Course Philosophy and Objectives

In this section of English 210, students will

• learn the major elements of fiction, poetry, and drama and the primary characteristics of a variety of western genres
• read a variety of western literature and some critical works about the literature and its authors
• discuss and write about the western as a literary form
• craft their own western narratives

• Recognize the major characteristics of literary genres
• Discuss literature, orally and in writing, with assurance
• Appreciate literary works which are encountered
• Understand the different ways in which literary theme may be treated in literature.

• Read poetry, prose fiction, and drama
• Investigate various methods of approaching and understanding literature
• Write papers, including themes and essay examinations
• Read a variety of works in which a chosen theme is dominant.

Required Materials

Required Texts:

• L'Amour, Louis. Hondo. New York: Bantam Books, 1997.
• Cather, Willa. O Pioneers!. New York: Dover Publications, 1993.
• Clark, Walter Van Tilburg. The Ox-Bow Incident. New York: The Modern Library, 1968.
• London, Jack. The Call of the Wild. New York, Dover Publications, 1990.
• Lyon, Thomas J. ed. The Literary West: An Anthology of Western American Literature. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
• Momoday, N. Scott. The Way to Rainy Mountain. University of New Mexico Press, 1969.
• Sherwood, Robert Emmet. The Petrified Forest. New York: Dramatists Play Service, Inc., 1962.

• Lewis, Jon E. The Mammoth Book of the West: The Making of the American West. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers, Inc., 2001.

• Two Computer Disks for revising, saving, backing up, and submitting your work.
• A Binder Notebook with notebook paper and pockets for holding hard copies of your writings and copies of materials gathered and received. I do not like to receive work torn from spiral-bound notebooks. NO raw edges please.
• A hole punch, so that articles and other materials may be inserted into your notebook.
• A Pocket Folder in which to submit disks and hard copies of writings.
• Photocopies of your work and various sources.
• Stamina and Good Humor.

Attendance and Promptness

Attendance is mandatory. School functions, illness, and personal crisis do not absolve you from your classroom obligations. So while due consideration is given to the student struck by lightening on the way to class, an absence cannot be designated as "excused" or "unexcused" --it simply "is." I consider three absences to be reasonable; absences beyond three will likely effect your final grade, as you are not here to participate or turn in your work. Chronic lateness will count toward this total.

Regular attendance is an essential part of the student's educational experience and a requirement for an adequate evaluation of student academic progress. You are responsible for material covered or assignments given which you missed because of absence.

If I should be unable to meet class, you will be notified by a secretary, fellow instructor, or a note on the classroom door. Be sure to note any assignments due upon my return.

You will be expected to make significant contributions to the class in the form of Participation and Preparation. Participation includes the contributions you make to class discussion and the help you give your fellow writers. Preparation includes doing the daily assignments and research, as well as bringing your drafts and copies or other materials on the appropriate day. If you come to class unprepared, you will receive a zero for any work due that day.

Active and insightful contributions to class discussion are not extra credit. Like the written assignments, your tactful and substantive comments are part of the minimal requirements for successful completion of the course. If you are a naturally quiet person, force yourself to be more vocal; do not assume that if I do not call on you that you need not participate, as it is your responsibility to voice your observations at appropriate and relevant times. Conversely, if you are a naturally talkative person, you may have to restrain yourself so that everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Since you obviously cannot make up for discussions from which you were absent, attendance is again critical.

Keep in mind that live classroom discussion

gives me an additional indication of how closely and thoughtfully you have read, enabling me to evaluate your knowledge and abilities more fairly and accurately.

gives you practice arguing with others respectfully and professionally.

gives you opportunities to formulate applications of principles.

gives you prompt feedback on difficult or confusing issues and material.

increases your retention of material through explaining, summarizing, and questioning.

Students are expected to be courteous and respectful in all of their exchanges with the instructor and other students and students should be particularly careful to note how tone, rhetoric, and language all contribute to the overall impression of their words and writings. The college expects all students to conduct themselves so as to maintain an effective environment for learning; to act responsibly in accordance with good taste; and to respect fully the rights of others.

Any student in this course who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of abilities should contact me by the end of the first week so that we can discuss class requirements.

All assignments are due at the beginning of the hour on the due date. Learning is a cumulative process and each assignment in this course is designed to build on the last assignment; therefore, late work disrupts this important aspect of the learning process. For this reason, no daily assignments or drafts will be accepted late. Under extraordinary circumstances, you may apply for a time extension of 24 hours on your final narrative or essay before the assignment is due. No work will be accepted after the last class day before final exams.

You will be called upon to use a computer outside of class time for several of your assignments. Further, all final writings for this course must be word-processed according to MLA guidelines. MWSC has a number of computer labs to help you complete this requirement. Learn to use the labs early and plan ahead to get into them during the busy parts of the semester. Save all the work that you do for this class, in both hard and disk copies.

Over the course of the semester, students will read a variety of stories, novels, plays, and poems and a some critical work about western literature, its authors, and literature in general. In addition to the readings, students will do in-class writings, will write a western experience narrative of their own, will write a formal interpretative essay, and take a midterm and a final exam. In order to pass the course, you must complete the formal writings and take the exams. In addition, the quality of your work, the percentage of the work that you complete, and your efforts at participation will determine your final grade.

A word of caution: don't underestimate the value of small assignments, preparedness, and daily participation. Since no late work is accepted, you must be in class and ready to go, with the task in hand, 90% of the time. Occasional lapses are understood, but chronic lapses can only pull your grade downward.

Your Final Grade Distribution is as follows:

• Daily Assignments and Participation = 10%
• Western Experience Narrative = 20%
• Formal Interpretative Essay = 25%
• Midterm Exam = 20%
• Final Exam = 25%

. . . it is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. -- Herman Melville

Some Final Thoughts

This syllabus is of a contractual nature, and by remaining in the course you acknowledge your acceptance of its stipulations in their entirety. If the policies or obligations are unclear, then you should speak with me immediately. If they are clear but unacceptable to you, then you should drop the course.

If you choose to remain in the course, be sure to keep a copy of this syllabus with you and to refer to it regularly. Policies are enforced without exception to ensure uniformity and to facilitate fairness for all students. In the interest of efficiency, however, I reserve the right to make necessary alterations to this syllabus and to make announced changes in daily plans.

Life is unpredictable--at least for the most part. I recognize that at times your outside life may interfere with your classroom life. It is up to you to set your priorities and to realize that "doing it all" is not always possible or even desirable. If you are feeling stressed about all you have to accomplish, remember that sometimes you can miss class, sometimes you can come to class unprepared, and sometimes you can really mess up--without it effecting your grade unduly. If, however, what should be an occasional problem completing your work becomes a chronic problem, come see me. If I understand what is going on in your life, I can more easily help you achieve your goals.