Prof. Bruce Harvey
AML 4213: Journeys to America--Early American Literature
Spring 2002, M/W 6:25-7:40
Home phone: (954) 920-8938
and by appointment
www.fiu.edu/~harveyb
harveyb@fiu.edu
COURSE POLICIES
Go to
Course Overview
Go to Syllabus
Go to
Policies
Go to Resources Go to "Pageout" (Discussions)
GRADES
25% participation (average of 2 out of 3 options below)
25% 5-page essay
25% 8-page expanded, researched version of previous essay
25% final exam
ASSIGNMENTS & POLICIES
Class Website: The address for my homepage (which then links you to the "Journeys to America" website) is at the top of this page. The site provides links to other sites on our readings and assignments and summary/study sheets. The easiest way of avoiding confusion is to go to the syllabus page, where I have matched our weekly readings with abbreviated links that will take you to online handouts, my review sheets, external sites, and so on.
Attendance and Participation: Frequent absences (more than four days) will severely lower your final grade, and you cannot pass the course if you miss more than six days.
Participation: Every student is a vital part of the class community, and I will expect you to work to make the class an energizing experience. The flow of good class discussions will result in a course more satisfying for everyone. You get to choose to fulfill 2 out of 3 participation options:
--In-class participation can take a variety of forms—the raising of questions or issues, stating opinions about the work or topic being discussed, responding to other students’ or my comments, involvement in group activities, and so on. I also will consider postings on the class "PageOut" discussion threads (beyond what you submit as reaction papers) as a form of participation. Around the middle of the semester (or earlier if you request) I will assess your participation up to that point. A tip: skipping class because you have not done the reading or because you do not have an essay prepared to turn in is not a great idea (I would rather have you plead your case for an extension than to miss out on class discussion). Participation is worth 20% of your overall grade.
I will explain how to access your "PageOut" account the first or second week of class, and if you have problems logging on, then or later, you should immediately contact me. You may initiate topics ("threads") or respond to topics I or other students propose; or you can respond to the online reaction papers (see below). You should try to use the bulletin board fairly regularly, but I don't want its use to become only busy work for you. Heated debate is fine; but remember that basic rules of etiquette apply--be polite and avoid vulgarities. Respectable grammar, spelling, and sentence style are expected. If the online discussion creates awkwardness for you in any form, please talk to me and we'll work the problem out. For those of you who do not have easy access to the Internet at home, there are many facilities on campus, available virtually all the time. I would like you all to be active on the discussion threads, but you can also get an "A" for participation the old fashion way--by committed, routine discussion in class.
Reaction Papers/Postings: For the ** dates marked on the syllabus, you are required to submit a chunky paragraph (about 1/2-1 page worth) on the "PageOut" site responding to the reading for that day, for a total of 8 by the end of the semester. If using the "PageOut" site doesn't work for you, then bring a hardcopy to class. These responses, either online or hardcopy, should be correct in terms of grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation. In them, except when I assign a subject, you can ponder whatever especially interested or provoked you about the work currently being read, as long as your ideas cohere around a central point or issue (don't ramble or summarize the plot). When you go to the "PageOut" discussion area, you will find listed as a discussion subject a reminder to post your responses. The responses are a chance for you to explore your intellectual reactions to the texts; write what you think, not what you believe I may want to hear. For each, you will receive either a check or a check minus (thoughtful and competently written) or a check minus (not very thoughtful or poorly written or not turned in). The collective grade for the responses, worth 20% of the total course grade, will be calculated on the accumulated number of checks: A(8), A-(7), B+(6), B(5), B-(4), C+(3), C(2), etc. Late reaction papers will not be accepted, except under extraordinary circumstances. I will give you your grades for the reactions in class or via email. Those who are routinely active participators in class and on the discussion thread will be granted some "slack" for the formal reaction papers (i.e., if you're talking in class and writing online, the reaction papers in effect become redundant).
Please note: I have tried to make the class participation and reaction paper requirements flexible, to pull forth what you excel in and feel comfortable with. If you are shy in class, then be vocal in the discussion threads; if you dislike electronic/online stuff, then turn in hardcopy reaction papers and talk in class.
Papers:
You will write a five page paper
on one of our texts, due on Feb. 28.
This paper will be worth 20% of your course grade. You will also write an
eight page essay, either a substantial revision of the first one plus some
research (do not do research for the initial version!); or on a new topic,
depending upon your grade on the first one and whether the topic still interests
you. The second version will be worth 20% of your final grade, and is due
April 3. Longer instructions
will be handed out.
--Obviously, it is in your best interest to do well on the first version,
because you'll have less work to do for the second, more elaborate version.
Vice-versa, though, a not-so-hot job on the first version does not mean
disaster: at my discretion (based upon extent of improvement, mainly), I tend to
underweight the earlier version if the second one or entirely new essay is very
good.
--For both versions, organization and style, as well as originality of thought,
will be factors in determining the grade.
--If you think you might want to write on one of the texts we'll be reading in the last third of the semester, please consult with me.
--I would like to help you develop your writing skills‑‑so I welcome visits during my office hours to discuss your papers-in-progress. Some class time will be set aside to review essay-writing techniques.
--An unexcused late paper will be penalized one-third grade for each class period submitted late. Only emergencies will allow you to turn in a paper late without penalty.
Final Exam: The final exam will consist of fill-in-the-blank type questions. If you've done the reading faithfully, preparation for the final exam should take no more than two hours or so. It will be worth 20% of your course grade.
Incompletes: These will only be given to students who have legitimate health or family emergencies.
Conferences: I am always happy to meet with you during office hours to talk more about the readings or other course matters. I also usually am available on most weekday afternoons. For brief questions or to set up a conference outside of my regular office hours, you may call me at my home number before 10:00 pm (954-920-8938), leave a message on my office phone (305-919-5254), or email me at harveyb@fiu.edu.