Students will read closely and write imaginatively about selected authors from the late-nineteenth and twentieth centuries, whose literary contributions have helped develop modern thought. They will also be able to:

Write about different literary genres and theories

Develop an awareness of literary techniques through analysis of theme,

character, and such.

Discover historical, multi-cultural, and philosophical roots of American

writing

Further sharpen writing skills.

Students are required to write and revise two course papers of at least 3 pages each, and take midterm and final exams.

Required Texts

The Heath Anthology of American Literature, Vol. 2. (4th ed.), 2002

Paul Lauter, et al., Eds.

The Farming of Bones (1998). Edwidge Danticat

Tentative Course Reading Schedule

Aug. 20 Introduction

22 Emily Dickinson: Selected poems (Handout)

24 Dickinson continued

27. "The Signifying Monkey," pp. 45-47

31 Spofford continued

Sept. 3 LABOR DAY: NO CLASS

5 John Oskison: "The Problem of Old Harjo," pp. 216-221

10 Charles W. Chesnutt: "Po Sandy," pp. 136-142

12 Chesnutt continued

14. Mark Twain: "The War Prayer," pp. 111-113; FIRST DRAFT

OF FIRST ESSAY DUE

17 Twain continued

19. Stephen Crane: "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky," pp. 520-527

21. Frances Watkins Harper: "A Double Standard," pp. 584-586;

24 Henry James, "Daisy Miller," pp. 280-319

26 James continued

27. Louisa May Alcott: "My Contraband," pp. 679-694; REVISION

Oct. 1 Alcott continued

3 Sarah Winnemucca: "From Life Among the Piutes," pp. 563-573

FALL BREAK

10. Charles Alexander Eastman "The Ghost Dance War," pp. 554-561

15 Robert Frost: "Mending Wall," pp. 1129-1130

17 T. S. Eliot: "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," pp. 1363-1366

19 Eliot/Williams continued

22 Langston Hughes: "The Weary Blues," pp. 1600-1601

24 F. Scott Fitzgerald: "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz, pp. 1431-1457

26. William Faulkner: "Delta Autumn," pp. 1528-1542

31. Gwendolyn Brooks: "the mother," pp. 2286-2287

Nov. 2 Wallace Stevens: "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman," pp. 1513; FIRST

DRAFT OF SECOND ESSAY DUE

12 Flannery OConnor: "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," pp. 2114-2124

16. John Updike: "Separating," pp. 2139-2147

19. Allen Ginsberg: "A Supermarket in California," pp. 2295

26. Joy Harjo: "The Woman Hanging from the Thirteenth Floor Window," pp.

3079-3080; REVISION OF SECOND ESSAY DUE

28 Edwidge Danticat: The Farming of Bones

30 Danticat continued

Dec. 3 Danticat continued

5 Gary Soto: "Braly Street," pp. 3072-3074

10 Morrison continued; Review for final exam

17 FINAL EXAM, 8:00 AM-11:00 AM

Evaluation

The course grade is determined by two, 3-page essays that count for 25% each (50%), a midterm exam that counts for 20%, and a final exam that counts for 30%. All students will prepare a first draft of each paper and revise those that receive less than "C." The final grade will be the highest of all drafts. While the topic of the first paper is assigned, you will select the topic of the second essay, which will be approved. All papers must have a clear thesis that addresses a specific issue such as character, organization, theme, etc.

ALL COURSE WORK MUST BE TURNED IN ON TIME. Late papers are dropped one whole letter grade. Make-up exams are rare, except for medical emergency, for which the student must provide written documentation. Grades are the following: A= 4.00; A-= 3.7; B+= 3.3; B= 3.00; B-= 2.7; C+= 2.3; C= 2.0; C-= 1.7; D+= 1.3; D= 1.0; D-= .7; F= 0; WF= 0

Attendance

Students with more than four unexcused absences will be dropped from the class. Tardiness will not be tolerated, and the classroom door will be closed promptly at 11:00 AM. Please do not disturb the class after this time, except for emergencies.

Office: 111 McIver Bldg.

Office Hours: MW 10-11 AM; 1-2 PM, and by appointment

Phone: 334-5484

E-Mail: shfergus@hamlet.uncg.edu