English 430
Special Topics in Literature
Southern American Novels

Dr. Todd Coke
Office: PH 114
Phone: 8127
Office Hours: MWF 1-2 p.m. and by appointment

Description: A study of the Southern novel from the antebellum period through the modern age with an emphasis upon writers and movements of enduring significance.

Policies and Requirements:

Attendance: Due to the compressed nature of this class, missing a single class period is the equivalent of missing an entire week of class. Accordingly, anyonemissing a class period will have his class average lowered by a letter grade. Anyone missing more than one class will be dropped from the role with a grade of F.

Grading: You will have one novel to read per week. You should arrive at every clas speriod prepared to discuss the reading assignment for that day. I will interpret your unwillingness to participate in discussion as evidence of your failure to keep up with the reading and will take this into account when calculating your grade.

Writing: There is no term paper required in this class. Instead, you will be required to write a brief, 1-2 page, reflection upon each of the assingned novels. These exercises will be due on the day we are scheduled to discuss the novel in question.

Grading: Your grade will follow from your performance in the classroom, on quizzes (if necessary), and on written assignments.

Schedule of Assignments:

Week 1 Orientation
Week 2 Twain, Huckleberry Finn
Week 3 Chopin, The Awakening
Week 4 Warren, Night Rider
Week 5 Warren, All the King's Men
Week 6 Faulkner, Absalom, Absalom
Week 7 Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury
Week 8 Faulkner, Light in August
Week 9 Toomer, Cane
Week 10 Wright, Native Son
Week 11 O'Conner, Three By Flannery O'Conner
Week 12 Percy, Lancelot
Week 13 Tyler, Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant
Week 14 Morrison, Beloved