EH232 American Literature II

Welcome to EH232 American Literature II, the summer version, which is the same as Fall and Spring courses. Sorry about that. I know, you heard summer courses were easier. They are not. 🤨

Education—the only thing people buy that they're willing to get less of than they paid for.

Sobering Statistics

The failure rate for this course in my experience, which mirrors national statistics, is about 40%. Just in case you're bad at math, picture this: You are sitting in a classroom. Out of you, the person in front of you, the person to the left, the person to the right, and that guy or gal sitting way across the room that you keep staring at because OMG, he/she is so damn cute how could you not look all the time, two of you will fail. That's 2 out of 5!

Why?

Is it because the material is hard?

Nope. The work is even in English, likely your first/only language.

Is it because your teacher is a jerk?

Some say I am, but that's not why either.

<aside> 💡 People fail this class because they don't read the works.

</aside>

If you read everything asked of you, take occasional notes, and review what you've read, you will be successful in this class. In fact, if you do these tasks well, you could be well on your way to earning an A. If you don't, see the lightbulb idea just above.

I've been teaching English now for about 14 years, even though that's not my regular gig now as an integrated marketing communications professor. I enjoy literature and am an avid reader. You, however, may not be like me. Unless you're an English major, I'd guess you expect this class to be rather painful. But it doesn't have to be.

Survival Tips

Read.

Actively read every stinking word. Don't just let your eyes drift over the page while you watch YouTube cat videos. Focus.

Try to relate everything you read to something else in your personal experience. How would you react in a similar circumstance? PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR PLACE. What if you were the main character or living person? Or like the author? How much similarity/difference is related to the environment? Time period? Old, Christian, male, agnostic, genius, young, slave, rich, Catholic, poor, black, gay, leader, British, Jew, child, white, Chinese, alcoholic, ugly, American Indian, lesbian, unemployed, slave owner, atheist, female, follower, beautiful, preacher, average, Muslim, politician.* You get the idea. Become your opposites. If you can do this, really put yourself in what you read, you'll remember the works. Guaranteed.

Take short notes. Setting. Characters. Main plot points. If you don't, many of the works might start to run together on you.

Try to see everything you read, like a mini-movie playing in your mind's eye.