Introduces students to American literature and culture broadly construed, examining foundational works of critical and historical significance.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Analyze a diverse range of American literary texts from Indigenous oral traditions to contemporary works, recognizing the historical, cultural, and artistic contexts that shape them.
- Demonstrate critical reading and close analysis skills through written essays and discussions focused on language, form, symbolism, and thematic content.
- Identify and explain key American literary movements and their influence on cultural and artistic expression across different historical periods.
- Conduct research that situates literary texts within broader cultural, social, and historical frameworks, culminating in a multimodal collaborative project.
- Communicate literary and cultural analysis effectively in written, oral, and digital formats, using appropriate academic conventions.
- Engage thoughtfully and respectfully in class discussions and peer collaboration, demonstrating awareness of diverse perspectives and inclusive approaches to American literature.
Required Course Materials
Primary Anthology (Required):
The Broadview Anthology of American Literature: Concise Volume
General Editors: Derrick R. Spires, Sandra M. Gustafson, and Sarah E. Rigo
ISBN: 9781554815727 (print) / eISBN: 9781554815734 (digital)
This single-volume edition offers a rich, inclusive, and critically engaging selection of American literature from Indigenous oral traditions to the twenty-first century. It features a diverse array of authors and integrates cultural and historical documents alongside literary texts. The anthology is designed for classroom use, with extensive introductions, footnotes, and contextual materials that support close reading and historical engagement.
Supplementary Contemporary Poetry Anthology:
The Best of Write Bloody Anthology
Edited by Derrick Brown
ISBN: 9781946218003 (print)
Published by Write Bloody Publishing
This anthology showcases a vibrant collection of contemporary spoken word and performance poetry from leading voices like Clint Smith, Andrea Gibson, and Sarah Kay. It features poems alongside tour stories, photographs, and cultural context that highlight the dynamic intersections of poetry, identity, and performance in 21st-century American culture. This text complements the historical literary works by engaging students with current poetic forms and social themes.
Supplementary Readings (provided via Canvas):
- Critical essays, cultural texts, or multimedia (film clips, images, recordings) will be assigned to supplement the anthology and support major assignments.
Grading Policy (Points-Based, 100 Total)
- Weekly Reading Responses (5 x 5 pts) – 25 pts
- Midterm Literary Movements Exam (take-home essay) – 20 pts
- Close Reading Essay (4–5 pages) – 20 pts
- Final Collaborative Project and Presentation (Multimodal) – 25 pts
- Participation and Attendance – 10 pts
Attendance Policy
Attendance is essential. You may miss up to three classes without penalty. Each absence beyond that will result in a 1-point deduction from your final grade. If you experience illness or emergency, communicate promptly to make arrangements. I reserve the right to determine what constitutes any extenuating circumstance.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Humanities area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic and philosophical works?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts in English or other languages, or of works in the visual/performing arts.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Ethical Reasoning
- Information Literacy
- Intercultural Competence