| WEEK | TOPIC | READINGS | ASSIGNMENT |
| 1: Aug. 5, 2021 | Introduction, Syllabus | Review Table of Contents of "A History of American Literature" | Discussion of Syllabus, Textbook, Briefing Papers, and Weekly Assignments |
| 2: Aug. 12, 2021 | The First Americans | "A History of American Literature," Section 1, pp. 1-27 | What opportunities does a "new world" provide for a writer in terms of setting, plot, and characters? Due noon, Aug. 9 Discussion of Readings |
| 3: Aug. 19, 2021 | The First Americans | "A History of American Literature," Section 1, pp. 27-60 | How did the notion of "providence" influence early writing in the colonies? Due noon, Aug. 16 Discussion of Readings |
| 4: Aug. 26, 2021 | The First Americans | "A History of American Literature," Section 1, pp. 60-87 | How did "American" come to be defined in the 1700s? Due noon, Aug. 23 Discussion of Readings |
| 5: Sept. 2, 2021 | Inventing Americas | "A History of American Literature," Section 2, pp. 88-114 | Significant trends in the United States in the early nineteenth century were the transition in the economy from agriculture to industry and the move from the country to town. How did these tends affect American literature of the era? Provide at least three examples. Due noon, Aug. 30 Discussion of Readings |
| 6: Sept. 9, 2021 | Inventing Americas | "A History of American Literature," Section 2, pp. 114-133 | What were the philosophical foundations of Transcendentalism in the United States? Due noon, Sept. 6 Discussion of Readings Briefing Paper Topic Due |
| 7: Sept. 16, 2021 | Inventing Americas | "A History of American Literature," Section 2, pp. 133-171 | What was the relationship of abolitionism and feminism of the 19th century? Due noon, Sept. 13 Discussion of Readings |
| 8: Sept. 23, 2021 | Inventing Americas | "A History of American Literature," Section 2, pp. 171-218 | Compare the literary styles of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville. Due noon, Sept. 20 Discussion of Readings |
| 9: Sept. 30, 2021 | The Development of American Literature, 1865-1900 | >"A History of American Literature," Section 3, pp. 219-255 | Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the literary approach of "regionalism." Due noon, Sept. 27 Discussion of Readings, Test Reviw Available |
| 10: Oct. 7, 2021 | Test Review, Briefing Paper Discussion | ||
| 11: Oct. 14, 2021 | Test | ||
| 12: Oct. 21, 2021 | The Development of American Literature, 1865-1900 | "A History of American Literature," Section 3, pp. 255-281 | What is "naturalism," and how does it differ from "romanticism"? Due noon, Oct. 18 Discussion of Readings |
| 13: Oct. 28, 2021 | The Development of American Literature, 1865-1900 | "A History of American Literature," Section 3, pp. 281-290 | How did women authors in the late 19th century promote gender equality? Due noon, Oct. 25 Discussion of Readings |
| 14: Nov. 4, 2021 | The Development of American Literature, 1865-1900 | "A History of American Literature," Section 3, pp. 290-307 | How did the "muckrakers" exemplify reform efforts of the late 19th century? Due noon, Nov. 1 |
| 15: Nov. 11, 2021 | The Emergence of Modern American Literature, 1900-1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 4, pp. 308-359 | Discussion of Readings Test Review |
| 16: Nov. 18, 2021 | Briefing Paper Draft Due, Nov. 15, noon, Briefing Paper Due Test |
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| 17: Jan. 6, 2022 | The Emergence of Modern American Literature, 1900-1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 4, pp. 359-431 | Compare "imagism," "vorticism," and "objectivism." Due noon, Jan.3 Discussion of Readings |
| 18: Jan. 13, 2022 | The Emergence of Modern American Literature, 1900-1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 4, pp. 431-466 | What factors led to creation of the Fugitives and the Agrarians? Due noon, Jan. 10 Discussion of Readings |
| 19: Jan. 20, 2022 | The Emergence of Modern American Literature, 1900-1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 4, pp. 466-503 | What were the approaches of immigrant literature in the early 20th century? Due noon, Jan 17 Discussion of Readings |
| 20: Jan. 27, 2022 | The Emergence of Modern American Literature, 1900-1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 4, pp. 503-518 | What factors led to the increasing success of "popular" fiction? Due noon, Jan. 24 Discussion of Readings |
| 21: Feb. 3, 2022 | Negotiating the American Century: American Literature since 1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 5, pp. 519-568 |
What are the characteristics of "confessional" poetry of the post-World War II era? Due noon, Jan. 31, Discussion of Readings |
| 22: Feb. 10, 2022 | Negotiating the American Century: American Literature since 1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 5, pp. 568-599 | What American myths did post-World War II authors address and try to dispel? Due noon, Feb. 7, Discussion of Readings Test Review Available |
| 23: Feb. 17, 2022 | Negotiating the American Century: American Literature since 1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 5, pp. 599-640 | Discussion of Readings Test review |
| 24: Feb. 24, 2022 | Test | ||
| 25: March 3, 2022 | Negotiating the American Century: American Literature since 1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 5, pp. 640-678 | What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Black Arts Movement? Due noon, Feb. 28, Discussion of Readings Discussion of Second Briefing Paper |
| 26: March 10, 2022 | Negotiating the American Century: American Literature since 1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 5, pp. 678-705 | Compare the work of Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams. Due noon, March 7, Dicussion of Readings |
| 27: March 17, 2022 | Negotiating the American Century: American Literature since 1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 5, pp. 705-727 | What are the characteristics of posttmodernism? Due noon, March 14, Discusion of Readings |
| 28: March 24, 2022 | Negotiating the American Century: American Literature since 1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 5, pp. 727-740 | What publishing changes resulted in increased success of popular fiction? Due noon, March 21, Discussion of Readings |
| 29: March 31, 2022 | Negotiating the American Century: American Literature since 1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 5, pp. 740-795 | Summarize the contributions of one cultural group to American literature after World War II. Due noon, March 28, Discussion of Readings |
| 30: April 7, 2022 | Negotiating the American Century: American Literature since 1945 | "A History of American Literature," Section 5, pp. 795-828 | What were the effects of 9/11 on American literature of the early 21st century? Due noon, April 4, Discusson of Readings |
| 31: April 21, 2022 | Briefing Paper Draft Due, April 18, noon Review, Briefing Paper Due |
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| 32: April 28, 2021 | Final exam |