American Literature I

Catalog description

This course is a survey of American literature from its inception to the middle of the nineteenth century. Emphasis is placed on representative works and writers of this period and on the literary, cultural, historical, and philosophical forces that shaped these works and that are reflected in them. Upon completion and in written compositions, students will be able to interpret the aesthetic and thematic aspects of these works, relate the works to their historical and literary contexts, and understand relevant criticism and research.