Course Resources Archive
EX218: Nineteenth Century American Writing
| Module Title | Nineteenth Century American Writing |
|---|---|
| Module Code | EX218 |
| Module Tutor | Charlotte Beyer |
| School | Humanities |
| CAT Points | 30 |
| Level of Study | 5 |
| Pre-requisites | Pass 2 from EX Level I |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Restrictions | None |
| Brief Description | This module is intended to provide students with a variety of texts, which represent the predominantly New England tradition of fiction, poetry and essay writing of the mid- to late- nineteenth century. Following a broadly chronological model, the course begins with an introduction to transcendentalist thought through the essays of Emerson and the work of Whitman and Thoreau. 'Canonical' writing by Nathanial Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and Edgar Allen Poe are considered and problematised in the light of Frederick Douglass's Narrative of the Life of an American Slave and the poetry of Emily Dickinson. Finally, Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage, Henry James's Washington Square and Kate Chopin's The Awakening provide texts which look toward twentieth century notions of modernity. |
| Indicative Syllabus | This module is intended to provide students with a variety of texts, which represent the predominantly New England tradition of fiction, poetry and essay writing of the mid- to late- nineteenth century. Following a broadly chronological model, the course begins with an introduction to transcendentalist thought through the essays of Emerson and the work of Whitman and Thoreau. 'Canonical' writing by Nathanial Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Edgar Allen Poe and Mark Twain are considered and problematised in the light of Frederick Douglass's Narrative of the Life of an American Slave and the poetry of Emily Dickinson. The second semester will provide an opportunity for students to choose options on a variety of themes, including Native American writing, political writing, children’s literature and slave narratives. Finally, Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage, Henry James's Washington Square and Kate Chopin's The Awakening provide texts which look toward twentieth century notions of modernity. |
| Learning Outcomes | i. Knowledge and Understanding By the end of this modules students should be able to demonstrate that they have: a) engaged in a close reading of a variety of texts in relation to questions of gender, race and identity; b) interrogated the notion of a specifically 'American' literary tradition, placed in the context of the rhetorical and ideological construction of 'Americanness'; c) explored the ways in which specific texts challenge or endorse aspects of cultural imperatives. ii. Skills The module is intended to develop students' oral and written and presentation skills, as well as those concerned with analysis, reflection and synthesis. |
| Learning and Teaching Activities | Staff/student contact 16% Student private study 84% |
| Assessment (For further details see the Module Guide) | 001: 20% Coursework: Standard: 1000 words or equivalent 002: 30% Coursework: Standard: 2000 words or equivalent 003: 50% Written Exam: End of year, unseen, closed book: 2.00 hours |
| Special Assessment Requirements | None |
| Indicative Resources | The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide. |
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