@kilgore.edu

ENGL 2326-BBrown 5

Textbooks: A student who does not have all textbooks by the first class day in Week 3 will be

dismissed from class until he or she obtains the textbooks. A student who does not bring required

textbook(s) to class may be dismissed from class and counted absent for that class meeting.

Course Materials (Handouts): Students will access course materials (handouts) through the

eLearning classroom http://www.eKilgore.com. For efficiency and quick access in class, students

should print and organize these materials in a loose-leaf notebook (with dividers). Students who

do not have course materials when assignments are discussed in class may not understand

assignments and expectations of assignments.

Supplies:

Calendar for keeping up with assignments, appointments, etc. (optional)

Loose-leaf notebook and dividers for organizing handouts from eLearning course

materials

Pocket folder for research materials

8 ½ X 11 typing paper for computer generated assignments

Long/short Scantron test forms for quizzes/major tests

1 yellow and 1 pink highlighter

Red ink pen

3 X 5 note cards (10-15 cards)

4 X 6 note cards (at least 25 cards)

eLearning (not optional): This course has an eLearning component accessed at

http://www.ekilgore.com. Students access eLearning with a user ID and password. In the

eLearning classroom, students access course materials relative to lectures and class discussion,

E-mail relative to this course, discussion forums, some quizzes, etc. Using eLearning is not

optional. Students are encouraged to access this classroom regularly. To login to your eLearning

component, follow these instructions:

1. Go to http://www.ekilgore.com.

2. In upper right corner, click on Login.

3. In right column of Login page, see IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME HERE?

4. Follow instructions to login.

Computer, Software, and Internet Access: This course requires access to a computer, the

Internet, and Microsoft Word® and Microsoft PowerPoint®. Access is available in open

computer labs on both the Kilgore campus and the Longview campus. Note: The student should

not destroy returned papers or delete any word processing file containing papers generated for

this class. It is a good idea to save work both on the hard drive and on a CD or flash drive. Note:

The computers in the open college labs do not allow work to be saved on the hard drives. Before

vacating a lab computer, the student must eject the flash drive or CD to take with him/her.

Working in Teams: Students will work in learning teams in this class. Teams will be created

Bennie J. Brown, instructor

ENGL 2326

Office: OM 113

bbrown@kilgore.edu

ENGL 2326-BBrown 6

during Week 1. Although each student will be a part of a team, only a student's individual grades

and the team oral presentation grades will be recorded in the grade book. Teamwork can enhance

the student's learning by affording him or her opportunity to earn extra credit on some

assignments. Missing class or failing to submit work may affect the team’s presentation grades.

If a student is not participating as a team member (shouldering his/her share of the load), the

team can vote the student off the island at which point the student will work on his/her own to

complete and present individually the assignments required by the team.

Percentage Values for Assignments

ASSIGNMENTS PERCENT

Individual

eLearning “getting started” activities: checking-in, ready to roll, bios 3

Reading Quizzes 12

Major Grades

(Perfect attendance—with no tardies or absences—is an optional major grade of

100)

20

Research Steps 5

Final Draft of Research Paper

This research paper assignment is a required assignment. Failure to turn in a

research paper will result in a grade of “F” in the course regardless of student’s

other grades.

20

Comprehensive Final Examination 20

Team Oral Presentations

Team Oral Presentation 1 5

Team Oral Presentation 2

Team Oral Presentation 2 is a required assignment. Failure to participate in the

final oral presentation will result in a grade of “F” in the course regardless of the

student’s other grades.

15

Total 100

Final Grade in Course: The final grade is composed of the average of the scores received on

the following assignments:

eLearning forum activities, reading quizzes; major test on each unit, research-steps and

researched-based literary analysis (MLA), team oral presentations (80 percent)

Comprehensive final exam (20 percent)

Bennie J. Brown, instructor

ENGL 2326

Office: OM 113

bbrown@kilgore.edu

ENGL 2326-BBrown 7

Grade Scale: 90 – 100% = A; 80 – 89% = B; 70 – 79% = C; 60-69%= D; Below 60% = F

Making up Missed Work: I will administer make-up tests or allow a student make up other

work only if the student is absent on official Kilgore College Business. See “Policy for Making

up Work," Kilgore College Catalog.

Submitting Assignments Written Outside of Class:

1. All written assignments must be computer generated per instructions provided. The

student should not plan to computer generate his/her assignment in the computer lab on

the day that the assignment is due. Writing assignments are due when class convenes.

2. The student will submit each paper as hard copy unless I request that the assignment be

posted in the eLearning assignments area.

Accepting Assignments:

1. I do not accept a late assignment. A late assignment is an assignment that the student

does not submit at the time when I collect the assignment in the classroom or in

eLearning.

2. If a student cannot attend class on the day that is an assignment is due, I will accept the

paper through eLearning E-mail if the student posts the assignment by the time that class

begins or if the student delivers or sends the assignment to me before class begins.

AccessingTurnitin.com: Students must submit all papers/major essays to this plagiarism

detection service. A paper submitted without posting it to <turnitin.com> prior to submission

will receive a zero.

1. Turnitin access information for this class is on the class homepage in eLearning.

2. Students are required to submit each paper to <turnitin.com>.

3. Students are responsible for retrieving the originality report from the <turnitin.com> Web

site, for correcting plagiarism problems prior to submitting your paper, and for submitting

the originality report with the assignment. Students who do not submit the originality

report with an assignment will receive a zero on the assignment.

4. Students should read the KC Academic Honesty Policy carefully and direct questions

about the policy to the instructor.

Leaving the Classroom When Class is in Session: If a student leaves class for any reason other

than for an emergency or with my approval while class is in session, the student cannot return to

class for the remaining portion of the class. When a student leaves class before class is

dismissed, I will count the student absent for that class period.

Eating and Drinking in Classroom: Students must not eat or drink in the classroom.

Bennie J. Brown, instructor

ENGL 2326

Office: OM 113

bbrown@kilgore.edu

ENGL 2326-BBrown 8

Using Cell Phone for Personal Business in Classroom:

1. Prior to entering the classroom, the student must deactivate the ringer or the cell phone

and other electronic equipment and must not wear earphones. A cell phone must not be

visible to the student or to anyone else during class. If the cell phone is visible, I reserve

the right to ask the student to leave class and count him/her absent for that class session.

2. If the student uses a cell phone (makes a call, answers an incoming call, texts, reads/sends

e-mail, or browses the Internet while class is in session, the student must leave class and

cannot return until the next class meeting. I will count the student absent for that class

session.

3. If the student leaves class to make a phone call or to answer a ringing phone, the student

cannot return to class that day.

4. When a student leaves class to use a cell phone, I will count the student absent for class

that class period.

5. If a student is expecting an emergency phone call, the student should ask his/her party to

contact the Kilgore College Police Department, which, in turn, will contact the student in

class.

Exception: With instructor’s approval, a student can use his/her cell phone in class to

browse the Internet for class-related information.

Using Other Electronic Equipment in Class:

1. A student using a laptop computer, iPad, or telephone must use these devices only to

access information relative to information discussed or taught (with instructor’s

approval).

2. A student using a laptop computer, iPad, or telephone to access information not relative

to information discussed or taught must leave class and will be counted absent for that

class.

Kilgore College Statement on Academic Honesty: Kilgore College expects students to do their

own work. The department will not tolerate academic dishonesty, including plagiarism

(submitting someone else’s work as your own). The following information concerning academic

dishonesty is taken from the Kilgore College Student Success Guide (Handbook):

Misconduct for which students are subject to discipline falls into the following categories:

A. Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:

1. Academic dishonesty including but not limited to cheating and plagiarism.

a. The term “cheating” includes, but is not limited to (1) acquiring information for

specifically assigned projects, working with one or more persons on an exam that is to

be taken as an individual, or observing work from another individual’s exam; (2)

providing information on an exam that is to be done individually or giving out the

exam or content prior to the exam time.

Bennie J. Brown, instructor

ENGL 2326

Office: OM 113

bbrown@kilgore.edu

ENGL 2326-BBrown 9

b. The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to (1) failing to credit sources used

in a work product in an attempt to pass off the work as one’s own; (2) attempting to

receive credit for work performed by another, including papers obtained in whole or in

part from individuals or from other sources, including the Internet.

c. [Misconduct also includes] conspiracy to commit an act of academic dishonesty.

Student Disciplinary Procedures. Matters of Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty

matters may first be considered by the faculty member who may recommend penalties such as

withdrawal from the course, failing the course, reduction or changing of a grade in the course, a

test, assignment, or in other academic work; denial of a degree and/or performing additional

academic work not required by other students in the course. Acceptance of the faculty member’s

recommended penalties by the student shall make the penalties final and constitutes a waiver of

further administrative procedures. If the student does not accept the decision of the faculty

member, he/she may have the case heard by the appropriate department chair, dean and Vice

President of Instruction for review. If the student is ultimately found not to have been involved

in academic dishonesty, the instructor shall not base his/her evaluation of the student on the

alleged but unproven dishonesty. If the student is ultimately found to have violated matters of

academic dishonesty, the appropriate disciplinary sanction shall be implemented. Any student

who believes that a grade has been inequitably awarded should refer to the academic grade

change procedures.

Kilgore College Policy for Civility in the Classroom: “Students are expected to assist in

maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. Inappropriate or distractive

classroom behavior is prohibited in order to assure that everyone has opportunity to gain from

time spent in class. Should a disruptive classroom incident occur, the faculty member in charge

may remove the student on either a temporary or permanent basis. Students have the right to

appeal through appropriate channels.” Kilgore College Catalog.

Instructor Note: In addition to obvious examples of “inappropriate or distractive

behavior,” placing one’s head on the desk is considered “inappropriate or distractive

behavior.” I will dismiss from class a student placing his/her head on the desk and will

count the student absent for that class meeting.

Kilgore College Policy Regarding Guests in Class: Visitors should not be allowed in class on

a continuing basis unless they are on the class roll as a registered student or registered as an

audit student. Certain exceptions are listed below:

1. Persons who are assigned to a student by the Counselor of Special Populations for the

purpose of providing education services for that student in the classroom

2. A duly registered student who withdraws from the course but is granted permission by

the instructor to continue attending per the student’s request

Bennie J. Brown, instructor

ENGL 2326

Office: OM 113

bbrown@kilgore.edu

ENGL 2326-BBrown 10

3. Persons who have received written permission from the appropriate dean for extenuating

circumstances

Instructors are responsible for providing a quality instructional environment that facilitates the

best possible education for students. Faculty members should generally not allow a student’s

guests or family members to visit classes. Instructors may, at their discretion, allow a child of a

student to attend class for one meeting if, in the instructor’s opinion, circumstances warrant such

a decision. However, a child should not be allowed to attend on a continuing basis. If children

are present for scheduled learning activities, the parent or guardian remains responsible for the

well-being of the child. Children should not be left unattended or unsupervised on campus.