Instructor: Cameron Golden
Office Hours: M 1:30-3, T 2-3:30
Office: 01E Petty
Phone: x3294 (the best time to call me will be during office hours; otherwise, please e-mail me)
E-mail: cgpass@triad.rr.com

The focus of our class will be on critically evaluating the American Character and how the idea of individualism both defines us and limits us. Our readings will explore this central idea and focus on several aspects of American life: family, citizenship, religion, and politics among others. You will work individually and in groups to master a vocabulary that will allow you to discuss the these ideas and how they are reflected in our culture. In this class, we will discuss the ideals of American Individualism and come to some conclusions about how pervasive this idea is in all of our lives. As a member of this class, you will have a chance during almost every class period to voice your own opinion about the subjects we discuss, in written work and oral presentations, both formally and informally.

This is a speaking intensive course, and students will be able to gain experience in public speaking by articulating their opinions and conclusions to the other members of the class. One of the goals of this class is for students to feel confident in their abilities to argue a point, and you will be given many opportunities to practice argumentation in your writing, and to share these opinions orally with the other members of the class. I do not expect everyone to be an experienced orator, but I do expect that you be willing to venture forth and share your opinions with the class.

Among the goals of this course are for you to feel confident in your ability to formulate opinions in your writing, to back them up with evidence from the texts you are discussing, and finally, to come to meaningful conclusions. You will become more proficient in crafting thesis statements, articulating your ideas for a particular audience, and analyzing the materials that you read. You will also have the opportunity to practice sharing your ideas and opinions with an audience.

Texts: Bellah, Robert. Habits of the Heart.

Handouts from Individualism and Commitment in American Life (on reserve in the library)

Policies: This course cannot succeed without your involvement; regular attendance and participation will be critical to your success in this class. You may miss 3 classes with no penalty, however, after the third absence your grade will begin to drop by one letter grade per missed class. If you miss 6 classes (the equivalent of two weeks of class), you will be dropped from the class.

A few other policies that will help our class run smoother . . .

--Please be on time, lateness is rude and distracting

--I will distribute an attendance sheet at the beginning of each class period; if you do come in late, it will be your responsibility to sign the attendance sheet

--No late papers will be accepted; if you anticipate a problem, please see me in advance

Grades: Your grade will be determined according to the following percentages:

Journal 20%

Papers 30%

Book Club 15%

Final portfolio 20%

Daily Grade (participation, quizzes, in-class writing, declamations, debates) 15%

Journals: Each Monday (unless previously announced), I will ask you to turn in 1½ -2 pages (typed, double-spaced) where you will respond in writing to the readings. This is the place for you to keep track of what you find important or interesting, questions you might have, or topics you would like to discuss in class or in your groups.

Papers: You will have three papers due in this class. They will be due at the beginning of class on the assigned days and no late papers will be accepted (more details on these assignments to come).

Book club presentations: Your group will form a book club, and will read a fiction book (chosen from a list I will provide) and then give a presentation to the rest of the class on the book you have read (more details on this to come).

Final Portfolio: You will need to save all of the written work that you have done in this class, and in lieu of a final exam, I will ask you to turn in a final portfolio which will consist of 15-20 pages of revised, polished written work which you have chosen from your work. We will discuss the final portfolio in much more detail later in the semester.

Participation: This is a speaking-intensive course, therefore active participation on your part is essential. A lack of participation will result in a lower final grade. Often, there will be an activity (which will be previously announced) that I am calling a "declamation," where you will be responsible for making a brief statement to the class about your response to a reading or your opinion on a certain aspect of the subject mattereveryone in the class will be participating in these activities, and they will be evaluated as a component of your final grade.