ENGL 2011 - American Literature to 1900

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab None
Course Description: This college literature course intended for all students analyzes and explores American Literature from its origins to 1900. Typical writers may include Bradstreet, Wheatley, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Douglass, Dickinson, Whitman, Twain, Chesnutt, and Chopin.
MnTC Goals
6 Humanities/Fine Arts

7 Human Diversity

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: ENGL 1020   with a grade of C or higher OR ENGL 1021  with a grade of C or higher.

Major Content

1. Pre-Colonial Period
   1. Close reading
   2. Historical and cultural analysis
   3. Literary elements
2. Colonial Period
   1. Close reading
   2. Historical and cultural analysis
   3. Literary elements
3. American Romanticism
   1. Close reading
   2. Historical and cultural analysis
   3. Literary elements
4. American Realism 
   1. Close reading
   2. Historical and cultural analysis
   3. Literary elements

1. demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in American Literature from its origins to 1900.
2. analyze those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.
3. respond critically to works in American Literature from its origins to 1900.
4. articulate an informed personal reaction to works in American Literature.
5. analyze basic literary elements in works studied.
6. analyze the development and changing meanings of group identities in U.S. history and culture.
7. analyze and articulate the similarities and differences between their attitudes, behaviors, concepts, and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry and those of the writers, characters, and situations encountered in American Literature.
8. articulate an informed reaction to the experiences and contributions of varied groups that shape American society and culture, in particular those groups that have suffered discrimination and exclusion.

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