English 254: CD & WI
Literature of the American West
Dr. Susanne George Bloomfield
Fall 2000
Literature of the American West:
Cowboys and Indians
1. Course Description
The "western" novel is central to American literature and popular American culture. Beginning with the earliest Indian captivity narratives, American readers have thrilled to stories of the new frontier: settlers arming themselves against Indians; Indians defending their lands and lifestyles; outlaws battling lawmen; marshals trying to establish order; cattlemen fighting sheepmen and farmers; and the Sioux attacking the Pawnee. Today, although the isolated prairies have been criss-crossed by Interstate highways and four-wheel drive pickups have replaced horses, conflicts persist, some altered while others remain the same.
The evolution of the "western" has influenced American beliefs, identity, and even American literature and culture. Entertaining as these narratives are, they have larger implications, especially pertaining to the myths, legends, and stereotypes that we accept today. A comparative look at the Old West and the New West will help students understand our historical, cultural, and literary heritages as well as the changes we have experienced as a society.
2. Course Objectives
The educational goals of this course are to help students:
1) appreciate the important western heritage that has shaped the lives of those living in the West, including traditional and non-traditional literatures as well as works by women and culturally diverse groups;
2) discover writers not often covered in traditional canon-oriented survey courses
3) identify interconnected themes, symbols, and concerns of Western American writers;
4) understand the myths and stereotypes that dominate our culture;
5) view American history in a more personalized, multicultural context;
6) improve critical reading and writing skills;
7) improve communication skills through class discussion.
3. Course Requirements
The following books will be required reading for this course:
The Captive by Mary Rowlandson
American Indian Stories by Zitkala Sa
Shane by Jack Schaefer
The Man Who Killed the Deer by Frank Waters
The Ox-Bow Incident by Walter Van Tilburg Clark
Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson
4. Grading Criteria
Students will have the option of choosing the grade they wish to work toward from the following assignments. All assignments will fulfill the Writing Intensive requirements; however, the higher grades require substantially more writing and revising.
READING & READING RESPONSE
Each student will be expected to read the assigned pages for each class session. In order to stimulate class discussion and to ensure that the assignment has been thoughtfully read, students will write a critical response to the reading assignment. It must be typed, and the number of words counted and included at the bottom of the page. Responses will be collected each class period.
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; however, students should not rely on the personal reader-response approach for all of their assignments. Choose one idea, one scene, one theme, or one quote and discuss it in depth, using quotes from the text as support. Use the "Waltz" technique using the "Waltz" 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 ANALYSIS
Student 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.
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. Former student essays to consult as models will be in the "Bloomfield" Reserve file at the front desk of the library.
The paper must be submitted according to MLA format with the number of words typed at the bottom. 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.
BOOK ANALYSIS
Students will read one full-length book from the reading list, or one approved by the professor, and write a critical Book Analysis 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. Former student book analyses to consult as models will be in the "Bloomfield" Reserve file at the front desk of the library.
MOVIE ANALYSIS
Students will view one film from the movie list, write a critical Movie Analysisfollowing the required format, and present a short panel discussion to the class. These will be due according to the assigned schedule. Former student movie reviews to consult as models will be in the "Bloomfield: English 254" Reserve file at the front desk of the library.
GRADING CRITERIA:
Students will choose the assignments they will complete from the list below to earn to earn the following grades:
Grade of A (11,250 words minimum)
• All daily Reading Assignments
• 1 page daily Reading Responses of 250 words (@23 = 5,750 words)
• A 8-10 page Critical Analysis using at least three outside research sources 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-clichéd vocabulary, complex and correct sentences, and smooth transitions.
5) Grammar and punctuation must be correct with only a few minor flaws.
• A 6-8 page Book Analysis of a text not studied in class 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, 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 6-8 page Movie Review following required format and panel discussion (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 (8,750 words minimum)
• All daily Reading Assignments
• 1 page daily Reading Responses of 250 words (@23 = 5,750 words).
• A 6-8 page Critical Analysis using two outside research sources for support (minimum 1,500 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 6-8 page Movie Analysis (minimum 1,500 words)following required format and panel discussion. Paper must be revised to "B" 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 Analysis itself, grammar, style, punctuation, and correct form will also be considered.
Grade of C (6,750 words minimum)
• All Weekly Reading Assignments
• 1 page daily Reading Responses of 250 words (@23 = 5,750 words).
• 4-6 page Critical Analysis; no outside research necessary (Minimum 1,000 words). 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.
Grade of D (6,000 words minimum)
• All Weekly Reading Assignments
• Weekly Reading Responses of 350 words (6,000 words)
* * * * * * *
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.
My office is 204 Thomas Hall and this semester my office hours will be from 11:00-12:30 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.English 254: CD & WI
Literature of the American West
Dr. Susanne George Bloomfield
Fall 2000
SYLLABUS
Literature of the American West:
Cowboys and Indians
8/22 Requirements and Expectations
Class Overview; Critical Analysis of Literature
8/24 Myths and Stereotypes of the American West
8/29 The Captive (pp. 1-30)
8/31 The Captive (pp. 30-60)
9/5 American Indian Stories (pp. v-45)
9/7 American Indian Stories (pp. 47-125)
9/12 American Indian Stories (pp. 127-195)
Squanto: A Warrior's Tale Movie Analysis and Panel
9/14 Shane (pp. )
9/19 Shane (pp. )
9/21 Shane (pp. )
Shane Movie Analysis and Panel
9/26 The Man Who Killed the Deer (pp.1-50)
9/28 The Man Who Killed the Deer (pp.50-97)
10/3 The Man Who Killed the Deer (pp.98-151)
10/5 The Man Who Killed the Deer (pp.151-217)
Dances with Wolves Movie Analysis and Panel
10/10 Ox-Bow Incident (pp. )
10/12 Ox-Bow Incident (pp. )
10/17 No Class: Fall Break
10/19 Ox-Bow Incident (pp. )
10/24 Ox-Bow Incident (pp. )
Ox-Bow Incident Movie Analysis and Panel
10/26 No Class: WLA Conference: Read Ceremony (pp.1-54)
10/31 Ceremony (pp.55-106)
11/2 Ceremony (pp.107-160 )
Hand in typed copy of Tentative Thesis
11/7 Ceremony (pp.161-213)
11/9 Ceremony (pp.214-262)
Thunderheart Movie Anaysis and Panel
11/14 Housekeeping (pp.1-59)
11/16 Housekeeping (pp.60-108)
11/21 Collaborating Workshop
Rough Drafts of Final Paper due
11/23 No Class: Thanksgiving Recess
11/28 Housekeeping (pp.108-175)
Housekeeping Movie Analysis and Panel
11/30 Housekeeping (pp.176-219)
***Final Paper due
12/5
***Final paper returned for revision
***Book Analysis due
12/7
***Book Analysis returned for revision
Finals Week:
12/14 at 10:30: Dr. Bloomfield's office TH 204
Revision of Final Paper Due
Revision of Book Analysis Due