For Whom Planned:
Topics in British & American Literature is a three credit hour course that
meets the Literature requirement of the General Education Curriculum.
Catalog Description:
Variable topics. Offerings may include Southern Writers, The Mystery Novel,
Women Writers, The Imperial Imagination, and Grail Literature. (Alt Year).
Section Description: The Vietnam War in American Literature.
The Vietnam War spanned 25 years, engaged over 3 million American military,
and killed an estimated 2.5 million people from both sides. In this class,
we will read and discuss 5 literary texts that that the Vietnam War as their
subject. As we read these works, we will look at how each of the writers
represents the war through plot, character development, and theme.
Student Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
•
Identify and understand narrative voice, character development, and the importance
of place;
•
Apply techniques of literary analysis to texts;
•
Read and write with improved fluency;
•
Demonstrate understanding of the diverse social and historical contexts in
which literary texts have been written and interpreted
Required Texts:
Fields of Fire, James Webb, 1978
The 13th Valley, John Del Vecchio, 1982
A Rumor of War, Philip Caputo, 1977
The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien, 1990
In Country, Bobbie Ann Mason, 1985
Teaching Strategies:
Class discussion will play an important role in each class. I will rarely lecture;
students should always come to class ready to engage in active, lively & careful
discussion of the day’s reading assignment.
Evaluation Methods & Guidelines for Assignments:
Students will be responsible for the following:
Daily Reading Quizzes* 30%
Reading Response Journal 30%
Paper 20%
Final Exam 20%
Please note that failure to submit any of the assignments will result in failing
the course
*The purpose of the daily reading quiz is to insure that each student has completed
the reading assignment and is therefore capable of thoughtful discussion for
that class period. For this reason, I will not allow students to make-up quizzes
or complete late. To allow for reasonable absences, I will drop the 4 lowest
quiz scores when tallying final grades.
Academic Integrity Policy
I expect all students to act in accordance with the UNCG Academic Integrity
Policy. If you are unfamiliar with this policy, you can review its contents
at: http://saf.dept.uncg.edu/studiscp/Honor.html
Attendance Policy
A discussion is only as good as the people taking part in it; if you aren’t
in class ready to discuss the day’s reading, you aren’t meeting
your basic responsibility to yourself or to this class. Any missed classes
detract from your learning. Should you miss more than 6 class periods for any
reason, you will fail the course. If you think this attendance policy will
be difficult for you to meet, I seriously urge you to carefully consider your
continued enrolment in the course.
Daily Schedule:
Tue Aug 16 Introductions
Thu Aug 18 Fields of Fire 1-73
Tue Aug 23 Fields of Fire 73-125
Thu Aug 25 Fields of Fire 125-193
Tue Aug 30 Fields of Fire 193-256
Thu Sept 26 Fields of Fire 256-323
Tue Sept 31 Fields of Fire 324-383
Thu Sept 1 Fields of Fire 383-452
Tue Sept 6 The 13th Valley 1-70
Thu Sept 8 The 13th Valley 71-151
Reading Response Journal Due
Tue Sept 13 The 13th Valley 152-213
Thu Sept 15 The 13th Valley 216-277
Tue Sept 20 The 13th Valley 278-340
Thu Sept 22 The 13th Valley 340-413
Tue Sept 27 The 13th Valley 413-473
Thu Sept 29 The 13th Valley 476-543
Tue Oct 4 The 13th Valley 546-589
Thu Oct 6 No Class
Tue Oct 11 Fall Break
Thu Oct 13 A Rumor of War xiii-58
Tue Oct 18 A Rumor of War 59-131
Thu Oct 20 A Rumor of War 132-190
Reading Response Journal Due
Tue Oct 25 A Rumor of War 191-248
Thu Oct 27 A Rumor of War 249-306
Tue Nov 1 A Rumor of War 307-356
Paper Due
Thu Nov 3 The Things They Carried 1-66
Tue Nov 8 The Things They Carried 67-130
Thu Nov 10 The Things They Carried 131-188
Tue Nov 15 The Things They Carried 189-246
Thu Nov 17 In Country 1-65
Tue Nov 22 In Country 65-129
Thu Nov 24 Thanksgiving
Tue Nov 29 In Country 129-201
Thu Dec 1 In Country 201-245
Reading Response Journal Due
Thu Dec 8 8:00am -11:00am, Final Exam