English 3270, "The Frontier in American Literature"
ASSIGNMENTS AND POLICIES
GRADES:
Grades will be determined by three essay exams and two short papers. The
breakdown of the final grade is as follows:
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Examination #1
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20%
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Examination #2
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20%
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Close Reading
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20%
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In-Class Writings
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10%
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Final Examination
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30%
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100%
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EXAMINATIONS:
Examinations are essay style. They will not be graded on grammar and/or
spelling. The first two examinations will ask you to write two short essays
comparing and/or contrasting themes (central ideas) presented in the works of
literature during the pervious section of the course. The final examination
will ask you to write one short essay comparing and/or contrasting themes in
works read and films viewed during the last section of the course and will also
have a longer essay comparing and/or contrasting themes in works read
throughout the semester. All exams are open-book, open-note.
CLOSE READING:
The close reading will be a short analysis of a work read or film viewed for
class. A work read or film viewed outside of class can be used if approved by
the professor before turning in the analysis. We will discuss in class the
format that the close reading should take.
The close reading will be three to four pages long. These are not research
papers, though use of one to three outside sources is fine. Papers must be
typed.
IN-CLASS WRITINGS:
There will be several short (1-2 paragraph), unannounced essay responses to
-reading assignments done throughout the semester. These are open-book and
require the student to interpret one or more of the works read for the class
(and, sometimes, earlier assignments).