American Working Class Literature

Course Number:

ENG 237

Transcript Title:

American Working Class Literature

Created:

Aug 10, 2022

Updated:

Jul 11, 2023

Total Credits:

4

Lecture Hours:

40

Lecture / Lab Hours:

0

Lab Hours:

0

Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:

Yes

Satisfies General Education requirement:

Yes

Grading Options

A-F, P/NP, Audit

Default Grading Options

A-F

Repeats available for credit:

0

Alignment with Institutional Learning Outcomes

Major

1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication)

Major

2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving)

Not Addressed

3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy)

Major

4. Use an understanding of cultural differences to constructively address issues that arise in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness)

Not Addressed

5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility)

To establish an intentional learning environment, Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) require a clear definition of instructional strategies, evidence of recurrent instruction, and employment of several assessment modes.

Major Designation

1. The outcome is addressed recurrently in the curriculum, regularly enough to establish a thorough understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a thorough understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Minor Designation

1. The outcome is addressed adequately in the curriculum, establishing fundamental understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a fundamental understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

Assessment tools may include:

• Informal responses such as quizzes, study questions or journals.
• Participation in small - and full - group discussion.
• In-class and out-of-class writing.
• Formal academic essays.
• Presentations by individuals and groups.
• Short and long essay examinations.
• Close reading exercises using support/evidence.
• Academic essays that evaluate various interpretations of a text and their relative validity. 

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

The course introduces the question of what constitutes the working class in America.  It looks at the confines and fluidity of class identity in American culture and the influence of these questions on literature by/about the working-class.  It examines the ways and reasons that working-class literature has traditionally been marginalized. It examines how literature has challenged and upheld stereotypes and generalizations of the working-class. It looks at the ways working-class literature identifies and illustrates issues of race, gender, ethnicity, citizenship, and educational status. It may expand traditional notions of literary genres (poetry, fiction, drama) to include forms such as letters, memoirs, oral history, songs, speeches, leaflets.  Acquired skills include active, critical reading and literary analysis in both verbal and written forms.