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ENGL259
American Literature and Politics in the 1850s
ENGL259 FA
Crosslistings: AMST259
Not Currently Offered
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 will be read, as well as fiction and poetry.
Students will also do research on newspapers and magazines,
using the microform resources of Olin Library.
MAJOR READINGS
Major readings include:
Potter, IMPENDING CONFLICT
Reynolds, BENEATH THE AMERICAN RENAISSANCE; Compromise of
1850 (casebook); Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Hawthorne, SCARLET LETTER
Melville, MOBY-DICK & 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.
This course meets the English department's historical
knowledge requirement.
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: Seminar
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level: UG Credit: 1.00
Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA ENGL
Prerequisites:
ENGL203 or HIST235 or AFAM201 or HIST239
Last Updated on MAR-22-1999
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