What does it mean to be an "American," particularly when one is excluded from the so-called "mainstream" of society?

Cultural Difference in "American" Autobiography examines life writings produced on this continent from the first European settlements to the near-present. Drawing on a variety of methods (e.g., gender studies, literary biography, reception theory, cultural studies, literary history, and history-of-the-book studies), the seminar will explore the aesthetic and historical dimensions of the many forms of life writing; self-fashioning and refashioning in terms of religious, regional, racial, class, and gender; and the relationship between individual and national identities. Major authors include Mary Rowlandson, Benjamin Franklin, several slave narrators, P. T. Barnum, Henry David Thoreau, Lucy Larcom, Henry Adams, James Weldon Johnson, Black Elk, Gertrude Stein, Richard Rodriguez, Michael Patrick MacDonald, and Cindy Sherman.

In addition to developing a broad knowledge of the traditions of life writing in America and in-depth knowledge of more than a dozen writers, students will develop their critical skills by producing--in a series of collaborative stages--a substantial paper based on interpretation and research. Classes will have significant lecture content, but they will also be driven by presentations on the on-line Discussion Board and by more spontaneous dialogue in class. The success of this seminar depends on the active involvement of every participant.

Instructor: Dr. Pannapacker

Class Meetings: Mondays 6:00-8:50 PM

Location: Lubbers 103 THIS IS A CHANGE. Some meetings--announced in advance--will take place at "The Willows."

Monday, September 3
Introduction: the research process, definitions, theories, major themes. Everyone's "life story." Sign-up for Discussion Board essays. Search for Research Assistant.

Monday, September 10
Read The Captivity Narrative of Mary Rowlandson. DBE: Kate TeWinkle.

Monday, September 17
Read Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography. DBE: Mike Hanley.

Monday, September 24
Read (or review if you've already read) the Narrative of Frederick Douglass, then read a narrative by one of the following authors: Olaudah Equiano, Nat Turner, Sojourner Truth, or Harriet Jacobs. DBE: Kate TeWinkle, Tony Rugless, Jessie Blaquiere.

Monday, October 1
Read The Life of P. T. Barnum. DBE: Mike Hanley, Scott Mellema, Meghan Betka.

Wednesday, October 10
Read Walden. DBE: John Milan, Peter Derby

Monday, October 15
Read A New England Girlhood. Prospectus due. Discussion of topics/networking for like-minded scholars. DBE: Siobhain Coles, Meghan Betka.

Monday, October 22
Read The Education of Henry Adams. Peer reviews of prospectuses due. Discussion of peer reviews. DBE: Peter Derby.

Monday, October 29
Read Black Elk Speaks. DBE: Tony Rugless, Scott Mellema, John Milan.

Monday, November 5
Read The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man. DBE: Kate TeWinkle, Tony Rugless. Presentations: Meghan Betka, Jessie Blacquiere.

Monday, November 12
Read The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas. Presentations: Siobhain Coles, Peter Derby. DBE: Mike Hanley, Jessie Blaquiere, John Milan.

Monday, November 19
Read The Hunger of Memory. Presentations: Michael Hanley, Scott Mellema. DBE: Siobhain Coles, Meghan Betka, Jessie Blacquiere.

Monday, November 26
Read All Souls: A Family Story from Southie. Presentations: John Milan, Anthony Rugless. DBE: Siobhain Coles, Scott Mellema, John Milan.

Monday, December 3
Read Cindy Sherman. Presentations: Katrina Tewinkle. DBE: Peter Derby. (NOTE: THE ARTWORK IN THIS BOOK MAY OFFEND SOME READERS; ALTERNATIVE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED ON REQUEST). SIR Evaluations.

Monday, December 14, 1 PM.
Final Paper Due in English Department offices (slide under my door or give to Myra, dept. administrator).

Academic Honesty
As defined in The New St. Martin's Handbook, Plagiarism is "the use of someone else's words or ideas as your own without crediting the other person" (494). Make sure you have attributed your sources appropriately before handing in any assignment. Any submission that is demonstrably plagiarized will result in a permanent failure for the assignment and, in some cases, disciplinary action by the college. For more information on using sources, see The New St. Martin's Handbook, pages 476-498.

Attendance
There are no excused absences. If you need to miss a class or arrive late for a good reason, please let me know in advance. Unexcused absences and lateness will lower your grade for participation-or other assignments such as DISCUS essays, peer reviews, presentations, and so on.

Deadlines
Assignments are due as specified in the syllabus or the Web site (take note of individual assignment deadlines), unless an announcement is made indicating otherwise. Lateness or failure to submit assignments can completely disorganize the seminar; I will look on it with disfavor when determining participation as well as specific grades.

Mutual Respect
Participants must be free to speak their minds within the bounds of appropriate behavior. Everyone should treat each other with respect, regardless of differences of opinion or background. Everyone is free to disagree. Of course, I do not expect this will be a problem, but disorderly behavior, discriminatory language, personal attacks, and other forms of verbal abuse are not permitted.

Library Reserves

A large number of books pertaining to American autobiography have been placed on open reserve in the Van Wylen Library (e.g., John Paul Eakin's American Autobiography: Retrospect and Prospect). Unfortunately, this means you can't check them out; fortunately, all of these books will be available to all of you for your research projects. I also have a LARGE collection of materials (books and articles) in my office, which you are welcome to consult during my office hours and by appointment.

Individual Conferences

You are welcome to confer with me during my office hours (and by appointment) at any time during the semester. Please try to stop by early in the semester to help me get to know you better. At least one meeting to discuss the research paper is expected as participation; however, the timing of this meeting (or, preferably, meetings) is up to you.

Academic Support Center (ASC)

Extra one-on-one and group assistance is available at no cost from private tutors at the ASC in Van Zoeren 261 (395-7830). You should set up an appointment in advance (Monday through Friday, 9:00-5:00). The ASC's services are not just for students having great difficulty; many "A"-students benefit from the insights of additional readers.