ENGL259 - American Literature and Politics in the 1850s

[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2003/2004

American Literature and Politics in the 1850s
ENGL 259 SP

Crosslistings:
AMST 259

The course examines the relationship between literature and political expression during the decade of political controversy leading up to the Civil War. We will read political speeches and works of social analysis from the period, as well as fiction and poetry. Students will also do research on newspapers and magazines, using the microform resources of Olin Library.

MAJOR READINGS

Potter, IMPENDING CONFLICT;
Reynolds, BENEATH THE AMERICAN RENAISSANCE; Compromise of 1850 (casebook); Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Hawthorne, SCARLET LETTER;
Melville, MOBY-DICK and BENITO CERENO;
Stowe, UNCLE TOM'S CABIN;
Eastman, AUNT PHILLIS' CABIN;
Walker, WAR IN NICARAGUA;
Whitman, LEAVES OF GRASS;
Gilpin, MISSION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN PEOPLE;
Essays by Emerson, Thoreau, Parker, John Brown, George Fitzhugh and others.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Midterm paper, 5 pp.; one oral presentation to the seminar; 15 pp. final paper (critical or research).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

The course is intended for advanced students, who are interested in the connections between literature and history, and are prepared to spend time in the reserve room reading old, dusty books.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA ENGL Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: ENGL203 OR HIST235 OR AFAM201 OR HIST239

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Slotkin,Richard S.

Times: .M.W... 01:10PM-02:30PM; Location: CAMS 1&2

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 20)

Special Attributes:

Permission: Permission of Instructor Required

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004