Welcome to American Literature II
Spring 2009

Catalog Description: This survey course covers selected works in American literature from Civil War and Reconstruction to the present. Emphasis is placed on historical background, cultural context, and literary analysis of selected works in Realism, Naturalism, Modernism, the Harlem Renaissance, and the later 20th Century. Upon completion, students should be able to interpret, analyze, and respond to literary works in their historical and cultural contexts.

Instructor: Steve Reynolds

Course Outcomes: A student who completes this course should be able to:

• Analyze selections from American literature using a variety of critical approaches, and appreciate the historical and cultural significance of the works.
• Distinguish between works from the various historical periods on the basis of formal literary characteristics, subject matter, and prevailing world views.
• Evaluate the personal impact that literary works from different eras and cultural traditions have on their own values and world views
• Identify and explain diverse cultural customs, values, traditions and lifestyles as revealed through the lives and literatures of diverse people of the United States.
• Use library sources to research topics related to literary works.

Required Text:

• Text 1: McMichael, George, et al. eds. Anthology of American Literature. Vol. 2. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2007.

Recommended Texts:

• Text 2: Any collegiate dictionary (paperback is fine).
• Text 3: A college English handbook (from English 1A), such as Writer's Reference.

Reading List: If you would like to get a jump start on the reading for this class over the winter break, you can pick and choose from the list of authors and titles below. Don't feel compelled to read everything over the break! I recommend reading the longer works, especially the novel by Kate Chopin and the plays by Eugene O'Neill and August Wilson.