American Literature 2 Readings
(American Romanticism ~ 21st Century)
*Students should bring reading materials to class each day. Please use the schedule to determine which texts you’ll need for the day. All linked texts are blue and boldface; all other works come from the Norton Anthology of American Literature, Vols. C-E.
*All homework assignments must be typed.
*All essays should be formatted according to MLA guidelines. Those not adhering to MLA will be subject to grade reductions.
|
Date |
Class Activity |
Homework (to be completed by the next class meeting) |
|
1/12 |
course policies; discuss the characteristics of American Literature |
Read Crevecoeur, Franklin; watch Michael Mann’s The Last of the Mohicans (Imdb info link) (1992)—the film is available via netflix, blockbuster online, and on course reserve in the GHC library. |
|
1/14 |
syllabus quiz; discuss Crevecoeur, Franklin, |
Write a two page response (MLA format) to the following prompt: What makes a work of literature “American”? Be as specific as possible, and make an argument. Do not give a cotton-candy answer (i.e. “anything that deals with America”). Are there certain values that we uphold over others? Wrestle with this idea. |
|
1/19 |
discuss homework; lecture on Romanticism pt.1 (SLIDES) |
Read Notes on Romanticism, Emerson, Study Questions for Romanticism |
|
1/21 |
lecture/discussion on/of American Romanticism |
make sure you have screened LotM by the next class meeting; answer LotM Study Questions |
|
1/26 |
discuss LotM; Natty as proto-American |
Read Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” |
|
1/28 |
discuss Poe |
Read Whitman in NAAL:C pages 17-20, 30-74 Answer the Whitman Study Questions and bring them to class |
|
2/2 |
discuss Whitman & Romanticism |
Work on Whitman Study Questions |
|
2/4 |
discuss Whitman, |
Read Melville’s Battle-Pieces selections: Supplement (not a poem, but you need this to contextualize the works above!) |
|
2/9 |
discuss Whitman, Melville, and the Jeremiad; assign essay #1 |
Reread (or read) the Melville poems again! |
|
2/11 |
No class |
|
|
2/16 |
discuss Whitman, Melville, etc. |
Work on Essay #1 |
|
2/18 |
discuss American Romanticism |
work on Essay #1 |
|
2/23 |
Essay #1 due; Review for Exam #1 |
study for exam #1 |
|
2/25 |
Exam #1 |
Read American Realism, Naturalism notes; Read Twain’s “Literary Offences,” begin reading Chopin’s “The Awakening” in NAAL:C |
|
3/2 |
Lecture on Realism/Naturalism |
Read Chopin’s “The Awakening” in NAAL:C |
|
3/4 |
Discuss Chopin’s “The Awakening” & women in America |
Read critical articles on Chopin; Read “The Story of an Hour” |
|
3/9 |
Discuss Chopin |
|
|
3/11 |
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|
3/16 |
Spring Break |
|
|
3/18 |
Spring Break |
|
|
3/23 |
Realism/Naturalism |
R/N |
|
3/25 |
R/N |
R/N |
|
3/30 |
R/N; assign
essay #2 |
work on essay #2 |
|
4/1 |
David Bottoms poetry reading; |
|
|
4/6 |
Essay #2 due; Lecture on Modernism |
“Prufrock” |
|
4/8 |
“Prufrock” |
W.C. Williams; Wallace Stevens |
|
4/13 |
Williams & Stevens |
Loy, HD, Moore, & ESVMillay |
|
4/15 |
Women Modernists |
Hughes & McKay |
|
4/20 |
Intro to Harlem Ren. |
Film Handouts; Film List |
|
4/22 |
Independent work day |
|
|
4/27 |
Assignment #3 Due; discuss film & PoMo |
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4/29 |
Review for final exam |
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|
5/6 |
Final Exam; Final Essay is Due |
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