America In Print

AML 4225/Office: 4348 TUR/Office Hours W 1:00-4:00 or by appointment
Prof. Stephanie A. Smith/ssmith@ufl.edu

The United States of America, as a political experiment in “democracy”--a form of government, “of the people, by the people, for the people,”--rested on Enlightenment principles. However, it could not have come into existence without the power of print. A lively print culture, and the subsequent dissemination of the “word,” not only made America possible, it almost dissolved the government as well.

Meanwhile, as the political experiment grew, so did America’s ambition to have an indigenous “culture.” In 1846, critic and writer Margaret Fuller published an essay titled, “American Literature: Its Position in the Present Time, and Prospects for the Future,” in which she surveyed the field, as it were, of her time and made predictions for the future – our future. Returning to our founding documents, and to that essay as dual launching points, this class is going to re-examine our 19th-century “American” print culture heritage, what it was, what it might mean or have meant, and where our “literary” heritage went after 1846, with a particular focus on print as a medium, the publishing industry and American print culture of the 19th century.

Margaret Fuller's essay "American Literature"
“Declaration of Independence” 1776
The United States Constitution 1791
“Constitution of the Confederacy”
Doctorow, E.L. The March
Douglass, Frederick, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
“Emancipation Proclamation”
 “Gettysburg Address”
Hawthorne, Nathaniel, The Scarlet Letter
Captivity Narratives Overview
Melville, Herman, Moby Dick
Study Guide to Moby Dick
Oatman, Olive and Lorenzo, The Captivity of the Oatman Girls Among the Apache and Mohave Indiana
An Essay on Billy Budd
Whitman's Poetry
Melville's Poetry
Wilson, Harriet Our Nig

All book titles will be available at Goerings Bookstore 1717 1st Ave. 377-3703.

Requirements
class participation                        25%
reading journal:                           25%
mid-term project:                         20%                           
final paper+ presentation:           30%

1.   Class participation means you will be in class, promptly WITH THE READING.  If you are more than 15 minutes late, DO NOT COME TO CLASS; ditto if you don't have the reading.  You have three days of grace to be absent; after hat your grade will suffer 3 points off the final grade for every day missed. Regular class attendance by itself does not constitute good class participation—you are required to add to class discussion, to answer questions, pose questions and do all in class assignments.
2.    Reading responses:  I will ask you specific questions to reflect upon the work you have been reading. These will be graded S/U. You will have one week from the day I hand back the journal page to revise it, should you get a U. At the end of the semester, I will give you a letter grade for the # of S's and U's you get. Here is how the letter grade works: All S = A, 1 U, rest S=B etc.


3.   Mid-term and final TBA.The minimum requirement for a C is that your writing be clear, coherent, and organized with no repeated faults in grammar; higher grades depend upon the logical development of your ideas, the nuance and strength of your analysis, etc. All written work, with the exception of in-class, must printed on white, 8 1/2 x 11" paper, with 1-inch margins on all sides; typeface must be legible, 10-12 picas.

WARNING:  I regret having to remind you that plagiarism is a serious offense. All students are required to abide by the Academic Honesty Guidelines, which have been accepted by the University. The academic community of students and faculty at the University of Florida strives to develop, sustain and protect an environment of honesty, trust and respect. Students are expected to pursue knowledge with integrity. Exhibiting honesty in academic pursuits and reporting violations of the Academic Honesty Guidelines will encourage others to act with integrity. Violations of the Academic Honesty Guidelines shall result in judicial action and a student being subject to the sanctions in paragraph XIV of the Student Conduct Code. The conduct set forth hereinafter constitutes a violation of the Academic Honesty Guidelines (University of Florida Rule 6C1_4.017).For more information about academic honesty, including definitions of plagiarism and collusion, see:  http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/academic.php

Please turn off cell-phones during class time; if you need to leave the classroom during class, please be sure to and leave with discretion. You will be marked absent if you are gone more than 10 minutes; unless you have an official disability that requires laptop use in the class, please do not use laptops during class; if you need sleep, please stay home and sleep; please do not be rude, either to me, or to your fellow students. It is the policy of The University of Florida to provide an educational and working environment for its students, faculty and staff that is free from sex discrimination and sexual harassment. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment. Sex discrimination and sexual harassment will not be tolerated, and individuals who engage in such conduct will be subject to disciplinary action. The University encourages students, faculty, staff and visitors to promptly report sex discrimination and sexual harassment. For more about the University of Florida policies regarding harassment, see the University of Florida Student Conduct Code at http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/conductcode.php and policies regarding harassment at
http://wwwhr.ufl.edu/eeo/sexharassment.html

The Disability Resource Center in the Dean of Students Office provides students and faculty with information and support regarding accommodations for students with disabilities in the classroom. Staff at the Disability Resource Center will assist any student who registers as having a disability. Official documentation of a disability is required to determine eligibility for appropriate classroom accommodations. The professional employees at the Disability Resource Program serve as full-time advocates for students with disabilities ensuring students have physical and programmatic access to all college programs. For more information about Student Disability Services, see: http://www.ufl.edu/disability/