EGL 221

ENGLISH 221 GENERIC COURSE SYLLABUS


I.	Course Prefix	Course No.	Course Name	Credit	Lecture	Lab
	EGL	221	American Literature I from the Pre-Colonial Period to the Civil War	3	3	0

II.

Prerequisite:

EGL 101 or placement into 101

III.

Course (Catalog) Description:

Course traces the development of American literature by studying major writers from 1600-1865. Content includes social, cultural, historical, and literary influences, as well as terminology and methods of literary analysis and evaluation.

IV.

Learning Objectives:

The student will be able to

A. Demonstrate familiarity with the major works of American literature from the pre- colonial period through the civil war, recognizing major characteristics of the literature of the various periods.

B. Analyze prose, poetry and fiction.

C. Explain the significance of literary works in terms of the cultural attitudes of the period.

D. Recognize literary types and regional variations literature of the period.

Academic Integrity:

Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:

• cheating,
• plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
• falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
• helping others to cheat,
• unauthorized changes on official documents,
• pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
• making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
• any other behavior that violates academic integrity.

There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.

Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.

VI.

Sequence of Topics:

Weeks 1-3:

The English Colonies: 1616?1765 Selection will include works by Columbus, Smith, Native Americans, Bradford, Williams, Bradstreet, Mather, Taylor, Byrd, Sewall, Edwards

Weeks 4-6:

The New Republic: 1765?1829 Selections will include works by Franklin, Jefferson, Paine, Freneau, Wheatley.

Weeks 7-11:

American Romanticism I, 1829?1865 Selections will include works by Irving, Cooper, Bryant, Poe, Emerson, Thoreau, Longfellow, Whittier, Holmes, Lowell.

Weeks 12-16:

American Romanticism II, 1829-1865: Selections will include works by Hawthorne, Melville, Douglass, Lincoln, Whitman, Dickinson.

VII.

Methods of Instruction:

The course will include lectures, discussions, readings, and the supplementary use of other appropriate media such as videotapes, films, etc.

VIII.

Course Practices Required:

Reading, writing, and testing. A minimum of three critical essays of at least 750 words each.

IX.

Required Materials:

The instructor will choose readings or an anthology of American literature; for a more detailed selection, please see the full course outline.

Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

Evaluation methods include grading of student essays, quizzes, hour exams and final exam, oral reports, and class participation.

Required written work:

A minimum of three critical essays of at least 750 words each, written outside of class.

XI.

Other Course Information:

Attendance policy

For whatever information/procedures the instructor holds the student accountable.

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in Instructional Support Services. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.

June 2006