English 254: WI & CD

Dr. Susanne George Bloomfield

Spring 2005

 

English 254: WI & CD

The Literature of Nebraska Writers

 

1. Course Description

The Literature of Nebraska Writers will examine the texts of Nebraska writers from the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries. The class will focus on the distinctive features of the various authors and time periods represented in these works, a comparison of their themes, symbols, characterizations, styles, narrative techniques, and cultural significance, as well as their place in the American literary tradition.  The class will also examine the conflicting relationships between American settlers, immigrants, and Native Americans as well as with nature and the land.

 

2. Course Objectives

The educational goals of this course are to help students:

   1) appreciate the importance of our Nebraska literary heritage;

   2) discover writers not often covered in traditional canon-oriented survey courses;

   3) identify and compare the major themes, symbols, concerns and techniques of culturally diverse American writers;

   4) promote an understanding of the sense of place, a repeated theme in Nebraska literature;

   5) increase their knowledge of the individual, family, and community values portrayed in Nebraska literatures;

   6) view American literature in a more diverse context;

   7) improve critical reading and oral communication skills;

   8) improve research and critical writing skills;

   9) become an integral part of a community of scholars who share their insights, resources, and special abilities.

 

3. Course Requirements

The following books will be required reading for this course:

            From the Deep Woods to Civilization by Charles Eastman

            Bead on an Anthill by Delphine Red Shirt

            My Antonia by Willa Cather

            A Different Plain Ed. Ladette Randolph

            Plainsong by Kent Haruf

            Goodnight Nebraska by Tom McNeal

           

4. Grading Criteria

Students will have the option of contracting for the grade they wish to work toward from the following assignments. The higher grades will require substantially more writing and revising. A Student may opt to take the course Pass/Fail and contract for the Grade C option.

 

READING, DAILY QUIZZES, & READING RESPONSES

            Each student will be expected to read the assigned pages for each session. In order to stimulate class discussion and to ensure that the assignment has been thoughtfully read, a short-answer essay quiz will be given at the beginning of each class period.

            For each of the six books read, students will write a 500-750 word response to text. It must be typed, and the number of words counted and included at the bottom of the page. The professor will supply a suggested list of theses. Students will respond to the texts using the critical approaches (formalistic, historical, sociological, biographical, archetypal, and reader-response) presented at the beginning of the semester, using quotes from the text as support. Use the "Sandwich" technique: (Step 1: Set up quote giving background information; Step 2: Quote; Step 3: Explain how quotation supports the idea under discussion) and include page numbers.

           

CRITICAL PAPER OVER THE ASSIGNED READING

    Students will be required to write one paper critically analyzing or comparing the literary works being studied in class. The number of pages and outside sources required will be determined by the grade for which the student chooses to work. The paper may be completed at any time before the final due date.

       All theses must be approved by the professor before the student begins to write, and students are strongly encouraged to consult with the professor and to submit rough drafts for revision suggestions.

       The paper must be submitted in 12 pt. Courier according to MLA format with the number of words typed at the end. Proper structure, style, and grammar will be taken into consideration in assigning a grade. The final paper and ALL rough drafts must be included in a two-pocket folder when submitted for grading.

 

OUTSIDE BOOK REVIEW

       Students opting for an “A” will read one additional full-length book from the reading list, or one approved by the professor, and write a critical Outside Book Review following the required format.  It will be due near the end of the semester, although students are encouraged to be working on it during the semester and may submit it at any time.

 

MOVIE REVIEW

       Students opting for an “A” or “B” will view one film from the movie list, write a critical Movie Review following the required format, and present a short panel discussion to the class. These will be due according to the assigned schedule.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

Students will choose the assignments they will complete from the list below to earn the following grades:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grade of A

• Complete All Reading Assignments

• Pass all Daily Quizzes or makeup failing or missing responses

• Write a 2-3 page Reading Response to each of the 6 texts

• Write a 10-12 page Critical Analysis of one of the texts we read and discussed in class, using at least three outside research sources (in addition to the literary texts) for support (minimum 2,500 words). Paper must be revised to "A" quality:

1) Creative or original thesis should have a focused subject and a clear "attitude" or "argument."

2) Thesis must be well-supported by literary text and/or critical research and personal analysis; quotations should be correctly and appropriately employed; discussion should be unified and show depth and complexity of thought.

3) Paper must be effectively organized with a thought-provoking introduction and conclusion.

4) Style should evidence mature, non-clichιd vocabulary, complex and correct sentences, and smooth transitions.

5) Grammar and punctuation must be correct with only a few minor flaws.

• A 6 page Outside Book Review of a work not studied in class, following the required format (minimum 1,500 words). Paper must be revised to "A" quality:

1) Each section must adhere approximately to the assigned number of words

2) Each section must address the topic specifically, using quotations from the texts and personal analysis for support.

3) In addition to the content and quality of critical thinking in the Book Analysis itself, grammar, style, punctuation, and correct form must also be correct.

• A 6 page Movie Review and panel discussion following required format (minimum 1,500 words). Paper must be revised to "A" quality:

1) Each section must adhere approximately to the assigned number of words

2) Each section must address the topic specifically, researching movie reviews and using quotations from critics or the movie itself for support.

3) In addition to the content and quality of critical thinking in the Movie Review itself, grammar, style, punctuation, and form must also be correct.

                       

Grade of B

• Complete All Reading Assignments

• May miss or fail three Daily Quizzes

• Write a 2-3 page Reading Response to each of the 6 texts

• Write a 8-10 page Critical Analysis of one of the texts we are reading and discussing in class using two outside research sources(in addition to the literary texts) for support (minimum 2,000 words). Paper must be revised to "B" quality:

1) Thesis must have a focused subject and a clear "attitude" or "argument"

2) Thesis should be well-developed by literary text and/or critical research and personal analysis; quotations should be correctly and appropriately employed; discussion should be unified and show some depth and complexity of thought.

3) Paper must be effectively organized with adequate introduction and conclusion.

4) Style, vocabulary, and sentences must be correct; transitions may be sometimes mechanical.

                        5) Some minor grammar and punctuation flaws are allowed.

• A 6 page Movie Review and panel discussion following required format (minimum 1,500 words). Paper must be revised to "A" quality:

1) Each section must adhere approximately to the assigned number of words

2) Each section must address the topic specifically, researching movie reviews and using quotations from critics or the movie itself for support.

3) In addition to the content and quality of critical thinking in the Movie Review itself, grammar, style, punctuation, and form must also be correct.

 

Grade of C

• Complete All Reading Assignments

• May miss or fail five Daily Quizzes

• Write a 2-3 page Reading Response to each of the 6 texts

• Write a 6-8 page Critical Analysis of one of the texts we are reading and discussing in class; no outside research is necessary (Minimum 1,500 words). Students may use this option to take the class CREDIT/NO CREDIT. Paper must be revised to "C" quality:

1) Thesis may be a bit conventional or broad, but it must be clear and well-stated.

2) Thesis should be supported by literary text, but some errors in employing quotations effectively are allowed; discussion may be occasionally repetitive or general.

3) Paper must be adequately organized although transitions, introduction, and conclusion might be sometimes mechanical

4) Style should be competent with occasional awkward or confusing sentences allowed.

5) More serious grammar and punctuation errors may appear occasionally, such as incomplete or run-on sentences, pronoun agreement, and verb tense errors and shifts.

 

ATTENDANCE

            Attendance is important. After TWO ABSENCES, grades WILL be lowered accordingly, usually at 1/3 of a grade increments for each additional absence. (A=A-, A-=B+, B+=B, etc.). Only under exceptional circumstances will modifications be made. Six absences (three weeks) are grounds for failing the course.

My office is 204 Thomas Hall, and this semester my office hours will be from 12:30-2:00 T-TH. If you cannot meet with me during this time period, I will be happy to make special arrangements.  My office telephone number is 865-8867; my office e-mail is bloomfields@unk.edu. My Home Page address as well as the class home page is at

www.unk.edu/acad/english/faculty/bloomfields