ENGL 360 Studies in the American Novel

Study of selected American novels.

Fall, odd years

To survey developments in the American novel, particularly from the romantic novel of the early 19th Century to the Realism of the late 19th Century
To discover how those novels "fit" in the American literary heritage and how they are cultural emanations of the ideas and concerns of the authors' respective eras
To have students recognize recurrent themes, motifs, concerns, etc., of the American novel
To develop students' understanding of literature in general through the close reading and analysis of representative American novels. Thus, we will concern ourselves primarily with the literary characteristics of the works
To further develop students' ability to write and think critically by having them articulate and evaluate the ethical, moral, and socio-political issues (and others) raised by the literature. Students will be given the opportunity to do so through class discussion, the writing of essays, and the fulfillment of exercises