DISCIPLINE: ENGL

COURSE: 545

ENGL 545

Studies in American Literature II (since 1861).

A. Catalog Entry

ENG 545. Studies in American Literature II (3)

(since 1861).

Three hours lecture.

Study of selected authors and important topics of American

Literature since 1861. With a different subheading, may

be taken twice for credit.

B. Detailed Description of Content of Course

The specific content varies with each offering of the

course, depending on the particular topic ("subheading")

designated by the instructor. Designated topics focus

on significant scholarly issues and concerns relevant to

American Literature since the Civil War. Such topics

might include thematic concerns ("The American Dream"),

generic concerns (the Novel of Manners), linguistic concerns

(W.C. Williams and the vernacular tradition of the new

poetry), cultural/social/ political/historical issues (the

portrayal of outsiders--immigrants, blacks, women), source

studies (the school of Hawthorne and the "Romance"

tradition), studies of the influence of one author upon

another writer or group of writers (Gertrude Stein and the

Lost Generation), a particular critical approach to selected

literary works of the period (Deconstructing Literary

Naturalism), an intensive study of a single major work

(The Waste Land) or a selected author (James, Faulkner,

Twain, or others).

Close reading of primary texts assigned in conjunction

with the designated topic and extensive reading in relevant

secondary texts, including those providing historical,

cultural, social, and political backgrounds and contexts

as well as those providing a variety of critical and

theoretical approaches to the literature of the period.

C. Detailed Description on Conduct of Course

The course is conducted as a seminar, directed by a

member of the English Department's graduate faculty with

expertise in American Literature since the Civil War and

whose role is essentially that of a consultant.

The seminar meets once or twice a week. These meetings are

most often conducted by one or more seminar participants who

may lead discussion of assigned readings, offering their own

interpretations and critical analyses as well as raising

questions, concerns and/or problems posed by the readings;

engage other seminar participants in debate over

controversial issues; report on readings in secondary

texts; explore potential topics for further research; share

drafts of papers for peer review and response; or make

formal presentations of finished papers.

While seminar meetings afford students the opportunity

to take responsibility for much of their learning and to

engage both with their peers and with the instructor in the

kind of scholarly discourse characteristic of the

discipline, the greatest emphasis is on independent study

and research done outside the classroom. In consultation

with the instructor, students develop an extended research

project culminating most commonly in one or more formal

scholarly papers developing an original thesis and

conforming in style and format to the guidelines of the

Modern Language Association. Students are encouraged to

submit such papers for publication in professional journals

or, if opportunity affords, for presentation at a

professional conference.

D. Goals and Objectives of the Course

The primary goals of the course are for graduate students to

study intensively the particular literary texts, modes,

and traditions of American Literature since the Civil War;

to engage in the kinds of scholarly research, writing, and

discourse characteristic of the discipline; and to develop

and practice the skills requisite for advanced literary

studies in general and for such study of American

Literature since 1861 in particular. Graduate students

pursuing the Master of Arts degree with a concentration in

American Literature will investigate topics of special

interest, undertake significant research into such topics,

and compose formal scholarly papers that may become the

basis for a thesis.

E. Assessment Measures

While individual instructors may wish to consider a

variety of measures in their final assessment of student

achievement in this course (e.g., preparation for and

participation for and participation during seminar meetings,

oral presentations, informal and/or creative writing

exercises, quizzes and examinations), the single most

important measure is the ability of the student to engage in

meaningful independent research, to develop on the basis of

that research an original insight into or perspective on a

significant question, and to present that insight or

perspective in a formal scholarly paper.

F. Other Course Information

This course is offered, with a different subheading, once

every 2 years.

G. Review and Approval

DATE ACTION APPROVED BY

4-1-98 Reviewed and Rosemary Guruswamy

Recommended for Change