Fall 2008

E 316K • Masterworks of Literature: American (34580-34625)

Course Description

Literature and Cultural Identity--
The goal of this course is to study the "masterworks" of American literature, and we will, therefore, read masterworks by some combination of African American, Asian American, European American, Native American, and Latina/o authors. Though we will discuss many aspects (literary, cultural, historical, political) of each text on the syllabus, one main interest will be in the way that these authors explore what being "American" means both to them and the community or communities that they represent. I will also provide some historical and cultural materials to help place the readings in context.

Grading Policy

Four exams, with short answer and essay questions, which cover the four general periods that we will be studying.

Texts

The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Shorter seventh edition, ed. Nina Baym

SAMPLE AUTHORS:
Rudolfo Anaya, William Bradford, Sandra Cisneros, Charles Alexander Eastman, William Faulkner, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Langston Hughes, Gish Jen, Flannery O'Connor, Alice Walker

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