This course provides a critical study of representative works of American literature from the post-Civil War era to the contemporary period. Through close reading and analysis, students will explore the evolution of American literary expression in relation to the historical, cultural, and ideological developments of the United States. Emphasis is placed on understanding literature as both a reflection of and a response to the nation's changing identity. Over the course of the semester, students are expected to produce a minimum of 2,500 words through a combination of formal and informal writing assignments, including multiple revisions.
Prerequisites
ENG 101 with a grade of “C” or higher
1. Demonstrate the ability to engage in critical reading of literary texts, with attention to their social, political, historical, and intellectual contexts, as well as to their formal structures, literary elements, and aesthetic qualities.
2. Compose a formal literary analysis essay that articulates a clear analytical or argumentative thesis, supported by textual evidence drawn from both primary literary works and relevant secondary sources.