ENGL109-09S2 (C) Semester Two 2009
American Literature

Description

This course offers an introduction to American Literature.  A range of texts has been selected to acquaint students with major examples of American poetry and fiction from the romantic era to the present, with the strongest emphasis falling on twentieth century fiction.

American literature is too diverse for any one course to introduce it comprehensively.  Instead the reading focuses on three key moments, or impulses:  romanticism, modernism, and postmodernism.  Students will learn how these periodising terms have been used, and how they can help to make sense of American literary history.

Learning Outcomes

Course aims:
• to introduce students to the diversity of modern American literature;
• to familiarize students with the use of the terms ‘romanticism,’ ‘modernism’ and ‘postmodernism’;
• to initiate students in the use of critical theory in writing about literary texts.

Restrictions

Equivalent Courses

For further information see School of Humanities on the department and colleges page.