230529 A Survey of American Literature (S) (SoSe 2006)

The purpose of this course is to offer students the opportunity to gain a perspective on American literature. The overall outline will be chronological in approach, but will open windows on a wide variety of subjects. A great deal of emphasis will be on broad periods, movements, ethnic and regional literatures, literature and society (the reading public, the literary-critical establishment, the magazines and literature), literature and history (literature as a product of its times and a reflection of historical thought and events), literature and language, especially dialect and standard and the American Vulgate, as well as individual authors and works.

The work of the seminar will consist of explorations of the one or the other topic, chiefly in the form of discussion of reading. Students will be expected to do a fair amount of reading in exemplary works.

Credit for this class can be gained on the basis of regular attendance and reading as well as success on the final written exam.

Regular reading will be drawn from The Norton Anthology of American Literature (shorter 6th ed.), edited by Nina Baym, New York; Norton, 2003. It is advisable to have regular access to a copy of this anthology. A reserved reading shelf will also be provided.