Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Course Information
LIT 3327.05A
JO 4.102 TR 1:00 – 5:30
Dr. Ingrao
Office: JO 5.306
Office Hours: TR 11:30 – 12:30 and by appointment
Office Phone: 883 – 6089
Email: jingrao@utdallas.edu
Course Description
LIT 3327 (3 semester hours) surveys American literature from about 1945 to about 1980. The
course examines literary trends by sampling such writers as the Beats, the confessional poets,
Pynchon, Capote, and Morrison, and considers such topics as metafiction, feminism, the black
arts movement, and the new journalism.
This course seeks to offer students the potential to: 1) Sample literary trends and movements in
American literature from about 1945 to about 1980 as expressions of particular ideological
viewpoints; 2) Sample key American writers from about 1945 to about 1980; 3) Consider the
manner in which this specific literary period fits into the larger scope of American literature;
4) Read texts assigned in the course as responses both to other assigned texts and the time of their
production.
Course Syllabus 2
Textbooks are available at the UTD Bookstore, Off Campus Books, and commercially. Use only
the following editions:
Many of the readings for this course will be accessed through e-reserve. These readings are
marked as e-reserve on the syllabus. A syllabus is also available as a Word document through
e-reserve should a printed copy be misplaced. To access e-reserve:
http://utdallas.docutek.com/eres/coursepage.aspx?cid=633
2. Next, you will be asked for a password. The password is “gonzo.” After you enter the
password, click “Accept.”
A list of e-reserve materials should appear. Click on the needed reading for a PDF version or
web link.
May 26:
May 28:
June 2:
June 4:
• Third collaborative learning group presents: Plath’s “Daddy” and “Lady Lazarus”
(e-reserve)
• Deconstruction and Metafiction
• Barthelme, “The Balloon” (e-reserve)
• Cheever, “The Swimmer” (e-reserve)
• Pynchon, “Entropy” (e-reserve)
• The New Journalism
• Discuss In Cold Blood, pages 3-57
• Review for first exam
June 9:
June 11:
June 16:
• Fifth collaborative learning group presents: Baldwin’s “Going to Meet the Man”
(e-reserve)
• Sixth collaborative learning group presents: Hayden’s “Middle Passage”
(e-reserve)
• Walker, “Everyday Use” (e-reserve)
• Discuss The Bluest Eye, pages 3-93
June 18:
June 23:
June 25:
July 2:
Grading Policy
Letter grades correspond to the following numerical values in calculating a student’s semester
grade:
B+ 3.33 D+ 1.33
B 3.00 D 1.00
B- 2.67 D- 0.67
A--represents outstanding participation in all course activities; all assigned work completed on
time, with very high quality and original thought in all work produced for the course.
B--represents excellent participation in all course activities; all assigned work completed on time,
with consistently high quality in course work.
C--represents good to average participation in course activities; all assigned work completed,
with generally good overall quality in course work.
D--represents uneven participation in course activities; some gaps in assigned work completed,
with inconsistent quality in course work.
F--represents minimal participation in course activities; serious gaps in assigned work completed,
or very low quality in course work.
In addition to regular attendance, this course requires four major assignments that will be used in
determining a semester grade:
A) Context: Discuss the work’s place in the particular time that it was
produced, as well as its place in the broader scope of an author’s
corpus. In terms of biography, take care. Mention only cogent
biographical fact.
B) Literature Review: How have critics responded to the particular
work or works assigned over time? In some cases where critical
response to a particular work is scarce, students might focus on how
critics have responded to the author’s larger body of works. At least
Course Syllabus 6
Though students will present in groups, grades will be individual and based upon
performance during the presentation. “Performance,” in this context, will be defined
by the combined total of four categories evaluated by the instructor:
A) Clear spoken delivery of material (the student does not stammer or hesitate in
presenting the information, the student can be heard, and so on).
B) Clear organization of ideas presented.
C) Content.
D) Response to questions (every student will receive at least one from the
instructor if not from peers).
Each category will receive a letter grade worth 25% of the final assignment grade.
The final assignment grade, before any potential deductions, will be the average of
these four letter grades (see “Grading Policy” above for the numerical value of letter
grades used in calculation).
Failure to submit an evaluation on time (at the beginning of the class period on the
date that the student has been scheduled to present with his or her classmates) will
also result in a deduction from the student’s presentation grade. For example, a
student receives a B+ on the assignment but fails to turn in an evaluation at the
beginning of class. The grade will drop to a B.
Be sure to note all due dates on the daily academic calendar. The instructor reserves the right
to refuse make-up assignments or exams without a valid excuse. Inform the instructor—in
advance if possible—if a valid reason for being absent exists, and be prepared to document all
legitimate excuses. Legitimate excuses for missing class include only the following:
Vacation plans, travel plans, work-related absences, and so on do not constitute excused absences
under this policy.
Course Syllabus 8
Students seeking to make up an exam must first present documentation of a valid excuse before
the make-up exam can be scheduled. Students will have one week (seven days; this does include
weekends) from the original exam date to take the make-up exam. Students should be aware that
the make-up exam will differ from the in-class exam in content. Though the format of the exam
will be the same, students seeking to make up the first exam, for example, should expect to be
asked different short answer questions than those presented on the in-class exam.
Due to the fast pace of this course and the amount of material that will be covered during each
class period, a student will be allowed one unexcused absence for the five weeks. Students with
one or no unexcused absences for the semester will receive five points of extra credit towards
their lowest assignment grade.
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. Students who are not present at
this time will be counted absent unless a documented valid excuse is presented. Two fifteen
minutes breaks are possible each class. Leaving during a class break will also constitute an
absence for the day unless a documented valid excuse is presented.
This course is conducted according to strict codes of academic honesty. All cases of cheating
will be fully investigated. Penalties for cheating may include failing an exam, failing the course,
or suspension and expulsion from the University. Students are expected to know the University’s
policies and procedures on such matters, as well as those governing student services, conduct, and
obligations.
Please contact the instructor with any questions concerning these polices.
______________________________________________________________________________
Technical Support
If students experience any problems with their UTD accounts they may send an email to:
assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911.
Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and
University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information
regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website address
http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm. Additional information is
available from the office of the school dean. Below is a description of any travel and/or risk-
related activity associated with this course.
N/A
The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and
regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility
of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and
regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student
conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD printed publication, A to Z Guide, which
is provided to all registered students each academic year.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the
Rules and Regulations, Series 50000, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System,
and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the University’s Handbook of
Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in
the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in
interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391) and online at
http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/UTDJudicialAffairs-HOPV.html
A student at the University neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of
citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the
Regents’ Rules, University regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to
discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or
off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work
done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high
standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from
any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the University’s policy on
plagiarism (see general catalog for details).
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making
of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials, including music and
software. Copying, displaying, reproducing, or distributing copyrighted works may
infringe the copyright owner’s rights and such infringement is subject to appropriate
disciplinary action as well as criminal penalties provided by federal law. Usage of such
material is only appropriate when that usage constitutes “fair use” under the Copyright
Act. U.T. Dallas students are required to follow the institution’s copyright policy (Policy
Memorandum 84-I.3-46). For more information about the fair use exemption, see
http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/copypol2.htm
Course Syllabus 10
Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication
between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises
some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange.
The University encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a
student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from
students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the
University to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individuals
corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each
student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with University
personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method
for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.
The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level
courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog.
Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle
withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, the professor cannot drop or
withdraw any student. Students must do the proper paperwork to ensure that they will not
receive a final grade of "F" in a course if they choose not to attend the class once they are
enrolled.
NOTE: May 29th is the last day to drop this course without incurring a W.
Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
Activities, of the University’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations.
Course Syllabus 11
As per University policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably
missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An
incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the
subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the
incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is
changed automatically to a grade of F.
Disability Services
If a student anticipates issues related to the format or requirements of this course, please
meet with the Coordinator of Disability Services. The Coordinator is available to discuss
ways to ensure full participation in the course. If a student determines that formal,
disability-related accommodations are necessary, it is very important that he or she be
registered with Disability Services to notify them of eligibility for reasonable
accommodations. Disability Services can then plan how best to coordinate
accommodations.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty
members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations.
Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or
during office hours.
The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required
activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose
places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas
Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible
regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused,
will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time
after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one
week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or
assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the
Course Syllabus 12
exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that
exam or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose
of observing a religious holy day], or if there is similar disagreement about whether the
student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or
examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief
executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or
designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student
and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.