ENGL 44B
American Literature II

Course Title: American Literature II
Course Number: ENGL 44B
Units/Hours: 3/4
Advisory: ENGL 1A.

Section: 0259
Location: G Hall 2
Days/Times: TTH 1:30-2:45

This survey course covers selected works in American literature from Civil War and Reconstruction to the present. Emphasis is placed on historical background, cultural context, and literary analysis of selected works in Realism, Naturalism, Modernism, the Harlem Renaissance, and the later 20th Century. Upon completion, students should be able to interpret, analyze, and respond to literary works in their historical and cultural contexts. (AA, CSU, UC)

Steven Reynolds

Regarding office hours: The purpose of holding "office hours" is to give students the opportunity to meet with the instructor one-to-one to discuss issues related to the course or related to the college.  If you are on campus, you may just drop in during those times.  If my scheduled office hours do not fit your schedule, please call ahead to arrange an alternate meeting time. 

A student who completes this course should be able to:

• Analyze selections from American literature using a variety of critical approaches, and appreciate the historical and cultural significance of the works.
• Distinguish between works from the various historical periods on the basis of formal literary characteristics, subject matter, and prevailing world views.
• Evaluate the personal impact that literary works from different eras and cultural traditions have on their own values and world views
• Identify and explain diverse cultural customs, values, traditions and lifestyles as revealed through the lives and literatures of diverse people of the United States.
• Use library sources to research topics related to literary works.

1. Text: McMichael, George, et al., eds. Anthology of American Literature: Vol. 2. 9^th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice, 2007.
   ISBN: 0-13-221647-7
2. Text: Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. 5th ed. Boston: Bedford, 2003.   (or any other English handbook)
3. Any collegiate dictionary (paperback is fine)

Private vs. Public Writing: Academic writing is generally public writing; that is, you are expected to share your work with at least one other person. In most classes the other person is an instructor. In this course you will also be sharing your work with your fellow students. Keep this in mind as you choose your topics.

Assignments: All reading should be completed prior to the class date at which it will be discussed. Any writing assignment, including the research paper, should be turned in at the beginning of class on the date the assignment is due. All oral presentations should be made on their assigned dates.

Attendance: Attendance policies are outlined in your COS student handbook. Be aware:

• There are no excused absences.
• If you have to be absent, you should notify the instructor in advance by phone or by email.
• If you do not call or email, your absence will be written down as a "no show."
• Negotiations for make-up work or late work will not be allowed for "no shows."
• If you must be absent, it is your responsibility to find out what lecture/discussion material you have missed.
• After two (2) consecutive missed classes, you may be dropped from the course. 

Dropping the Class: It is the student's responsibility to complete the necessary paperwork for dropping a course. If you drop the course before February 9, no grade should appear on your transcripts. If you drop between February 9 and April 24, you will receive a "W" on your transcripts. If you drop after April 24, you will receive an "F." If you do not complete the paperwork and simply stop showing up for class, you will probably receive an "F."

Deadlines: I adhere closely to the published schedule of assignments. Consequently, no assignment should catch you by surprise, and there should be no reason why any assignment should not be turned in on time. 

Late Work and Make-up Work: Generally, no late work will be accepted, and there will be no make-up work or extra credit work allowed for missed assignments. This policy will be negotiated only in the event of absences due to documented emergencies, and then only if the student has notified the instructor in timely manner.

Summary of Assignments:
Here is a list of the various assignments that you will complete for this class.

• Reading Journal: You should take notes on your reading as you go along through the semester, summarizing what you read and writing down your reactions. (not graded)
• Biography reports: Each student will give at least one 5- to 10-minute lecture—a biographical sketch of one of our authors. This presentation must be accompanied by a typed outline. (credit/no credit for the presentation; letter grade for the outline)
• Short papers: You will write three 1- to 3- page papers about literature or literary criticism: abstracts (a.k.a. summaries), critical responses, or descriptive analyses. (letter grades)
• Exams: You will take two midterms and one final exam. These tests will involve a combination of short answer and essay questions. (percentage grades)
• Term paper: You will write one 7- to 10-page formal essay. This essay will include research and proper documentation of sources. (letter grade)

Evaluation:

Short papers	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	30%
Midterm Exam	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	10%
Biography reports	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	20%
Term Paper	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	20%
Final Exam	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	20%