Welcome to the Online Orientation for English 2328: Survey of American Literature. This web document is the complete orientation for the course, and you are not required to attend any live sessions, either virtually or in person.

Where do I find the Course Syllabus?
Click here for the 2012 Spring course syllabus.

What makes this course any better than any other online course in American literature?
Several features make this course unique:

• First, this course reflects the expertise of a team of instructors with a combined 100 years of teaching experience at the college level.

• Second, it is a comprehensive survey, introducing major writings from the beginning of the Colonial Period through Walt Whitman. 

• Third, you have access to the entire course and its rich resources, all on this website without the restrictions of a password for entry.

• Fourth, you can work at your own pace within the sixteen-week framework, finish your work early, and receive your grade upon completion without having to wait for the end of the term (Dallas TeleCollege students must wait until after the official drop date to receive a grade).

• Fifth, each unit is supported by a rich library of online resources which take you way beyond just the readings and their introductions.

• Sixth, a message board keeps you apprised of new information, counseling, and opportunities for interaction with your instructor and others in the course.

• Last, this course has been developed and is facilitated by Dr. Geoffrey A. Grimes, a professor with more than thirty years of college teaching experience and recognized by the Association of American Community College Trustees as one of the finest instructors in North America.

Profile of Successful Distance-Learning Students
Those who successfully complete online courses are those who

1) have successfully completed previous college courses,
2) prefer independent study,
3) can juggle several important tasks over a short period of time and keep on schedule,
4) exhibit good reading skills,
5) demonstrate effective writing skills,
6) can learn and retain information quickly, and
7) are not over-extended with other courses.

Profile of Unsuccessful Distance-Learning Students
Students typically who do not do well in online courses are those who

1) have had difficulty passing previous college courses,
2) prefer traditional classroom learning,
3) tend to procrastinate and have difficulty completing tasks on schedule,
4) exhibit poor reading habits,
5) still struggle with basic writing skills and conventions,
6) have difficulty retaining what they have learned, and
7) are enrolled in two or more additional courses.

If you exhibit any of the problems identified in the second profile, you should reconsider enrolling in this course; you probably will not complete this course.

How much is expected of me?
This course is a moderately heavy reading course facilitated over a period of sixteen weeks.  It includes reading selections of major writers from the colonial period to the present.  The works of these writers vary widely in content and style.  Some readings are relatively short--a poem or two, letters, or a short essay.  Others are long works--at least one complete short novel or several complex essays.  You should allow at least five hours per week for concentrated active reading in order to master the course materials.

You will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the readings through five writing assignments.  These are three-to-five page academic papers reflecting the conventions of the "thesis-support" essay which you developed in English 1301 and 1302.  Requirements and the grading standards for each assignment are explained on the individual exercise pages.

How much are the course materials?
The textbook, The Anthology of American Literature: Volume 2, costs approximately $85.00 and can be purchased through the Mountain View College Wallace's Bookstore.  Bookstore personnel will be happy to ship the text to you for an additional postage and handling fee of about $5.00.  Contact the Wallace's Bookstore at Mountain View College by calling (214) 331-5474.  This is the only required materials for purchase.

Do I have access to other student services offered in the Dallas County Community College District?
Yes!  Click here to access a full range of student services including the online library, student programs, job listing, assessment, and many other resources.
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Who is my instructor?
Your instructor is Dr. Michael Sink, a Professor of English at Mountain View College in the Dallas County Community College District. 
Email Dr. Sink at  mds6420@dcccd.edu.

May I finish the course early?
Yes, you certainly may finish before the sixteenth week.

Can I receive my grade before the end of the sixteenth week?
Yes, in some cases you can request an early posting of a grade if you are a full-time student of another college or university.  The MVC Registrar will have the final word.  If you are enrolled through the Dallas TeleCollege, your grade cannot be posted before the end of the sixteen-week schedule.

Will credit for this course transfer to other colleges and universities?
Yes, credit for this course will transfer to most other colleges and universities.  Before you enroll in this course, however, you should check with the academic advisor of the major discipline in which you plan to study to make sure if and how it will be accepted at the senior college or university to which you plan to transfer.  Some private colleges or universities may not accept this course, and it may not be accepted for credit as a survey course in American literature in other state-supported colleges and universities in Texas which may require only World Literature to fulfill the "Core" requirement.  Note, however, that if you complete the full "Core" curriculum in the Dallas County Community College District, this course will fulfill the "Core" sophomore literature requirement for any other state supported college or university in Texas.

Does this course cost more if I live outside of Dallas County?
Yes, if you live outside of Dallas County, you will have to pay a higher tuition fee.  Contact the Registrar's Office at (214) 860-8600 for more information.  Registration fees are subject to change without notice.

What happens if I don't finish this course within the sixteen-week period?
You must finish each of the exercises satisfactorily to pass the course with a good grade.  If you anticipate difficulties completing the assignments during your sixteen-week semester, you should drop the course on or before the drop date.  The drop date changes with each monthly enrollment period, so you should contact the Registrar at Mountain View College or the Dallas TeleCollege for the drop date.  Call the Registrar's Office at (214) 860-8600 for the drop date for this course and be sure to specify your course number and section when you call.

Can the instructor give an "Incomplete" grade?
In special cases, students may request an incomplete, but students must complete at least three of the five essay assignments to be eligible.  I will not consider an incomplete grade for any student who has not finished at least three of the essays satisfactorily.

This page was last modified on January 11, 2012, 
and is maintained by Dr. Geoffrey Grimes.
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