Course Description
Regionalism, realism, and naturalism from 1865 to 1918 with attention to the themes of ethical conflict, determinism, urbanization, the New Woman, and the contributions of ethnic minorities. Writers may include Twain, James, Wharton, Jewett, Dunbar-Nelson, Zitkala-Sa, Chopin, Chesnutt, Crane, Howells, Dreiser, and Sui Sin Far.
Athena Title
Amer Realism and Naturalism
Non-Traditional Format
The writing will consist of two essays examinations and a research paper on one writer studied for the course.
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 year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
At the end of the course, students, having read a substantial body of literature, will be able to discuss the assigned works (orally and in writing) with a considerable degree of critical sophistication, to reread them with pleasure, to read and enjoy other works from the period, and to converse with fellow students about texts and issues related to the subject matter of the course.
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 and to be examined individually and comparatively in the context of the times and the circumstances of their composition. Periodically during the semester, students will perform a number of graded tasks, including some combination of tests and out-of-class papers. A possible series of topics and assignments might resemble this: The Portable American Realism Reader, ed. James Nagel and Thomas Quirk Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage Sarah Orne Jewett, The Country of the Pointed Firs Kate Chopin, The Awakening Sui Sin Far, Mrs. Spring Fragrance Charles Chesnutt, The Wife of His Youth and Other Stories Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady