American Literature through the Civil War
Syllabus
CAM102 American Literature through the Civil War
Course Overview
Course Description
In American Literature, we explore the foundations and development of the early literary canon. Beginning with the early explorers of the New World and ending with the Civil War, we will read selections from the explorers/settlers, the Founding Fathers, early writers of fiction and poetry, philosophers, and those recording historic events as they unfolded. By engaging with these writers and their works, students will have a better understanding of and appreciation for early American literature.
Credit Hours: 3hrs
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify key early American writers and their representative works.
- Describe the development of the American literary canon and the characteristics of and influences on its development.
- Explain the philosophical, political, religious, and aesthetic concepts of the early American literary canon.
- Appreciate divergent points of view through readings, responses, and class discussion
Resources
Digital
- Levine, R., Elliott, M., Gustafson, S., Hungerford, A. & Loeffelholz, M. (2017). The Norton anthology of American literature. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
Course Outline
Module Zero: Getting Started
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Syllabus, Ebook, Meet the Instructor |
Input |
1.5 hrs |
-- |
|
Student Questions |
Discussion |
.5 hr |
-- |
|
Totals |
2 hrs |
-- |
|
Module One: Explorers and Settlers in the New World
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
7 hrs |
-- |
|
Reading Quiz 1 |
Quiz |
1 hr |
15 |
|
Reading Quiz 2 |
Quiz |
1 hr |
15 |
|
Discussion Forum |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
35 |
| Diaries and Letters from the New World | Paper |
6 hrs |
50 |
|
Learner Survey |
Feedback |
.5 hrs |
-- |
|
Totals |
18.5 hrs |
115 |
|
Module Two: Political Writers of the Founding Era
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
11 hrs |
-- |
|
Reading Quiz 3 |
Quiz |
1 hr |
15 |
|
Reading Quiz 4 |
Quiz |
1 hr |
15 |
|
Discussion Forum |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
35 |
|
Response Paper |
Paper |
5 hrs |
50 |
|
Totals |
21 hrs |
115 |
|
Module Three: The Knickerbockers
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
5.5 hrs |
-- |
|
Reading Quiz 5 |
Quiz |
1 hr |
15 |
|
Reading Quiz 6 |
Quiz |
1 hr |
15 |
Discussion Forum |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
35 |
| The Knickerbockers and American Identity |
Presentation |
6 hrs |
50 |
|
Circle Discussion |
Discussion |
1 hr |
35 |
|
Mid-Term Exam |
Exam |
2 hrs |
100 |
|
Totals |
19.5 hrs |
250 |
|
Module Four: Transcendentalism
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
10 hrs |
-- |
|
Reading Quiz 7 |
Quiz |
1 hr |
15 |
|
Reading Quiz 8 |
Quiz |
1 hr |
15 |
|
Discussion Forum |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
35 |
Response Paper |
Paper |
5 hrs |
50 |
|
Exploring Transcendentalism |
Paper |
6 hrs |
50 |
|
Totals |
26 hrs |
165 |
|
Module Five: The American Renaissance
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
8 hrs |
-- |
|
Discussion Forum |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
35 |
|
Circle Discussion |
Discussion |
1 hr |
50 |
|
Reading Quiz 9 |
Quiz |
1 hr |
15 |
|
Reading Quiz 10 |
Quiz |
1 hr |
15 |
|
Totals |
14 hrs |
115 |
|
Module Six: Clouds Of War
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
6 hrs |
-- |
|
Discussion Forum |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
35 |
|
Reading Quiz 11 |
Quiz |
1 hr |
15 |
|
Reading Quiz 12 |
Quiz |
1 hr |
15 |
Comparative Analysis of Slave Narratives |
Paper |
7 hrs |
75 |
|
Final Exam |
Exam |
2 hrs |
100 |
|
Totals |
20 hrs |
240 |
|
Module Seven: Course Wrap Up
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
.25 hrs |
-- |
|
Learner Survey |
Feedback |
.5 hrs |
-- |
|
Totals |
.75 hrs |
-- |
|
Live Sessions
This course has live meetups for Q & A, typically one hour every other week. If you cannot attend, you can recoup the points for the session by watching the recording and submitting a 300-word summary/response. Since these sessions will be audio-visually recorded, those who participate with their camera engaged are agreeing to have their video, image, or voice recorded.
Grading
- Discussion Forums: 210 points
- Live Q&A Sessions: 85 points
- Quizzes: 180 points
- Papers/Presentation: 325 points
- Exams: 200 points
(1000 points total)