Here is the syllabus for American Romantic Fiction.
American Romantic Fiction
Spring 2007 • 3300:448/548-001
MWF 12:00-12:50pm • Olin Hall 123A
Dr. Miller, University of Akron
Jon Miller
(Ph.D., U. of Iowa, 2000)
Find me at 330-972-5717 (office and voice mail), mjon at uakron.edu (email), or 363 Olin Hall (office). My office hours are Monday and Wednesday, 1:30 to 3:30. Syllabi and other course materials are archived on my website, jonmiller.org.
Course Description
This is a senior- and graduate-level study of the American “romance” of the 1820-1860 period.
Textbooks
Please note we are studying these editions. Yes, you must buy (or borrow) these editions.
James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy: A Tale of the Neutral Ground. 1821; Penguin Classics, 1997. ISBN 0140436286.
Catharine Maria Sedgwick, A New-England Tale. 1822; Penguin Classics, 2003. ISBN 0142437123.
Catharine Maria Sedgwick, The Linwoods: or, "Sixty Years Since" in America. 1835; University Press of New England, 2002. ISBN 1584651539.
Herman Melville, Redburn: His First Voyage. 1849; Penguin Classics, 1977. ISBN 0140431055.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of Seven Gables. 2nd rev. ed. 1851; W.W. Norton, 2005. ISBN 0393924769.
William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah. 1859; History Press, 2005. ISBN 1596290331.
Vocabulary
To read, comprehend, and write persuasively about older literature, you must better know the language of older literature. I will provide a list of words and definitions, with a few key literary terms, for you to study. This vocabulary provides a context that will help you, especially on a first reading, to better understand and anticipate the developments in plot and theme which first made these works compelling.
Quizzes
We'll have at least one brief quiz for every class. These will vary in format. The lowest 20% of quiz scores will be dropped. You cannot make up quizzes that you miss because of absence or tardiness.
Edition
All students will prepare an edition of out-of-print primary material in five stages. Each stage must be submitted in electronic format. If you choose to submit your files by email, you and only you are responsible for making sure that I receive the files on time. Here are the stages. First, you will create and submit an accurate electronic text. Second, you will write and submit a summary of facts about the text. Third, you will write an annotated bibliography that defines and describes the scholarly context in which you will present your text. Fourth, you will write a 1500-word paper (or 4000-word paper, for graduate students) that interprets your text in the context of your summary of facts and your annotated bibliography. Finally, you will combine all of this material into one finished product.
Authors of the best editions will have the opportunity to publish them on the website.
On plagiarism
Plagiarism is a moral and ethical offense and, more narrowly, a violation of the scholarly and professional ethics to which you, the student, are bound. Students who falsely represent scholarly work as their own, at any stage of an assignment’s possible course of submission and re-submission, will receive, as the minimum punishment, a grade of zero for that assignment. Students can also expect to have the case reported to University authorities. This may result in further and more severe consequences. Please note too, that ignorance of this academic law is no excuse for its violation. All students have a responsibility to study and clearly understand the full range of scurrilous behaviors which constitute plagiarism.
Attendance policy
(1) Missing 20% of class warrants failure. (2) All reasons to miss class – personal or academic – are equally good. There are no “excused” absences. (3) I do not require an explanation for an absence. If you miss class, I will assume that you missed class for a good reason. I respect your privacy and do not need to know why. On the other hand, I will be concerned. So if you care to tell me, I will listen. (4) Any lateness to class will be marked as half an absence. (5) Any early departure from class will be marked as half an absence. (6) Habitual tardiness or early departure warrants a failing participation grade. (7) I will keep a careful record of the number of times you are absent, late, or leaving early, but I will not bring this to class. And I will not be able to provide an accurate, up-to-the-minute total of time missed on demand. You are responsible for keeping your own record. (8) Your attendance record cannot be improved by additional writing assignments or other kinds of “extra credit.”
Attendance and participation
All students are expected to respect the worth and contribution of everyone in the classroom. Your attendance grade is the percentage of classes that you attend. Your participation grade reflects your day-to-day contribution to the class. Your attendance and participation grade is the product of these grades.
Final Grade
Grades are computed as follows: Quizzes 30%, Edition 60% (Text 5%, Facts 15%, Annotated bibliography 5%, Interpretation 35%), Attendance & Participation, 10%. All assignments receive a numeric grade. Grades will be awarded as follows: 92.5, A; 90, A-; 87.5, B+; 82.5, B; 80, B-; 77.5, C+; 72.5, C; 70.0, C-; 67.5, D+; 62.5, D; 60, D-; below 60, F.
Reading Schedule
Please note: when class is cancelled (for any reason), so are the readings for that class. We stay on schedule.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
(class no. 1)
Syllabus, introductory lecture
Friday, January 19, 2007
(class no. 2)
Wayne Franklin, "Introduction," "Suggestions for Further Reading," "A Note on the Text," in James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy, pp. vi-xxxiv; James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy, pp. 1-30
Monday, January 22, 2007
(class no. 3)
James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy, pp. 31-96
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
(class no. 4)
James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy, pp. 97-147; Ethan Jordan, "Thomas Hutchinson and Ezra Stiles on the Regicides" (handout)
Friday, January 26, 2007
(class no. 5)
James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy, pp. 148-215
Monday, January 29, 2007
(class no. 6)
James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy, pp. 216-80
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
(class no. 7)
James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy, pp. 281-340
Friday, February 2, 2007
(class no. 8)
James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy, pp. 340-407
Monday, February 5, 2007
(class no. 9)
Susan K. Harris, "Introduction," "Suggestions for Further Reading," "A Note on the Text," in Catharine Maria Sedgwick, A New-England Tale, pp. vii-xxiv; Catharine Maria Sedgwick, A New-England Tale, pp. 1-43
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
(class no. 10)
Catharine Maria Sedgwick, A New-England Tale, pp. 44-107
Friday, February 9, 2007
(class no. 11)
Catharine Maria Sedgwick, A New-England Tale, pp. 107-63
Monday, February 12, 2007
(class no. 12)
Catharine Maria Sedgwick, A New-England Tale, pp. 164-88
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
(class no. 13)
Maria Karafilis, "Acknowledgments," "Introduction," "Works Cited in the Introduction," "Suggestions for Further Reading," "Note on the Text," in Catharine Maria Sedgwick, The Linwoods, pp. ix-xlii; Catharine Maria Sedgwick, The Linwoods, pp. 1-21
Friday, February 16, 2007
(class no. 14)
Catharine Maria Sedgwick, The Linwoods, pp. 22-83
Monday, February 19, 2007
(class no. 15)
Catharine Maria Sedgwick, The Linwoods, pp. 84-144
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
(class no. 16)
Catharine Maria Sedgwick, The Linwoods, pp. 145-201
Friday, February 23, 2007
(class no. 17)
Catharine Maria Sedgwick, The Linwoods, pp. 202-58
Monday, February 26, 2007
(class no. 18)
Catharine Maria Sedgwick, The Linwoods, pp. 259-314
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
(class no. 19)
Catharine Maria Sedgwick, The Linwoods, pp. 315-60
Friday, March 2, 2007
(class no. 20)
Harold Beaver, "Introduction," "A Note on the Text," "Bibliography," in Herman Melville, Redburn, pp. 1-42; Herman Melville, Redburn, 43-56
Monday, March 5, 2007
(class no. 21)
Herman Melville, Redburn, pp. 56-114
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
(class no. 22)
Herman Melville, Redburn, pp. 115-72
Friday, March 9, 2007
(class no. 23)
Herman Melville, Redburn, pp. 173-228
Monday, March 12, 2007
(class no. 24)
Herman Melville, Redburn, pp. 229-83
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
(class no. 25)
Herman Melville, Redburn, pp. 284-334
Friday, March 16, 2007
(class no. 26)
Herman Melville, Redburn, pp. 335-92
Monday, March 19, 2007
Spring break
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Spring break
Friday, March 23, 2007
Spring break
Monday, March 26, 2007
(class no. 27)
Herman Melville, Redburn, pp. 393-406
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
(class no. 28)
Robert S. Levine, "Introduction," "A Note on the Text and Annotations," "Acknowledgments," in Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of Seven Gables, ix-xx; Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of Seven Gables, pp. 1-32
Friday, March 30, 2007
(class no. 29)
Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of Seven Gables, pp. 32-83
Monday, April 2, 2007
(class no. 30)
Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of Seven Gables, pp. 83-133
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
(class no. 31)
Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of Seven Gables, pp. 133-88
Friday, April 6, 2007
(class no. 32)
Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of Seven Gables, pp. 188-225
Monday, April 9, 2007
(class no. 33)
Sean R. Kusick, "Introduction," in William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 1-13; William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 17-49
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
(class no. 34)
William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 50-99
Friday, April 13, 2007
(class no. 35)
William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 100-42
Monday, April 16, 2007
(class no. 36)
William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 143-94
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
(class no. 37)
William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 195-237
Friday, April 20, 2007
(class no. 38)
William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 238-88
Monday, April 23, 2007
(class no. 39)
William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 289-334
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
(class no. 40)
William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 335-88
Friday, April 27, 2007
(class no. 41)
William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 389-440
Monday, April 30, 2007
(class no. 42)
William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 441-86
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
(class no. 43)
William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 487-540
Friday, May 4, 2007
(class no. 44)
William Gilmore Simms, The Cassique of Kiawah, pp. 540-600
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