Course Description
Examines the literature of the colonial and early national periods in transatlantic, hemispheric, and multicultural perspectives, emphasizing the study of imperialism, colonialism, and independence movements from the beginnings to 1830. Students may study Mayan and Aztec texts, and the writings of Columbus, Rowlandson, Edwards, Equiano, Wheatley, and Jefferson.
Athena Title
Early American Literature
Prerequisite
Two 2000-level ENGL courses or (one 2000-level ENGL course and one 3000-level ENGL course) or (one 2000-level ENGL course and one 2000-level CMLT course)
Semester Course Offered
Offered every even-numbered year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will gain awareness of the major genres, authors, and themes of early American literature. They will be encouraged to think of the field in transatlantic and hemispheric terms and will formulate an understanding of the field that is informed by early Native American, African diasporic and African American, and Euro-American literary traditions. Students will master concepts of colonialism, imperialism, and revolution, as they manifest in literary history. Students will also develop the ability to think critically, argue persuasively, and write compellingly. At the end of the course, students will be able to discuss the assigned works and the movements they represent with sophistication and they will be able to study other works from the period independently with a proper sense of their context and import.
Topical Outline
The choice and sequence of topics will vary from instructor to instructor and semester to semester. The topics will consist of selected works by various authors, to be read outside of class and discussed in class, examined individually and comparatively in the context of the times and the circumstances of their composition and reception. Students will periodically perform a number of graded tasks, including tests, papers, and creative projects. Sample Topics Include the Following: Early Native American Literature European Literatures of Colonization Early Caribbean Literature Slavery, African Diasporic, and Early African American Literature Gender and Sexuality in Early America Piracy, Mutiny, and Maritime Rebellion Hemispheric Revolutions
Syllabus