The exploration of a?thematic, historic, social, economic or gender found in the readings this semester, would be the examination of a variety of

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Professor Joseph McElligott
 English 307 – The Novel [email protected] 
 Thursday – Zoom – 6:00 – 8:40 PM 
 Office Hours: Zoom – Thursday 4:00-5:00 PM 
 718-960-8680 
 
 Course Description – Topics in The Novel— Course Catalogue Description: Intensive study of book-length fictional narratives – from non-Western and BIPoC authors as well as from the European, British, and/or U.S. canons. Attention to the history and politics of the genre: for example, its centrality to capitalism and colonialism as well as to their contestation. The goal of this course is the successful completion and analysis of the following texts: 
 
 “The Gangsters” By Colson Whitehead 
 The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 
 Brown Girls: A Novel by Daphne Palasi Andreades
 The Man Who Lived Underground by Richard Wright 
 
 Personal identity, social responsibility, moral virtue, society, social values and justice, class distinction and cultural forces are timeless issues, all found in these novels and are just as relevant today as they were when they were written. 
 
 Course Goals: During our exploration of these novels special attention will be paid to the evolution of the genre from the eighteenth century to the present. Our goal, which will be accomplished through literary technique, will be to explore thematic, historical, social, economic, gender and political concerns found during these historical time periods. We will also examine a variety of narrative structures and the indispensable elements used in the creation of the novel. This will include: title, author, publisher, setting, characters, foreshadowing, plot, theme, symbolism, imagery, language, and tone. 


Course Objectives: In order to achieve mastery and create a deeper understanding of the history of the novel and its properties, our journey starts at the very foundation of our language, which is Standard English grammar. It is essential that all reading assignments take into consideration multiple viewpoints including social, historical, and political perspectives. In addition to these perspectives, we will also investigate the rise of the novel and corresponding historical advances. Further analysis of the novel will include questions of personal identity, individual and civic responsibility and social justice. Your critical analysis should also take into consideration many of the social conditions that individuals have historically encountered during the various settings. In order to achieve an in depth understanding of the novels, I will provide numerous links to a variety of web pages and handouts. Other relevant themes of the novels that will be discussed in class include, the quest for social and economic justice, the pursuit of wealth

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at any cost and the resulting fragmentation and stratification of society. The final research paper will be used as barometer in determining your mastery of the numerous literary components that make up a novel. 
 
 E-Mail–Only Lehman College e-mail addresses will be accepted, all other addresses will be automatically deleted. When sending any e-mail, please request a delivery/read receipt of confirmation and print a copy for your records. It there is no record of confirmation; there is no substantiation. If you have any concerns or problems with your Lehman College e-mail address or password, contact the computer Helpdesk at 718-960-1111 immediately. Lehman College e- mail is the only accepted format for correspondence.

• Class participation and Attendance. You are expected to arrive on time and to stay for the complete class. You are expected to participate in all class discussions and to attend all classes, barring any verifiable emergency situation. Habitual lateness to any extent will be counted as absence, and will seriously affect your class participation grade. It is the responsibility of the student (after class) to ensure that a mark of absent is changed in case of late arrival. More than two unexcused absences will jeopardize your final grade. Four absences will be reason for failure.

• There will be 1 required research paper of 6-8 pages in length assigned this semester. The final paper is due on the last day of class. Late papers will not be accepted under any circumstances.

• There will be weekly in-class review at the beginning of each class summarizing your previous readings.

• Students should be prepared to discuss at length all assigned readings thoroughly in class. If absent, it is your responsibility to get any coursework that you missed and submit any assignments when due that may have been given.

• For your protection, please make back-up copies of all materials and maintain hard copies of your writing. 


• Late Paper Policy–Late papers will not be accepted under any circumstances, period. 
 
 Reflections and Correspondence
 a. The use of Lehman College e-mail is mandatory for all correspondence. In the subject line please enter your FULL NAME, CLASS and EMPL ID NUMBER 
 Example: WINSTON SMITH ENGLISH 336 19844891 
 
 b. All written papers (reflections and final paper) must be submitted in MLA format (see sample document under Course Documents on Blackboard). 
 
 c. All submissions must be posted on Blackboard the day prior to class by 11:59PM (NO EXTENSIONS). 


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 e. There are no extensions, make-ups or extra credit assignments. 
 
 f. Absent? It is your responsibility to post your assignment on Blackboard on time. Late papers will not be accepted. 
 
 Use of Technology and Blackboard Information 


Blackboard – We will be using a Blackboard site for much of the class activities. It can be accessed through the Lehman website at www.lehman.cuny.edu. We will go over how to access the site and its topography during the first week of class. If you have any questions about your Lehman email address or your password, or if you have any problems accessing the site please call the computer Helpdesk at 718-960-1111.


 Accommodating Disabilities Lehman College is committed to providing access to all programs and curricula to all students. Students with disabilities who may need classroom accommodations are encouraged to register with the Office of Student Disability Services. 
 For more information, please contact the Office of Student Disability Services, Shuster Hall, Room 238, telephone number, 718-960-8441. 


• The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) and the Science Learning Center (SLC) Lehman College has two tutoring centers on campus. The ACE provides appointment based and drop-in tutoring in the humanities, social sciences, and writing, as well as general writing skills and test preparation workshops for the CPE. The SCL provides drop-in tutoring for natural and computer science courses. To obtain more information about the ACE and the SLC, please visit their website at http://www.lehman.edu/issp, or please call the ACE at 718-960-8175, and the SLC at 718-960-7707. 


• Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else’s ideas or words as your own. Plagiarism also means the failure to give credit for the source of another's words or ideas, or–as in the use of borrowed or purchased papers–passing off another person's work as one's own. It is a serious academic offense and may result in a failing grade for the assignment, a failing grade for the course, and/or university disciplinary action. For more details about the university’s policy on this issue, see the University Catalog. If you are unsure about how to integrate others’ ideas or words into your work without plagiarizing, consult your English handbook and/or come talk to me. (Section 213-b of the New York State Education Law) prohibits the sale of term papers, essays, and research reports to students enrolled in a college. 


• Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy

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There will be zero tolerance for plagiarism in this class. If you plagiarize you will fail the course, period. The official policy is available in the student handbook. 
 
 http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/student.affairs/documents/student-handbook-02.pdf.

Assigned Readings

All readings (books) for the class are available on Blackboard. These readings must be completed by the due date as they appear on the syllabus. 
 
 “The Gangsters” By Colson Whitehead 
 The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 
 Brown Girls: A Novel by Daphne Palasi Andreades 
 The Man Who Lived Underground by Richard Wright 
 
 Grading Assessment Students' grades are based on the following:

15% In-class presentation

25% Class attendance and participation

30% Midterm

30% Outline, Draft and Final Paper 


ACTIVITIES PERCENTAGES

Weekly Reflections 20%

Participation (includes class attendance) 20%

Midterm 20%

Paper Outline 10%

Paper Draft 10%

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Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy – There will be zero tolerance for plagiarism in this

class. If you plagiarize you will fail the course, period. The official policy is available in the

student handbook. 


http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/student.affairs/documents/student-handbook-02.pdf.


 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in any educational program receiving federal financial assistance. Sexual harassment, which includes acts of sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX, and is considered a Civil Rights offense. Lehman College encourages anyone experiencing harassment, discrimination or sexual misconduct to talk to a faculty member, counselor, or staff; confidential resources are available through the Lehman Counseling Center at (718) 960-8761.

Final Research Paper and Essay Grading Standards

A – An essay graded "A" excels in both content and style. It presents a clear central thesis, which is effectively developed throughout the paper. It contains interesting and original ideas, which are organized in a logical structure. Paragraphs are unified, coherent, and well developed. The "A" paper relies on support that is sufficient, appropriate, and effective. Transitions within and between paragraphs are fluent and guide the reader along a clear line of reasoning. Sentences are varied in structure and consistently correct. Vocabulary is well chosen, specific, and precise. The "A" paper contains few, if any, errors in form, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

F – An essay may be graded "F" for any one or more of the following reasons. It may lack a thesis and display no clear logical pattern. Development may lack complexity, may be repetitive, or may be unduly brief. Paragraphs may be absent or undeveloped and disorganized. Numerous mechanical and grammatical errors may impede the clear communication of ideas. Occasionally a paper will be graded "F" because it does not respond to the assignment. (Standards are adapted from the National Council of Teachers of English).

Final Paper 20%

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Week 1 February 2, 2022 Introductions, expectations and course overview. Reading: “The Gangsters” By Colson Whitehead.

Week 2 February 9, 2022 Reading/Workshop: “The Gangsters” By Colson Whitehead Reading: J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye. 1-50.

Week 3 February16, 2022 Reading/Workshop: J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. 
 Reading: 50 – 100.

Week 4 February 23, 2022 Reading/Workshop: Reading/Workshop: J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye. Reading 100 – 150.

Week 5 March 2, 2022 Reading/Workshop: J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. Readings 100 – 150 
 Reading: 150 – End.

Week 6 March 9, 2022 Reading/Workshop: J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. Pages 150 – End. 
 Brown Girls: A Novel by Daphne Palasi Andreades

Week 7 March 16, 2022 Reading/Workshop: Brown Girls: A Novel by Daphne Palasi Andreades Reading:

Week 8 March 23, 2022 Midterm 
 Reading: Brown Girls: A Novel by Daphne Palasi Andreades

Week 9 March 30, 2022 No Classes – Spring Break. 
 Reading: Brown Girls: A Novel by Daphne Palasi Andreades

Week 10 April 68, 2022 Reading/Workshop: Brown Girls: A Novel by Daphne Palasi Andreades 
 Reading: Richard Wright – The Man Who Lived Underground

Week 11 April 13, 2022 Reading/Workshop: Richard Wright – The Man Who Lived Underground 
 Reading

Week 12 April 27, 2022 Reading/Workshop: Richard Wright – The Man Who Lived Underground

Week 13 May 4, 2022 Reading/Workshop: Richard Wright – The Man Who Lived Underground

Week 14 May 11, 2022 Reading/Workshop: 
 Final Paper Presentation 
 Final Paper Due