American Lives Syllabi

8G:009

Syllabus

Adam Bradford

adam-bradford@uiowa.edu

(adamcbradford@gmail.com)

Office: 420 EPB, Hours – T: 9:30 -12:30

Mailbox: 308 EPB (below my name)

Tensions inherent in “American” identity were forever engraved on our most recognizable national monument when Emma Lazarus’s “The New Colossus” appeared on the base of the Statue of Liberty. In this poem, America symbolically speaks out, claiming the world’s “huddled masses yearning to breathe free” - while simultaneously naming them “the wretched refuse of your teeming shores.” In a remarkably resonant era, contemporary Americans are engaged in attempting to define and understand who is and what constitutes an “American.”

While this class may only occasionally take up this contemporary question for discussion, we will explore historically prominent ideologies of American identity – ideologies with powerful stories inscribing their own foundations. Refugees with a lust for freedom, rebels with a “righteous” cause, and second sons “making good.” America – as a geographical space, and political union – is much more complicated than these simple ideologies; but our reflections on these ideologies (through stories and images that embody them,) will help us better understand America in its contemporary political moment. In this class, we will explore how a variety of texts, film, and art reflect an individual’s attempt to negotiate their own sense of being an “American” in the larger social and political landscape of the United States of America. From the Early American period to the present, we will attempt to trace what it has meant, and means, to be “American.” This course will require two formal essays, a few informal assignments, a midterm and a final exam.

The following are required (Texts at Prairie Lights, Instructor Packet at Zephyr):

Chabon, Michael. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay (Picador)

Douglass, Frederic. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (Dover)

Hemingway, In Our Time (Simon and Schuster)

Holiday, Lady Sings the Blues (Penguin)

Ridge, The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta (Univ. of Oklahoma Pr.)

Whitman, Leaves of Grass (Penguin)

Instructor Prepared packet.

A few dollars for printing/copying

Coursework

Coursework will be assigned by the instructor and will consist of two formal essays, two exams, and a few informal assignments. Class participation is also a required part of this course, reflecting 15% of your final grade. Participation is composed of two factors – attendance and thoughtful, insightful engagement in class discussion. This latter component will be greatly aided by coming to class having read the assigned material carefully. Please do not underestimate the importance of this element in your coursework and grade.

Grading

Essay #1 20%

Essay #2 20%

Informal Assignments 20%

Midterm 10%

Final 15%

Participation 15%

Grades for the course will be given on an A,B,C,D,F scale (with plus and minuses), with a C representing the average and B, or A showing merit. A grade of D or lower means that you have not shown consistent work in your assignments, have not made suitable attempts to improve your work, and have not participated regularly in class discussions, thereby failing to meet the minimum requirements for this class.

Grades for assignments will be given on an A, B, C, D, F scale (with plus and minuses) with the exception of some of the informal assignments (in which case a 5-1 point scale may be used with 5 being the highest). To earn a C you must meet all of the basic requirements of the assignment (free from spelling and grammar errors), while producing competent college-level work. To earn a B you must produce well-crafted work that shows signs of revision, careful thought, and moments of real insight. To Earn an A you must produce outstanding, well-polished work that demonstrates significant effort, focused creativity and sustained insight. .I am happy to discuss grades with you during my office hours and by appointment. I cannot discuss grades over email.

Attendance

Your attendance is crucial to the success of this class, and to your overall grade. You cannot be a regular participant if you are not in attendance. Therefore, attendance in this course is required and will be taken daily. Repeated absences will unquestionably affect your participation grade and excessive absences (nine or more) may result in your failing the course. Excused absences are permitted, but require documentation on your return to class. Examples of excused absences include: illness, authorized University activities, religious holidays, etc. In addition, if you know you will be absent on a particular day, please see or email me in advance of the absence to discuss make-up work.

Late Work

Late work will be accepted with a 10% reduction in your work grade per day late for up to four calendar days. After four days, late work will no longer be accepted. Students whose excused University absence is known about ahead of time are responsible for turning in their work prior to the due date, or according to arrangements made with me well in advance of the absence. Students whose excused University absence is unplanned should email me as soon as they are aware they will be missing class to avoid being penalized – I reserve the right to enforce the late work reduction policy listed above should students fail to email me as indicated. All late work should be place in my mailbox in 308 EPB or given to me directly. Please be aware that EPB is not accessible on weekends or after 4:30 p.m.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas or words without acknowledging where you got them. Plagiarism constitutes cheating and is taken extremely seriously. Do Not Plagiarize. If you copy words or ideas from any source – published or unpublished – and do not use quotation marks and cite your source, you are committing plagiarism. I will assign a grade of “0” to any plagiarized work and refer the student to the college for further disciplinary action. Again, Do Not Plagiarize.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is reprehensible and will not be tolerated in this class or by the University. It subverts the mission of the University and threatens the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. Visit the sexual harassment awareness site at http://www.sexualharassment.uiowa.edu/ for definitions, assistance, and the full University policy.

Writing Center

The Writing Center can help you with all stages of the writing process--interpreting assignments, generating ideas, organizing your material, and editing. Enrollment hours for bi-weekly enrolled students are Monday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Appointment hours for all students are Monday through Thursday from 6 PM to 8 PM and on Friday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Satellite centers are available on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 6-8 PM and on Sunday from 7-9 PM. E-mail tutoring will be available throughout the fall semester. For an e-mail response to a draft or to a question, go to our web site at http://www.uiowa.edu/~writingc/ and click on E-mail Tutor on the main menu. On-line chat tutoring will be available on Sunday nights from 9-11 PM beginning Sept. 15th. More information about on-line chat tutoring will be available on the Writing Center web site. For further information about Writing Center services, call us at 335-0188 or e-mail us at writing-center@uiowa.edu.

Students With Disabilities

I would like to hear from anyone who has a disability that may require some modifications of seating, testing, or other class requirements so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Please see me during my office hours to discuss these matters.

Class Grievances

Please feel free to discuss with me any problem that arises within the context of this class. You are welcome to ask any questions or make any comments about what is happening in the course throughout the semester. If you ever feel that I have not given you a fair hearing, you may direct your concerns to the following people:

Coursework Concerns: Program Associates

64 EPB, 335-0484

Mark Bresnan, Laura Capp or Tom Keegan

Grade Concerns : Program Associates

64 EPB, 335-0484

All other Concerns: Brooks Landon, Program Director

Brooks-landon@uiowa.edu

376 EPB, 335-0641

Severe Weather Statement

The University of Iowa Operations Manual section 16.14 outlines appropriate responses to a tornado or to a similar crisis. If a tornado or other severe weather is indicated by the UI outdoor warning system, members of the class should seek shelter in rooms and corridors in the innermost part of a building at the lowest level, staying clear of windows, corridors with windows, or large free-standing expanses such as auditoriums and cafeterias. The class will resume, if possible, after the UI outdoor warning system announces that the severe weather threat has ended.

Add/Drop Notification

This course is given by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This means class policies on matters such as requirements, grading, and sanctions for academic dishonesty are governed by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students wishing to add or drop this course after the official deadline must receive the approval of the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Details of the University policy of cross enrollments may be found at: http://www.uiowa.edu/~provost/deos/crossenroll.doc

Course Schedule (Subject to Change)

Early American Constructions of Identity

1/22

Intro to Class – Chartier Preface (online)

1/24

What is an American? - Crevocouer (Packet)

Chartier Response Due

1/29

Selections from Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia (Packet)

1/31

Selections from Franklin’s Autobiography (Packet)

Assign Essay #1

Crises of Identity in 19^th Century America

2/5

Rip Van Winkle (Packet)

Film 1 - The Mark of Zorro

2/7

The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta (1-52)

2/12

The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta (52-109)

2/14

The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta (109-159)

2/19

Poe, Edgar Allen – Murders in the Rue Morgue (Packet)

Narrative of the Live of Frederick Douglass (1-34)

2/21

Narrative of the Live of Frederick Douglass (34-76)

2/26

Leaves of Grass (1-68)

2/28

Leaves of Grass (69-113)

3/4

Stephen Crane – The Mesmeric Mountain, The Duel Was Not Fought, The End of the Battle (packet)

Essay #1 Due

Shifting Identities – 20^th Century America

3/6

The Jazz Singer

3/11

In Our Time (1-50)

3/13

In Our Time (51-94)

3/18 - 20

Spring Break

3/25

In Our Time – (95-156)

3/27

Lady Sings the Blues (1-56)

4/1

Lady Sings the Blues (57-109)

4/3

Lady Sings the Blues (110-153)

4/8

Lady Sings the Blues (154-224)

MidTerm

Contemporary Convulsions

4/10

Film

4/15

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay (1-100)

Assign Essay #2

4/17

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay (100-200)

4/22

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay (200-300)

4/24

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay (300-400)

4/29

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay (400-550)

5/1

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay (550-636)

5/6-8

TBD

Essay #2 Due 5/8

Thursday -5/15

Final – 7:30 am Thursday, May 15th