Here is a final lecture on all of the assignments that you need to turn in and about my expectations for your papers:
All papers should be written according to MLA format. You should discuss the theme of the work that you analyze. When you turn in your final papers to my email account at raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com, please indicate that you are turning in your final paper by attaching the word final to the name of your document: e.g. JeanToomerFINAL.doc.
When I download attachments marked FINAL at the end, I will issue a final grade and will not send you any paper back for revision. Please turn in your final papers by the end of the week so I can calculate your grades. I should have your grades availabe by the end of the week as soon as you turn them in. You still have to show up for the final exam and show me your exam permit. I should be able to give you your grade at that point.
Turn in your final papers on The Road and on No Country for Old Men. In your paper, touch upon the theme of survival and on Cormac McCarthy's approach to character. Address why the main characters often die in McCarthy's writing. Use MLA format.
I will post a video lecture discussing The Road soon.
April 8th, 2010
Please begin writing your five page paper on The Road. I will begin posting video lectures on The Road as we continue our discussion of this novel.
You should discuss the overall theme of the novel.
I would like a draft by the end of next week. Send it to raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com.
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
Today, we read passages from The Road. Please purchase this novel if you haven't already. We will be reading it during the rest of the semester. We will also discuss the poetic quality of McCarthy's writing style.
Please watch the trailer for the movie The Road: Trailer Write a brief one page description of your response to the trailer. What did you think of it? Send it to me at raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com
Here is a UCLA professor's view of The Road explaining the significance of McCarthy's novel:
Also, a discussion of the relationship of the film to the book:
Viggo Mortenson discusses playing the father in The Road:
Friday, March 12th, 2010
Please turn in all of your assignments before Sunday, March 14th.
I will be calculating midterm grades. If you have turned in all assignments, you will receive a passing grade.
If you are missing any assignments, you will receive a deficiency.
If you are missing more than two assignments, you will receive an F for the midterm grade.
Please note that you will have to revise assignments after the midterm. All assignments should be kept together in a folder for the end of the semester.
I am struggling with the Simon Ortiz paper. What can I do to find out more about Native American culture and philosophy so I can better understand poems like "Vision Shadows"? We covered the poem "Vision Shadows" in class. You should look at the imagery in the poem and analyze the associations with the images that you have. What does the eagle represent? How is the beginning of the poem different from the ending of the poem? What is happening to nature throughout the poem? If you have any questions, please email me at raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com
How do I make accept or reject the corrections Dr. Comprone makes with track changes? Put the cursor on the material highlighted in red. Right click the mouse on your computer. Look at the drop down menu. Click Accept Change or Reject Change.
Monday, March 1st, 2010
Today, we discussed The Road.
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Today, we worked on the Charlot and Cochise paper in class. We will be working on our other papers throughout the next two weeks. Please bring your books to class and be prepared to do some serious writing.
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Today, we read "The Pasture," "Mowing," "Mending Wall," "the Road Not Taken," and "Birches" by Robert Frost. Choose one or two poems and contrast them.
Here are some sample questions about the poems (you don't have to answer all of them): What is the theme of "the Pasture?" How does it represent a certain type of country lifestyle? How does this poem reflect a certain vision of American identity? In "Mowing," what does the scythe represent? How does it relate to hard work? In "Mending Wall," what does the wall represent? What type of American identity does the wall represent? Do we live according to the walls and boundaries we make? How does the speaker in the poem feel about mending walls? What is ironic about the title? What are the ambivalent feelings the speaker feels towards the act of mending the walls? What does "The Road Not Taken" represent? What comment does it make on life? Do we have to make choices that we might regret in life? Do we always have to make choices in life and do our choices make us individuals? Why does the speaker go on the road less traveled? What comment does this poem make on American identity?
Friday, February 12th, 2010
Today, we read and wrote about Emerson's "Self-Reliance."
Write about Emerson's "Self-Reliance" and explain the concept (two pages and use MLA format).
The old campus of Boydton Institute is just a short distance from Saint Paul's College, between Lawrenceville and South Hill. It was a Black school, and Vernon Johns attended there before moving on to higher education. Some of its graduates are still living in the Boydton area, but, as the school closed around the 1930s, there is limited time left to collect oral histories. This would be a good opportunity for history students, especially, to use what they've learned in the classroom to preserve a piece of the past. The opportunity to work with faculty on the attached list would be an added bonus.
Please contact Dr. Palmgren concerning this matter if you would like to engage in this project (extra credit awarded): jpalmgren@saintpauls.edu
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
We discussed Emerson's Self-Reliance today.
Monday, February 8th, 2010
Today, we read Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance." I will post a video lecture later.
Thursday:
We discussed your papers. Please send me your papers at raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com. Bring your papers to the next class, so you can read them. If not, you will receive more assignments.
I have updated the MLA format section. Please look there if you have questions about the MLA format.
Wednesday
When you watch the movie "Avatar," please be sure to include at least one quote from this blog about people's comments on the film. Some people are criticizing Avatar because it questions organized religion. Others are questioning it because it is anti-military. Others are saying "get over it, it's a film!" Others are saying that being against the military and for peace doesn't mean the film is against God. See the debate here at this link: Avatar
Revised Assignment from Monday:
Be sure to compare Charlot's speech with Cochise. What happened to Native Americans? What do you think it felt like to be in Cochise's shoes and Charlot's shoes? Compare and contrast their speeches and use quotes.
Monday, January 25th, 2010
New assignment:
Today, we read Cochise's speech, "I am alone." What happened to Cochise and his people? How does the genocide of Native Americans represent American identity and history? Do you feel the United States still engages in the same type of activity throughout the world in the 21st century? Write a one page paper discussing this.
New assignment:
Watch the movie "Avatar" and discuss how it relates to American history and colonialism. Write a two page paper on Avatar and relate it to some of the writing by Charlot and Cochise in your American literature book.
Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Please watch the video lecture on Simon Ortiz's poetry and begin writing your paper.
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Today, I will post a video lecture on the Native American poetry of Simon Ortiz.
Also, turn in your Langston Hughes paper and your E.E. Cummings paper. Follow MLA format. You can send the papers to raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com.
Read the poems "Earth and Rain, the Plants & Sun," "Vision Shadows," "Poems from the Veterans Hospital,"and "From Sand Creek." How does Ortiz describe nature in these poems, and how does his Native American heritage influence his poetry? You must write a three page paper describing nature imagery and symbolism from all four of these poems. Include at least one quote from each of the poems. Use MLA format. "From Sand Creek" deals with the loss of identity because of imperialism and colonialism; "Poems from the Veterans Hospital" describes the experiences of Native American veterans returning from the war; "Vision Shadows" is about the land and what has become of it; and "Earth and Rain, the Plants & Sun" deals with the theme of renewal and generations.
Today, we read Langston Hughes' poetry: "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," "I, Too, Sing America," "Mother To Son," "Mulatto," and "Song for a Dark Girl." Compare and contrast two of any of these poems. Discuss theme, symbolism, and irony.
Assignment: Write a two page essay on E.E. Cummings' poem "next to of course god america I."
We will emphasize poetry in the first part of the semester.
Saint Paul’s College: Department of Humanities & Behavioral Sciences
American Literature
Course Information: Instructor:
English 462-1 Dr. Comprone
Spring Semester 2010
Class Time: Office:
11-11:50 a.m. RH 136
Classroom: Office Hours:
RH 204 MWF 2-4 P. M. T R 2-3 P.M.
Office Phone: Credit Hours:
contact by email only 3
Email: raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com
Website: www.comprone.info
Pre-requisite: This course is an upper level course primarily designed for English majors.
Required Texts:
TBA
Selection of Texts:
In this course, we will be reading works in various genres of American literature.
Course Description:
This course is designed for upper level English students who are interested in developing a comprehensive understanding of American literature.
Course Rationale:
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to write effectively on the graduate level.
Course Goals, Objectives, and Corresponding Program Outcomes:
1 Students will complete 8 different in class essays on various works in the American literary tradition
2 Students will develop the ability to write at the graduate level
3 Students will develop critical thinking skills
4 Students will be able to use the tools of contemporary critical theory
Expectations for Student Behavior as Related to Course Objectives and Their Corresponding Program Outcomes:
Please arrange for meeting with me during office hours. Students must behave appropriately by: 1) avoiding talking when the professor is speaking, 2) being punctual (students will lose points for tardiness and excessive absences), 3) ALWAYS bringing their textbooks to class, 4) actively participating in class, 5) not plagiarizing, 6) avoiding the use of foul language and abusive behavior, 8) adhere to the dress code, 9) do not use any slang or inappropriate language in your speeches, and 10) being polite to other students.
The attendance policy is as follows:
Students missing more than 6 times (EXCUSED or UNEXCUSED) must WITHDRAW or receive a
failing grade of F.
This policy will be strictly enforced.
Students with 2 or less absences will receive an additional 10% for their final grade. Excused absences will not be factored into this calculation, e.g. a student who has three excused absences and no unexcused absences will not receive an additional 10% added to his or her final grade.
Students cannot obtain excuses for absences after the semester is over.
Class Format, Process, and Methods of Instruction:
Students can only receive incompletes upon permission by the instructor (an incomplete can only be filed for during the semester) and only if they are experiencing financial difficulties or a grave personal matter (I must be notified in person by the student or by a relative before the end of the semester). Excuses will only be accepted from the Provost's office. I will only accept assignments in person (do not slip any assignments under my office door--I am not responsible if any of these assignments should end up missing). It is the student's responsibility to make up any missing work and to check on his or her grade during the semester. Absolutely no excuses for absences can be issued after the semester is completed (if you do not show me the excuse during the semester--you have to show me the excuse in person, do not put it under my door--I will not give you an excuse--this applies to athletes as well). Athletes must personally give me a copy of their game schedule and indicate to me the days they will be absent. They must also make up any work and or missed instruction the day after their absence. ABSOLUTELY no grade changes are possible after the semester. Please check with me before the end of the semester to see if you have any outstanding work to complete.
In Class Exams and coursework: 50%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final Exam 20%
Participation, classwork, and attendance 10%
Grading Scale
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
59% and below F
Course Outline and Assignment Due Dates:
TBA
Tentative List of Assigned Readings and Assignments:
TBA
FINAL EXAM
Recommended Internet Sites: www.comprone.info for updates on assignments, syllabi, poetry club submissions (extra credit)
