Works will be discussed on the days given in the course schedule. All students are responsible for all assigned readings with the following exceptions. For both the Vinland sagas and William Byrd's histories, the class will be divided, each student reading one of two works (either the Grænlendinga Saga or Eirik's Saga from the Vinland sagas and either the History or the Secret History for Byrd's histories). Students assigned to the work on the schedule for that day will be responsible for leading the discussion. For Phillis Wheatley's poems, each student will be responsible for leading the discussion on a single assigned poem.

Grades:
Grades will be determined by a close reading, a research paper, several in-class writings, and a final essay exam. The breakdown of the final grade is as follows:

	Close Reading	30%
	Research Paper	40%
	In-Class Writings	10%
	Final Examination	20%
		100%

Close Reading:
Each student will do a 5-page typed close reading of a work from the syllabus. The idea is to interpret from your own perspective as a modern reader. What is an important point the work makes and what in the work brings across this point? As a close reading, there is no research requirement, though a few (no more than two or three) well-chosen sources to provide background can be useful.

Research Paper:
Each student will do an 8-10 page typed research paper on one or more works of early American literature. The topic is the student's choice. Works not on the syllabus may be used, but check with the professor beforehand to get approval. Your analysis should be based on your own reading of the texts and on outside research, i.e., secondary sources. Your secondary sources should be used to help develop your own ideas and to show how your ideas compare (or contrast) with those other people have expressed about the same work or general topic. Secondary sources might include critical readings of the works, theoretical texts (e.g., literary theory, psychological theory, philosophy, etc.), histories, and so forth. It is a good idea to discuss your paper with the professor as you formulate your ideas. Papers must use MLA documentation format.

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 students to analyze works assigned for that particular class period (and, sometimes, earlier assignments).

Examination:
The final exam will be an in-class essay comparing five of the works on the syllabus on a single theme topic. How are their theme ideas on that topic similar to and/or different from one another. The essay can be prepared for in advance, including development of an outline, and is open-book, open-note. However, the essay itself must be written during the exam period.