2018 English 241 syllabus Essays - Writers, American Writers

English 241: Survey of American Literature I Fall 2018 MWF 10-10:50, Rm. 827 Instructor: Dr. Justin R. Wert E-mail: [emailprotected] Office Phone: 961-6559 Office Location: 214 Dickinson Office Hours: M 11-2; TuTh 12:30-2; W 11-12, 1-2; F 11-12 Required Materials: 1) The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 9th Edition. Vols. A (ISBN# 978-0-393-93571-4) and B (ISBN# 978-0-393-26447-0) 2) The House of the Seven Gables, Nathaniel Hawthorne. Norton Critical Edition, 2006 (ISBN # 0-393-92476-9) 3) A novel of your choice-see American Novels list (last pg. of this syllabus) 4) two flat folders with pockets ? This course is a Writing Intensive Course, English 111 and 112 are pre- requisites for this course. You must have completed both of those courses to be eligible to take this class. This course has extensive reading and writing requirements, including the following items: . You will read 5 book-length works (novels and non-fiction), 28 essays and stories, and more than 50 poems. . You will write a 7-8 page term paper and 31 reading responses. ? Course Description/Objectives: English 241 provides an introduction to American literature from the colonial period to the Civil War. The course will focus on major authors & their works as windows upon human experience: Description: . Each literary work provides a window upon human experience. In other words, the work reflects the author's perceptions of American history/culture, psychology, social mores, gender, philosophy, music/art and/or other elements of the American experience. . Students will identify major authors and their works as well as major themes & concepts of the three different time periods in American Literature: from the colonial period to the Civil War. Students will analyze these themes/concepts and assess how and why they are essential to the development of American Literature. Objectives: . Students will identify major authors and their works. . Students will identify major themes & concepts. . Students will analyze and apply these themes/concepts and assess how and why they are essential to the development of American Literature and how and why American literature has influenced American culture overall. . Upon completion of this writing-intensive course, students should be able to: Use the writing process, including pre-writing and revision strategies, to complete essays; Support their ideas in writing with specific details and evidence; Structure their ideas in an organized format; Edit their writing according to the rules of standard academic English; Evaluate their sources for credibility and academic appropriateness; Employ techniques for integrating information, such as paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting; Exhibit the ability to think critically; Demonstrate, through their writing, familiarity with the College's standard, evaluative writing rubric; and Cite sources using an appropriate documentation style. CENTRAL QUESTIONS/MAJOR THEMES: for class discussion/tests/exam COLONIAL: 1500's to Revolutionary War . What was the relationship between American colonizers (Columbus & de las Casas) and the native populations? What was the relationship between the American colonists and England/Europe (Bradford/Morton/Bradstreet/Crevecouer/Franklin) . What were the roles of women/minorities in colonial America & American Renaissance? (Bradstreet/Wheatley) NATIONAL: 1780's-1830's/Transcendentalism . Why/how did American literature begin/grow from colonial period to 1820? . What is Transcendentalism? How is it practiced by Emerson/Thoreau? Who are the predecessors to Transcendentalism? Who was influenced by Emerson/Thoreau and why? Who was outside/skeptical of Transcendentalist movement? Why? (Poe, Hawthorne, Melville) AMERICAN RENAISSANCE: 1830's-Civil War . What was the American Renaissance? Which authors were included/excluded from F.O. Matthiessen's 1940 book, American Renaissance? Why? . Major themes/directions of writing (religion, philosophy, natural phenomena, individualism vs. industrialism, individualism vs. communal, abolitionism) . Why/how did American literature begin/grow from colonial period to 1820? And from 1820 to 1865 (American Renaissance period) . What were the roles of women/minorities in colonial America & American Renaissance? (Douglass/Dickinson) . Poetry: What are old poetic traditions continued in American lit. And what are the new directions? (Fireside poets, Poe, Dickinson, Whitman) ? The Four Components of the Course: 1) Tests (40%) 2) Responses to Readings/In-Class Writing (20%) 3) Final Exam (20%) 4) Term Paper (20%) 1) Tests (40% of final grade): . We will have 2 Tests (20% each). Each test will be TBA. However, the 2 tests will be given at the end of the first 2 reading lists. So when we finish a reading list expect a test at the next class. 2) Responses to Readings/In-Class Writing (20% of final grade) . You will respond in writing to numerous essays, letters, poems, stories, and

Legalized same-sex adoption Essay Example

Legalized same Legalized same-sex adoption Essay Legalized same-sex adoption Essay Legalized same-sex adoption has become the most popular issue in the political debate. It has become a big question whether same-sex couples possess a God-given privilege to adopt children (since they are unable to produce children). Supporters of gay adoption say argue that homosexual parents would be good examples for genetically-predestined homosexual kids. Others consider this as a foolish idea as not many children turn out to be homosexual adults. Same sex adoption is notorious as it is totally against the Christian moral code. Traditional and original Christian principles oppose gay marriage and gay adoption. Let us examine how the Christian philosopher Saint Thomas Aquinas would approach the topic of ‘traditional Christianity and gay adoption’ Thomas Aquinas said that every law should reflect the common good. According to him, the law must help shape one’s lifestyle. Thomas Aquinas defined three types of law; eternal law, natural law, and human law. Thomas Aquinas defined natural law as the involvement of the person in the eternal law. According to him, natural law is the natural inclination to the proper end. He explained human law as the application of natural law. Human law is never outdated and conventional as it is accepted and followed by various communities. The issues like the legalization of gay adoption happen when the strictly defined civic law comes at odds with the natural law and overcomes it. Gay marriage and gay adoption becomes legal where natural law is seldom considered. Traditional Christian theology has always been against unnatural followings. For example, while saying about the city of Sodom in Genesis 19, we can find that â€Å"the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord ( Gen. 19:13). Sodom broke the natural law of union between a man and woman. Then anger of Lord rose against Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed it. Traditional Christian theory has always been against all unnatural practices among human beings. Christianity encourages natural relationship between a man and women where they bring about children. While going through the eyes of Christian philosophers like Thomas Aquinas we can say that they would verily oppose gay adoption as they did for gay marriage. If gay marriage is unnatural, gay adoption is also unnatural. Christian theology defines sex as a means to bring about children. Aquinas had considered ultra-conservative views of the church on the topic of sexuality and attempted to rationalize them by introducing his own natural law. According to Thomas Aquinas any form of sex where the intention to produce children is not involved is sin. He says that sex is purely for the purpose of reproduction to ensure the continuance of the human race, only in the context of a monogamous relationship, and not for simple physical pleasure. Thomas Aquinas who defends the normal relationship between a man and woman would never appreciate the abnormal means of brought up of children. Aquina s who considers sex as the means of child production would never find it natural to entrust gay couples with children. He may find gay adoption as unnatural as gay marriage. According to Thomas Aquinas all humans are part of Gods plan and therefore subject to eternal law, where we are guided to Gods supernatural end in a higher way (47). He says that everybody should follow Gods eternal law through a natural law. Something is supposed to be part of natural law if there is a natural inclination to it and if nature does not produce the contrary, (51-52). Unnatural sex is opposed by both Old Testament and New Testament Bible .According to Jude 7 Sodom and Gomorrah acted immorally and indulged in unnatural lust. In the book of Ezekiel we can find that â€Å"Sodom committed abominable things (Ezek. 16:50) (homosexual and heterosexual actions). People of Sodom and Gomorrah preferred unnatural behaviors. They did not accept the virgin daughters of Lot. Homosexual actions are abominable thing that set off God’s wrath. No Christian theology can support any aspect of these unnatural behaviors. Gay marriage is detestable in the eyes of Lord. Book of Leviticus says that You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. . . . If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death, their blood is upon them (Lev. 18:22, 20:13). Christian theology support normal marriage and normal bring up of children by their parents. Sex is considered to be exclusively for chi ld birth. Unnatural homosexual behavior is opposed by every aspect of Christian theology. Thomas Aquinas says that promiscuity is contrary to the nature of man because to bring up a child requires both the care of the mother who nourishes him and even more the care of the father to train and defend him and to develop him in internal and external endowments (78). Aquinas is against the practice of a male should have the option of leaving a female who has had a child even if it is properly provided for, making an indirect case against divorce (79). Aquinas thus would never support gay adoption and he was always against the concept of gay marriage. Angelo Amato, Titular Archbishop of Sila Secretary the philosopher had a similar approach to morality, human nature, and good life. Angelo Amato’s thoughts are in agreement with that of Aquinas’s. According to him, â€Å"the approval or legalization of evil (homosexual couples) is something far different from the toleration of evil†. The natural law includes the law of sexual intercourse and the education and protection of offspring. He also defends the natural law (natural sexual relationship between a man and woman). Angelo Amato is also against the unnatural sexual intercourse and brought up of children. He thus never opposes the concepts of gay marriage as well as gay adoption. Angelo Amato said that the protection of offspring should be by the natural parents. Keeping the children under homosexual couples is unnatural and ultimately brings no good. Marriage is supposed to be for sex and reproduction. Homosexuality, gay marriage and gay marriage are against t he natural intuition. Gay marriage and gay adoption are against the goals of the state. It is against traditional Christianity. Angelo Amato thus supported Thomas Aquinas. Thomas Aquinas said that â€Å"when God created us, he gave us natural instincts that reflect the general moral principles of natural law†. According to him, God has implanted an instinctive intuition in every human being, which should be used for a good purpose. The instinctive intuitions embedded on humans make them live, reproduce and live as rational creatures. According to Thomas Aquinas, human beings possess an innate moral consciousness. This innate moral consciousness or synderesis is an intuitive habit; it is a vulnerable habit. Aquinas says that â€Å"Our instinctive synderesis faculty informs us of the highest principle of natural law: we should act according to our proper end† Gay marriage and gay adoption are against the natural institutive intuition that is implanted on human beings by God. Bible says that â€Å"cursed is the man who sleeps with an animal†. Traditional Christian theology is thus against all forms of unnatural physical relationship. Thomas Aquinas’ theories have defended the Christian principles on relationships. Everything that is unnatural are forbidden by the Christian theology and therefore by Thomas Aquinas. Children are supposed to be under the care of their natural parents. The Christian evaluation of gay adoption is similar to that of gay marriage.

Macroeconomics Term Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Macroeconomics Term Paper - Essay Example The financial crisis will shed its impacts around the globe due to globalization. The livelihood of all people at every corner felt the heat of crisis (World Bank, 2009). One of the prime causes for the financial crisis to take place is collapse of the real estate market of United States, also characterized as the housing bubble. The collapse resulted in surge of mortgage loan defaults. The collapse of the real estate market and the subprime mortgage market of the U.S. had the severe effects around the globe. Uncertainties crept in the financial markets. The creditors reacted to the situation by pulling out funds as well as cashed out the securities that were issued by the concerned financial institutions. The situation became so severe that some financial institutions failed to survive while others just managed it. The loan and credit possibilities from the bank dried up. The investors began to dump their investments and therefore downturn in the share market was the inevitable outcome. The system suffered from the loss in confidence. The banks took the policy to borrow with the view to create securitization. As long as the banks can pull out money by selling loans on the basis of securities, they did not feel the dependency to rely on the savers. Some banks directed themselves into mortgages. The government pressurized the banks to offer loans to the poor and these loans involved the risks of getting defaulted. The banks were used to purchase the mortgages with the aim to securitize them and then sell them off. The exposure of the banks towards risks gained probability. The lending process slowed down with the realization of the problem. Some of the banks were on the verge of the most risky loans which was beyond the intention of the investors. The lenders wished to take back the loans. The investment banks could not make much progress as they had little deposits to deal with. The situation

Public Education Campaign on Water Conservation Research Paper

Public Education Campaign on Water Conservation - Research Paper Example Most of the efforts on water conservation have been conducted in the urban areas, particularly in the residential sector. According to Woodhouse (2009), the option of increasing the cost of water would not be viable in conserving water in these regions because the current cost is already considered high and demand for water tends to be inelastic. Hence, a voluntary approach has to be adopted through education. This paper analyzes some of the common practices of water conservation giving the benefits that result from these practices. Adopting the planning strategy suggested by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, UNESCAP (2002), this paper suggests the planning process for a campaign aimed at educating the public on water conservation supported by arguments from other scholarly journals and books. Introduction The security of freshwater continues to be a critical issue globally due to the increase in usage of limited resources by the increasing popul ation with subsequent decrease in availability. The unavailability of freshwater has been largely attributed to increase in pollution, deforestation and inadequate management (Zobeck & Schillinger, 2010). Therefore, to secure a sustainable future with water, there would be the need to improve the efficiency in water supply and usage. According to the UNESCAP (2002), water conservation describes the action taken to ensure efficient usage of water. It could be accomplished either by conserving water resources through efficient storage, transfer and management of raw water or by conserving water supply, which includes consumption without wastage and minimal losses in distribution. From ancient days, various methods for water conservation have been adopted. Canals were constructed so as to convey water to farm lands to improve crop production. This would mostly be accompanied by construction of reservoirs to retain water for future usage, be it agricultural or domestic use. Construction of terraces reduced runoffs while plowed fallowing, deep plowing and contouring ensured retention of moisture particularly in farm lands. Recognizing water capture as â€Å"the first step in water conservation,† Zobeck and Schillinger (2010, p. 3) argue that frequent plowing would, however, make the land devoid of moisture. Practices such as stubble-mulch tillage that emphasized the importance of covering the surface were adopted as water conservation mechanisms. Modern conservation measures include use of water saving appliances and devices such as showers and faucets, toilets, dishwashers, pressure reducing valves and insulated hot water pipes (Green, 2010). Behavioral practices of water conservation include turning off the water when brushing teeth and reducing the amount of water used per person when showering. Other approaches include operational methods where leakages would be detected in time and repaired; financial methods that include deterrent pricing of water tari ffs; and socio-political methods that include public education and legislation. The benefits to be gained from water conservation campaigns are unlimited, with Green (2010) noting that with increased budget allocation to such campaigns, there would be quantitative demand reduction which would lead to documentation of the benefit of the program. These campaigns would make the saved water available to the less privileged that do not have sustainable access to services of water supply. Zobeck and Schillinger (2010) note that adoption of water conservation measures play a critical role in promoting agriculture by curbing erosion and controlling weeds. Nonetheless, scholars concur on water conservati

Does Modern Technology Help Students Essay Example for Free

Does Modern Technology Help Students Essay Sample Essay 2 Question: Does modern technology help students learn more information and learn it more quickly? Answer: Marvelous as it looks at first sight, modern technology does not help students learn information at greater speed and with higher efficiency in most cases. On the contrary, it works towards the opposite direction which led students to lose their initiative to learn and explore. First of all, one property of modern technology is latently harmful to any learning mind it distracts. One thing we feel about when we are searching for information online is that the internet, as an outstanding example of modern technology, provides us with not only relevant results to make use of, but also external links to click. More than once I turned on my computer to check school library for resources, but ended up watching Youtube videos. In this case, computer as a representative of modern technology plays a negative role in learning information. We do acquire more information with the convenient tool, yet most of them are irrelevant and in the end procrastinating would lower our learning. Also, students would easily become disoriented in the huge sea of information. Although modern technology could equip us with easy access to information, the huge amount of resources would actually leave us confused. Therefore, it is only we obtain information more quickly rather than we learn it more quickly. A telling example is my experience with a digital library which stores almost all the books I need. At first I enjoyed downloading them from the database, however, one month later I ended up with hundreds of books stored in my laptop yet none of them finished or ever clicked. Furthermore, modern technology gives students an illusion that information and real knowledge is easy to learn just by clicking mouse or watching videos. But in fact this is only the first step towards useful information and effective learning, as learning of any kind requires full concentration and interactive thinking, which are almost absent in the process of popular e-learning experience. To summarize, modern technology does not help students learn more information and learn it more quickly, though it does make access to information and resources much more easily. The popular e-learning still lacks the concentration, depth, and interaction that are the hallmark of traditional ways of education and learning.

The Power of Light in The Scarlet Letter Essay -- Scarlet Letter essay

The Power of Light in The Scarlet Letter   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   Since the conception of humanity, man has been fascinated with that presence which illuminates, yet cannot be touched.   Mankind has brought it into his religions, giving it a great deal of importance in his creed.   Following in the footsteps of his ancestors, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses light as a tool of God that illuminates the darkness of human iniquity and exposes its permanence.   He studies the psychological theme of the impossibility of eradicating sin from the human heart in his novel The Scarlet Letter.   The use of light in order to fortify this psychological theme confirms its significance in the novel.   As though he were weaving an elaborate tapestry, Hawthorne meshes light's intense symbolism into his characters' natures until a chef d'oeuvre manifests itself upon the loom of the reader's intellect.   This tapestry serves as a subtle background upon which the characters' sinful hearts are bared.         Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As Hawthorne navigates the reader through th...

Cultural Tourism Essay

This book seeks to provide the reader or tourist with insights on how the two worlds, tourism and cultural heritage management intersect, but also how they conflict in that they represent opposite sides of cultural tourism itself. The book outlines for the reader that while tourism professionals evaluate the potential for profit, cultural management professionals evaluate the same assets for their value. Tourism represents the consumption of experiences and products. Cultural tourists want to consume a variety of cultural experiences and assets must be converted into something that tourists can utilize and enjoy, which is important to developing a successful and sustainable management of the cultural tourism product itself. This book attempts to highlight the problems associated with the merging of both as well as offer suggestions or ways that the two can work together effectively and efficiently without causing damage to the asset itself due to environmental factors that tourism brings. Tourism has extensive sociological, economic and political aspects to it everywhere in the world. Greater attention is now being given to tourisms overall social impact, which depending on the circumstances can be positive or negative depending on how tourism is both planned and/or managed. Education and knowledge are tantamount to the approach in attempting to avoid the problems associated with the negative impacts of tourism. A long-term commitment to the planning and management of heritage assets should anticipate the adverse impacts of tourism and develops guidelines that minimize problems that can affect the host communities or can be offensive to the culture. Not all tourists are alike. Some seek very specific indulgences as it is not always about touring the local landmarks, or visiting attractions like theme parks. Some seek, sun, partying, relaxation or a combination of those activities. Depending on what the country or city offers in terms of enjoyment, to encourage tourism they must have the accommodations, amenities, transportation, knowledge based workers and effective cultural management that also preserves the ecological environments because without that, some of the world’s most ancient and precious relics, artwork, artifacts that are at risk and face possible extinction thus, robbing future generations of civilizations treasures. The challenges that tangible materials referred to in the book face should welcome the study by another generation which can offer new ways to present and preserve it without causing further damage. Respect for cultural heritages by tourists, are vitally important to the experience for other generations to come. The book lists five guidelines that the tourism products must provide for it to be successful: 1,A story must be told or associated with that product; 2.It must be able to be brought to life for the visitor; 3.Allow the visitor to participate in some way; 4.Relevant to the tourist; and 5.The product must be of quality and authentic. Overall, the book represents in a comprehensive way that tourism is a double-edged sword. Cultural tourism is the fastest growing segment of the industry and as more travelers can afford to visit global locales and seek to immerse themselves in many different cultures, the more problems it can bring. The tourism industry also attempts to foster increased awareness of other cultural differences by promoting greater understanding and cooperation amongst all cultures. Tourism can also act as a bridge for largely neglected developing countries to generate employment opportunities for the poor, growth and a more viable economy on terms that do not run counter to its long-term interests. The book illustrates the mutual dependence that exists between tourism and cultural heritage that has become more apparent. While cultural heritage creates a foundation for the growth of tourism, tourism itself has the power to generate funds that make the conservation efforts possible. Cultural heritage loses its meaning without an audience and a society participating in and benefitting from it. Ultimately, the success of how well the tourism and cultural heritage management work together is what will bring success to achieve the common goal of fostering better understanding and sustainable growth and the book has attempted to break down some barriers that have previously repressed partnership information. The authors note in the Epilogue that their hope is that by fostering a better understanding of the legitimate interests of cultural heritage management within the tourism industry and of the legitimate interests of tourism within the cultural management sector, more professionals from both sectors will begin to appreciate the benefits of partnership.