Perspectives in American Literature

Course: Eng 233: Perspectives in American Literature

Professor: Dr. Linda J. Holland-Toll
Semester: Fall, 2019
Location: Henderson 111
Time: 2:00 -3:20, T/TH
E-mail: lholland-toll@umo.edu
Office Phone: 658-7845/1036
Office: Henderson 107-A
Office Hours: T/TTH: 9:30-12:30
Department Chair: Dr. Keely Byars-Nichols (kbyars-nichols@umo.edu)
Dean: Dr. Burt Lewis blewis@umo.edu
Course Description:
This course is a survey of American Literature across various time periods and genres. Students will examine works in
poetry, drama, and fiction and discuss genres, poetics, and themes as examples of cross-cultural dialogue. This course
requires at least two 3-5 page formal, analytical essays, and weekly written responses.
We will examine American literature from the first encounters through the twenty-first century, the student’s patience
and the instructor's tenacity permitting. Both like and unlike Crèvecoeur, we will be asking ourselves “What, then, is
American Literature, this new literature?” How does it to connect to us and our lives today? Why should I care?
3 semester hours
Course Prerequisite: A passing grade in English 112.

Textbooks:
Baym, et al, Eds. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Vols. 1 & 2, Shorter 8th edition
(978—0-393-91888-5)

Student Learning Outcomes and Means of Assessment:

Student Learning Outcomes Means of Assessment

Upon successful completion of this course, a student will:
1. Learn to respect the diversity of thought through
classroom discussion.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of American Literature
from its beginnings through the Civil War, including
various genres, diverse authors and periods, and relevant
terminology.
3. Develop an understanding of the importance of critical
reading and thinking, recognizing the many possible
interpretations of literature.
4. Identify historical, cultural, and biographical contexts for
selected literary texts and apply them interpretively to
assigned reading.
5. Write clearly and effectively in Standard Written
English.
This outcome will be indicated by student ability to:
1. Participate successfully in productive, meaningful, and
regular classroom discussion.
2. Produce responses and essays as well as pass quizzes and
exams that demonstrate adequate knowledge of subject
content, genres, literary periods and terminology.
3. Produce well-crafted and critically effective
essays/response papers that engage in complex questions
and arrive at complex answers about the content of the
primary texts.
4. Produce well-crafted and critically effective
essays/response papers that identify historical, cultural, and
biographical contexts for selected literary texts and apply
them interpretively to assigned reading.
5. Produce essays that comply with conventions of
Standard Written English, including demonstration of
rhetorical situation.
 GER SLO’s GER MOA’s
Identify historical, cultural, and biographical contexts for
selected Students will demonstrate well-crafted essays with
literary texts and apply them interpretively to assigned academic research
reading

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Teaching Expectations, or What I Expect From You:

Questions on lecture content, the readings, etc. will always be encouraged; indeed, questions will be actively
sought. Please do not hesitate to ask questions in class; that is one of the reasons I am here. If you need further
information, please feel free to drop by my office or call me at home; if I am not home, leave a message, and I will return
your call. I check my email twice a day and will return all messages promptly. Participation is extremely important. This
is your opportunity to ask questions, discuss ideas and employ critical thinking. You are strongly advised to come to
class prepared. Although this may seem an obvious point to you by this time, being prepared means more than being
in your seat. I expect students to read the material in advance, make reading notes, formulate questions, viewpoints
and opinions and actively participate in whatever topic on that particular work is discussed. Because of the
amount of reading required, the brief time allotted for these readings, and the complexity of the reading material,
you are strongly urged to attend and participate in every single solitary class.

Changes to Syllabus:
The Instructor reserves the right to adjust or alter the syllabus; changes will always be posted on Moodle.

Reading Assignments:
A reading assignment is due, unless otherwise noted, on the class session following the reading assignment.
Readings, for example, assigned on August 27 will be discussed August 29 .
Please note that all authorial head notes and introductions, whether listed under Reading
Assignments or not, are required reading

Writing Assignments: Three 750 -1000 word essays, exploring a topic or text of particular interest to you. These
papers should examine a question, image, argument, contradiction, or connection that catches your attention. Two
research sources, not including the text itself, will be required when noted on the assignment sheet. These papers are
exercises in critical thinking. They should do substantially more than discuss why you like or do not like a
Please note that the writing topics, a Research and Citation Guide, A Writer’s Dozen and Tips on Writing will be
available on Moodle. MLA will be the required citation style.

I use the following criteria for grading:

Content 50%,
Research 20%,
Organization & support 20%,
Formatting/mechanics 10%

Please also note that I do not edit or proofread papers. While mechanical errors will be noted, the comments will be
more concerned with content and rhetorical effectiveness. Any paper which does not fulfill the assignment requirements
will be returned with a “0.” I will accept one revision for essays 1 and 2. Revisions are due within one week (7 days) of
the paper’s return. Assignments are due on the scheduled date; no late papers will be accepted unless you have
contacted me before the due date and I have agreed to accept it late.
STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT PAPERS THROUGH MOODLE OR EMAIL
Quizzes:
While I abominate making up quizzes, giving quizzes, grading quizzes, recording quizzes, and tabulating said quizzes into
your grade, I shall, nevertheless, ruthlessly and mercilessly administer quizzes unless the class as a whole participates in
the readings. For pedagogical purposes, I will quiz the entire class for the first several weeks of the semester.
Ask yourself this: Who knows what Evil lurks in the hearts and minds of students?*

Evaluation/Grading Policy: 25% participation/quizzes, 75% Papers,. The grades will be set on a 1000 point scale.
The 1000 point scale is as follows:

Number Letter GPA Number Letter GPA Number Letter GPA

1000-930 A 4.0 869-830 B 3.0 769-700 C 2.0
929-900 A- 3.7 829-800 B- 2.7 699-600 D 1.0
899-870 B+ 3.3 799-770 C+ 2.3 599-below F 0.

Failure to follow essay requirements will result in a “0” on the assignment.

I NEVER NEVER NEVER curve the grading scale.

I never ever accept extra credit.

Attendance policy:
Excessive absences will result in student failure. More than 6 unexcused absences will be considered excessive. Three
tardies will equal one absence; the instructor is not responsible for changing absent to tardy. If you come in late,
i. e., after I have called your name, it is your responsibility to email me and note that you were present.
I reserve the right to implement this policy on a case-by-case basis. In other words, do not hesitate to contact me
should an emergency or an illness disrupt your life, so that we can make arrangements to keep your status in the
class on the passing side. The last day to drop is October 11th , 2019.

Student Petition for an Incomplete Grade

A grade of incomplete maybe granted at the student’s request and the instructor’s discretion.

Accommodations and Student Accessibility

 "In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, no
qualified person will be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the
University of Mount Olive because of disability. The University of Mount Olive affords all students with disabilities a
learning environment that provides access to reasonable accommodations for their disabilities.  If you believe you have a
disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Student Accessibility at (919) 658-7497, or visit Henderson 100,
the Student Accessibility email or visit the Student Accessibility webpage for assistance.”

Academic Honesty Policy:

Plagiarism Policy:
Simply stated, plagiarism is the theft of another person’s words or ideas. It is a dishonest, immoral and
unethical attempt to claim someone else’s work as your own. I consider plagiarism the most heinous of academic
offenses, so be warned: Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. Any and all instances of plagiarism will receive
three penalties:
 A plagiarized paper will receive a grade of “0”;
 A student may receive a grade of “F” for the course;
 The plagiarized work will be sent to the Vice-President of Academic Affairs for further action by the
Academic Integrity and Appeals Committee
 No revisions whatsoever will allowed in cases of plagiarism. No exceptions will be granted to this rule.

Cheating Policy
Unless otherwise stated by the professor, no group or collaborative work will be allowed. Students are expected to do their
own work. Unless clearly sited, no outside sources may be used on any work assigned outside of class. Violation of this
policy will result in the action appropriate for academic dishonesty.

Inclement Weather:
In case of inclement weather/class cancellations, we will cover participation on the assigned material via
Moodle forums.
All students will be required to fill out a Course Policy/Plagiarism Acknowledgement Form. Failure to do so by the
assignment date will result in a drop.

Academic Resource Center (ARC) 

The ARC provides resources for teaching and learning at UMO.  The ARC supports student learning in
a variety of ways:  Supplemental Instruction (SI) for targeted courses, Learning Accountability Program (LAP)
for structured learning, applied study skills, and personal organization; assessments for math, language arts, and
reading comprehension skills with personalized remediation program;  individual counseling for academic
success; and peer tutoring, both seated and virtual, for all locations.  The ARC is located on the main Mount
Olive campus in Moye Library.  Students desiring assistance may contact the ARC at arc@umo.edu. 

Email and Moodle Communication:

The only acceptable form of e-mail communication for students will be the UMO email account. Students may
expect messages from the instructor on both this account and the Moodle News Forum. Not checking your UMO e-mail
account or the Moodle News Forum is not an acceptable excuse for missing messages.

Electronic Interruptions:
Disruptive activities in the classroom will not be tolerated. Cell phones, etc. must be turned off during class to avoid
disrupting the class. No texting will be permitted during class time. Lap-top computers may be used for classroom
activities only (Yes, this means no social networking during class time). Confiscation and seizure of private property, not
to mention dismissal from the course, may well be a consequence!

Academic Concerns and Questions

Any and all questions, comments and complaints must be addressed to your professor first. Your professor’s contact
information is at the top of the University of Mount Olive Course Syllabus. In the event that you and your professor cannot
resolve the issue, the next step is to contact the Division Chair. Contact Information may be found at the top of the Syllabus.
*Dr. Holland-Toll does.
 Schedule of Assignments,
Perspectives in American Literature
WEEK #1
August 27
Lecture: Introduction to Class and syllabus; Discovery vs. Encounter/ “Indians” vs. Europeans/
Trickster Tales
Reading Assignment:
Gustafson: Introduction: pp. 3-29
“First Encounters: p. 36-38
John Smith: From A Description of New England pp. 69-72
Chrestien le Clerq: “A Mic-Mac Responds to the French” (Moodle)
Humishuma/Mourning Dove: “Owlwoman and Coyote,”(Moodle)
David Cusick (Trans):“The Iroquois Creation Story,” pp. 66
The Bible: Genesis: 1:1-3:24 (any Bible)
From: The Winnebago Trickster Cycle p. 36 - 8
August 29
Lecture: The Reformation/ The Pilgrims vs. The Puritans/
Discussion: Smith, etc.
Reading Assignment:
William Bradford: Of Plymouth Plantation
Book I: Chapter IX p. 75;
“A Horrible Case of Bestiality: (Moodle)
John Winthrop: “A City on a Hill” (Moodle)
Quiz 1
WEEK # 2
September 3
Lecture: Puritan Poetry
Discussion: Bradford and Winthrop
Reading Assignment:
Anne Bradstreet: “The Prologue,” p. 114
“The Author to Her Book,” p. 122
“Here Follow [ . . .],” p. 122
Edward Taylor: “Huswifery,” p. 158)
September 5
Lecture: The Captivity Narrative and Mary Rowlandson: Puritan Religious Values/Witchcraft
Discussion: Bradstreet & Taylor
Reading Assignment:
Cotton Mather: From The Wonders of the Invisible World: “A People of God in the
Devil’s Territory” p. 160
“ The Trial of Martha Carrier” p. 163
Rowlandson: A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson
(all selections) p. 132-43
Harris: “A New England Primer” (Moodle)
Popular Culture: Miracle Whip commercial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=NR3BVN8ofk8)
Miracle Whip commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=2TbSQeNh0mE&list=PLbkOHiSqg2DfHTIBJL6I9ZM0
OjuBmSIQZ
Quiz 2
WEEK #3
September 10
Lecture: The Enlightenment and the American Revolution
Discussion: Mather & Rowlandson
Reading Assignment:
Benjamin Franklin: “The Way to Wealth,” p. 208)
Benjamin Franklin: “Remarks Concerning the Savages,” p. 216
J. H. De Crèvecoeur: From Letters from An American Farmer, “Letter
III,” p.323
Thomas Jefferson: From The Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson p.354

James Madison: The Federalist, “Letter 10" p. 365)

Popular Culture:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxKo7zwq2xw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6aC6GNQRBU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swRdiLSU51Q
Popular Culture: Playtex commercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEAFwhui9k4
September 12
Lecture:
Discussion: Franklin, Crèvecoeur, Jefferson
Reading Assignment:
Bartram: “Anecdotes of an American Crow” p.313
Philip Freneau: “The Indian Burying Ground” p. 399
Quiz 3
WEEK #4
September 17
Lecture: The Status of Women
Discussion: Bartram, Freneau
Reading Assignment:
Abigail Adams: “Letters” (Moodle)
Thomas Jefferson: “Letter to Nathaniel Burwell” (Moodle)
Judith Sargent Murray: From On the Equality of the Sexes . . .” p. 408
September 19
Lecture: Irving and the Idea of American Literature
Discussion: Adams, etc.
Reading Assignment:
Levine: “American Literature 1820-65: Introduction” p. 489
Irving: “Rip Van Winkle” p. 515
“The Adventure of the German Student” (Moodle)
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (Moodle)
Viewing: Sleepy Hollow amazon prime

WEEK #5
September 24
Viewing: Finish Sleepy Hollow
Discussion:
Popular Culture:
Snickers Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nDlbvHndPo
Rip van winkle Commercial (Trump Ad)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjNodgx5bao
Writing Assignment: Essay 1 Due 10/06/2019 @ 11:55 p.m
 Quiz 4
September 26
Lecture: The Westward Movement
Discussion: Irving
Reading Assignments:
William Cullen Bryant: “To A Waterfowl,” p. 540) “The Prairies” p. p. 515)
Washington Irving: Ch. XXIV “The Grand Prairie: A Buffalo Hunt” (Moodle)
Cooper: “The Slaughter of the Pigeons” (Moodle)
Popular Culture: North Face ad
Jerry Garcia’s “Shenandoah Lullaby”
State Farm Buffalo Ad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tll-4WONtg0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCEbUz3CjTM

WEEK #6
October 1
Lecture:
Discussion: Bryant, etc.
Reading Assignment:
Nathaniel Hawthorne: “Young Goodman Brown,” p. 668
“The Minister’s Black Veil,” p. 685
Writing Assignment: Essay 1 Due 10/06/2019@ 11:55 p.m
October 3
Lecture: The Gothic, Grotesque and Gross
Discussion: Hawthorne
Reading Assignment:
Hawthorne: “The Maypole of Merrymount” p.678
From: Legends of the Province House : “The Lady Eleanore’s Mantle”(Moodle)
WEEK #7
October 8
Lecture:
Discussion:
Reading Assignment:
Edgar Allan Poe:
“Ligeia,” p. 739
“The Black Cat” p. 736
“The Philosophy of Composition,” p. 790
October 10
Lecture: Poetic Devices
Discussion: Poe
Reading Assignment:
Edgar Allan Poe: “The Raven,” p. 735
Popular Culture: Rocky & Bullwinkle –Edgar Allan Poe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm_1L27JGFg
“The Raven” Rotorooter Commercial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drsiXQxuGgw
WEEK #8
October 15
Lecture: Slavery
Discussion:
Reading Assignment:
Levine: “Slavery, Race, and the Making of American Literature” p. 838)
Phyllis Wheatley: “On Being Brought From Africa to American” p. 403
Thomas Jefferson: From Notes on the State of Virginia p. 816
Stowe: From Uncle Tom’s Cabin p.781 p. 840
Harper: “Bury Me in a Free Land” p. 1244)
“Learning to Read” p. 1188 (9th p. 1245) “Eliza Harris” p. 1242)
Frederick Douglass: Narrative of the Life [ . . . ] p. 996)
Mrs. Mason’s Letter (Moodle)
Lydia Maria Child: “Mrs. Child’s Reply (Moodle)
Popular Culture: Racist cartoons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8D93Awa434
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlquOmv7Kk8
October 17
FALL BREAK

Lecture: Whitman and The Elegy

Discussion: Wheatley, etc.
Reading Assignment:
Whitman: “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” p. 114
When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” p. 1148)
Dickinson: “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” p. 1262
“Tell All the Truth But Tell It Slant” p. 1270
WEEK TEN
October 22
Lecture: Regionalism
Discussion: Whitman & Dickinson
Reading Assignment:
Levine: “Introduction”: p. 3 (vol. 2)
Bierce: “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” p. 318
October 24
Lecture:
Discussion: Bierce
Reading Assignment:
Chopin: “At the ‘Cadian Ball,” p. 427
“The Storm” p. 434
Dèsirée’s Baby” p. 442
Writing Assignment: Essay 2 Due 11/10/2019 @ 11:55 p.m.

WEEK ELEVEN
October 29
Lecture:
Discussion: Chopin
Reading Assignments:
Freeman: “A New England Nun” p. 439
“Louella Miller” (Moodle)
Chesnutt: “The Wife of His Youth” p. 465
 October 31
Lecture:
Discussion: Freeman & Chesnutt
Reading Assignments:
Washington: From Up From Slavery: “The Atlanta Exposition Address” p.449
Du Bois: “Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others,” p. 538
Bonnin/Zitkala Ša: “The Big Red Apples” p. 644
Writing Assignment: Essay 2: Due 11/10/2019 @ 11:55 p.m.

WEEK TWELVE
November 5
Lecture: American Realism and Naturalism
Discussion: Washington, DuBois, Zitkalaša
Reading Assignment:
Gilman: “Yellow Wallpaper” p. 485
Wharton: “Roman Fever” p. 512
London: “To Build a Fire” p.628
November 7
Lecture: Early Twentieth Century Poetry
Discussion: Wharton & London
Reading Assignments:
“Introduction”: p. 653
Robinson: “Richard Cory” p. 674
Lowell: “September, 1918” p. 713
Frost: “Mending Wall” p. 729
“The Death of the Hired Man” p. 730
“The Road Not Taken” p. 735
Writing Assignment: Essay 2: Due 11/10/2019 @ 11:55 p.m.

WEEK THIRTEEN
November 12
Lecture:
Discussion: Robinson, Lowell, Frost.
Reading Assignments:
Glaspell: “Trifles” p.743
Sandberg:
“Fog” p. 765
“Grass” p.766
Stevens: “Anecdote of the Jar” p. 773
November 14
Lecture: American Modernism
Discussion: Jury & Sandberg
Viewing: “A Jury of her Peers” (Trifles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGJTHi0rliA
Reading Assignments:
Faulkner: “Barn Burning” p. 1004
“A Rose for Emily” p. 99
WEEK FOURTEEN
November 19
Lecture:
Discussion: Faulkner
Reading Assignments:
Williams: “The Widow’s Lament in Springtime” p.781
“Landscape with the Fall of Icarus” p. 786
H.D. “Oread” p. 810
Eliot: “The Hollow Men” p. 883
Hemingway: “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” (Moodle)
November 21
Lecture: Harlem Renaissance
Discussion: Williams, etc.
Reading Assignments:
Dunbar: “We Wear the Mask” p. 623
McKay: “If We Must Die” p. 928
Hughes: “Mother To Son” p. 928
Cullen: “Yet Do I Marvel” p. 1056
“Incident” p. 1057
Walker: “Everyday Use” p. 1531
Hayden: “Those Winter Sundays” p. 1193
Clifton: “homage to my hips” p. 1480
WEEK 15
November 26
Lecture:
Discussion: Harlem Renaissance
Reading Assignments:
Levine: “Introduction” p. 1071
Williams: A Streetcar Named Desire p. 1116
November 28
NO CLASS THANKSGIVING!
Reading Assignments: Finish A Streetcar Named Desire p. 1116

WEEK 16
December 3
Lecture:
Viewing: Streetcar
Reading Assignments:
Roethke: “My Papa’s Waltz” p. 1090
Jarrell: “Death of the Ball Turret Gunner”
Rich: “Storm Warnings” p. 1381
Collins: “I Chop Some Parsley . . .” p. 1518
Komunyakaa: “Facing it” p. 1538
Lee: “Eating Alone” p. 1617
“Eating Together” p. 1618
Writing Assignment: Essay 3 Due 12/9/17 @ 11:55 p.m
December 5
Lecture:
Viewing: Streetcar
Discussion: Roethke, etc.
Reading Assignments: none
Writing Assignment: Essay 3 Due 12/15/17 @ 11:55 p.m