English 241 is the first course of Survey of American Literature I and II. In this class, your study will involve analytical reading and writing. The instruction examines a wide range of writers and American literary works from Native America and European exploration to the Civil War, emphasizing the ideas and characteristics of our national literature. This course intends to provide students with an understanding of the ideas, themes, and characteristics of American literature. Students also develop an awareness of the cultural, historical, religious, philosophical, and aesthetic contexts which shape American culture.

Prerequisite : Eng 112 or permission of instructor.

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

• Examine and define the literary characteristics of writings by American authors from the 1600s to 1860s.
• Understand the relationship of these works to American history and culture.
• Develop critical reading and writing skills through the analysis of a variety of literary genres.
• Understand the relationship of these works to your experience and heritage in American culture.

The required textbook for this course is:

• Lauter, Paul, and others, eds. The Heath Anthology of American Literature . Vol. A & B Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. 5th ed.

Additional Materials:

The following materials are also required for this course:

• Survey of American Literature I Video Series (Judy Riggin) - Available online and CD

There are 3 exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

• BY EMAIL: jriggin@nvcc.edu
• BY CAMPUS TELEPHONE: (703) 323-3357
• BY ELI TELEPHONE: (703) 323-3347

• MY CAMPUS OFFICE HOURS:
• MY ELI OFFICE HOURS:
  

  Your Email Account:
  You have been assigned a VCCS email address for use in this and other courses that you take through NVCC or other colleges in the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). The VCCS requires that you use this email account for any course-related email communication so that we can insure your privacy as required by law. If you don't know your VCCS email address, go to the Start Page and search for your address.

  To log on to your email account and check for mail, click the Student Email tab near the top of this page. Enter your complete email address as your user name. Use the same password as you first used to log onto Blackboard (either the birth date you gave when you registered, or the last 4 digits of your student number). If you need help using the email account, go to the Email Login Page and click the link to "online documentation."

  Please check your email regularly. That is how I will send private, course-related information. I will also reply to your emails at your VCCS account. I will not accept or respond to email sent by you from any account other than the one provided by the VCCS.

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.