This is a college literature class, what is known as a "survey" course. (To "survey" means "to overlook, as if from a high prospect, to review, or outline.") The purpose of this class is to introduce students to a body of literature and ideas from a particular period and culture of human civilization. The body of work we "survey" is from North America, from the period when the Europeans first arrive to what they called "The New World" up until just before the start of the American Civil War.

Course Prerequisites: ENG 112 or ENG 125 or equivalent course or division approval.

If you complete this course and do well, you will be able to:

• Better Analyze and appreciate literature in general, and American Literature in particular
• Relate American Literature to American culture
• Understand the major characteristics of American Literature
• Recognize and interpret common themes in American Literature
• Recognize major figures, movements, and works in American literary history
• Recognize that American Literature is a diverse and inclusive set of ideas and works that express the unique spirit of American culture and society
• Recognize how American writers of the past have contributed to the creation of our modern, multicultural Democracy

In addition to the required text (2 volumes), you should also have an up-to-date college level writing handbook that includes the updated MLA 2009 Guidelines.

Possible Assignments Include: (Subject to change each semester. The actual assignments are available in the Syllabus in the Blackboard course site on the first day of classes.)

There will also be a one-time opportunity to earn ten (10) extra credit points by attending one or more interactive, synchronous ("live") online lectures. The dates, times and link to the sessions (using Collaborate) will be posted in the Blackboard course site.

Your final grade may be based on the following scale. Please note that you must also pass both exams in order to pass the course, regardless of your scores on the other assignments.

There are 2 exams in this course.

Last Updated: January 6, 2012