American Literature

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1) Survey and distinguish between the major works, periods and movements in American literature from the beginnings of Native American literatures to the literature of the US in the second half of the 19th century.
2) Describe historically the social, cultural and political background as well as the correspondance between both canonized or non-canonized literary works of American Literature.
3) Examine critically issues and conflicts of race, class, gender, ethnicity and age that are essential to the American literary identity.
4) Explain the social conditions in America in their impact on and relationship with the themes, techniques, and trends in literature since the colonial contacts to the Civil War period.
5) Compare and contrast the literary traditions of America and Europe.