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Academic Year 2005/2006
American Literature and Politics in the 1850s
ENGL 259 SP
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 AMST155] OR [HIST235 or AMST236] OR AFAM201 OR [AMST200 or LAST200]
Links to Web Resources For This Course.
Last Updated on MAR-30-2006
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Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459