Description:

American Prose presents a series of literary works by American writers that reflects the attitudes and identity of our national literature and culture. By grappling with the ideas and characterizations presented in each literary work, the student develops meaningful insights into the attitudes and human conditions that influence America's national literary identity. 3 hrs./wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Associate major American writers with the traditional five periods of American literature and be able to discuss the identifying characteristics of each.
2. Identify several literary devices commonly used by American writers since the middle of the 18th century.
3. Explain some of the ways American literature is different from other national literatures written in English.
4. Recognize and appreciate the cultural diversity reflected in American fiction since the 1750s.
5. Understand the historical or geographical context which the author drew upon to create the work of fiction.
6. Correlate significant influences in the personal life of some prominent American writers and their fiction.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Crevecoeur, Franklin, Webster, Savarin and Irving
   A. Recognize and explain several literary devices used by Crevecoeur,
Franklin and Irving.
   B. Understand the cultural and historical context that fostered
Crevecoeur and formed Franklin's and Irving's point of view.
   C. Distinguish the impact of Native American subject matter and the
American landscape on Franklin vs. Crevecoeur and Irving.
   D. Contrast use of American and European landscapes in the works of
Crevecoeur and Irving.
   E. List the qualities that Crevecoeur, Franklin and Savarin identify as
leading to personal success in America.
   F. Understand the importance of copyright protection as espoused by
Webster and Irving.

II. Hawthorne, Emerson and Melville
   A. Identify formative life influences on the fiction of Hawthorne and
Melville and on the essays of Emerson.
   B. Understand the ways Hawthorne adapted the history of a specific
place as focus of The House of the Seven Gables or in several of his short
stories.
   C. Comprehend the complexity of Melville's perception of racial,
national and legal matters in Benito Cereno.
   D. Realize the significance and the relevance of Emerson's message
regarding individual autonomy, personal responsibility and self-trust.

III. James, Wharton, Cather and O'Connor
   A. Differentiate the perceptions of family life, especially
parent-child relationships, as depicted in the novels by these authors.
   B. Recognize the importance of regionalism as a governing idea in each
novel.
   C. Identify the use of autobiographical elements by the authors in each
novel.
   D. Observe the increasing use of psychology to delineate character and
explain motivation.
   E. Identify the use of literary devices and learn the ways each author
used other literary works as models or prototypes for these stories.
   F. Appreciate the use of cultural and economic diversity by each author
as a means of making a statement about American society.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Grades will be assigned on a numerical basis. 
Each of the three examinations will be worth 100 points.
Examinations will contain objective and essay questions.
There will be 20 unannounced quizzes worth 5 points each over the reading
material
   All of the quizzes totaled together will be worth 100 points.
   These quizzes cannot be made up; if you miss a quiz, you simply forfeit
those points.
Attendance and participation in class discussions are expected on a daily
basis.
The course grade will be determined by considering:
   the three hour exams,
   all of the quizzes lumped together,
   and class participation and attendance.

Exam I              = 25%
Exam II             = 25%
Exam III            = 25%
All quizzes totaled = 25%

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.