This is a course of lectures in on the literature of the United States from the 17th Century to the present. Leading writers of poetry, stories, novels, plays, autobiographies, and essays will be introduced, and photocopied selections of some of their work will be analyzed. Some psychological, sociological, political, scientific, religious, moral, and philosophical issues will be examined in the literature. Students will learn about Puritanism and other forms of Christianity, Rationalism, Democracy, Romanticism and Transcendentalism, Realism and Naturalism, Individualism and Pragmatism, Feminism and Ethnic Pluralism, the Counter-culture, etc. Modern and Post-Modern ideas in literature will be emphasized to help students understand how diverse Americans--some using languages other than English--live, think, and feel about themselves and others, their nation and the world. The course will conclude with attention to recent cultural issues and ideas in the United States. To what extent have the "American dreams" been realized, and to what extent do they conceal the disappointing reality of American life?
Some videos of relevant novels and plays will be shown.
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