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In the first decades of the 20th century, American novels began to veer away from what was perceived as European, particularly, English, themes and styles. Writers such as Faulkner, Cather, and Toomer turned to the vernacular and the regional, while others such as Gilman, DuBois, Bulosan, Wright and Baldwin staked firm claims upon the American nation and promise. Is there something unique in these United States that compels writers of various group affiliations and histories to contest the meaning of "America" both as place and project? What themes and conerns arise from such contestations? Utilizing a comparative literary approach, this course will survey literary texts from the first half of the 20th century to map these negotiations with American culture to nuance our understanding of the rise of American modernity and modernism.
Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion
Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA ENGL Grading Mode: Student Option
Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.
Last Updated on MAR-18-2003
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