This course introduces students to American literature, from Native American literary traditions before Columbus up through the present day, and the historical concerns that mark particular literary epochs. What vision do American writers have of their country, and how do they express their own relationship to it? We will also consider these issues in a larger sense, so that students not only develop an understanding of American literary history but also how any particular country developes a vision of itself through its literature.

-- to survey American literature, 1776-1877 (Fall semester); -- to survey American literature, 1877-postwar (Spring semester); -- to broaden our views of American society and civilization-- fiction, poetry, essays, 1776-1877 (Fall semster); -- fiction, poetry, essays, and drama, 1877-postwar (Spring semester); -- background research and reports on American society and history -- weekly lectures -- student reports -- in-class discussion -- extended discussion on facebook study group

The Norton Anthology of American Literature, 2 vols (2017) 9th ed.