ENGL 2012 - American Literature: 1900 to Present

1. Modernism Period.
   1. Historical and cultural analysis
      1. Social and cultural events (such as World War I, World War II, the Great Depression, effect of Jim Crow Laws, immigration and migration, systemic racism and sexism, advent of the Civil Rights movement and second-wave feminism, etc.)
      2. Changes in racial, gender, sexual, and class perception and identity
   2. Literary Elements
      1. Common elements of Modernist Literature (such as the focus on literature as high art, stylistic and formalistic literary innovations, fragmented narratives/poems, use of stream-of-consciousness narratives,etc.)
      2. Common themes of Modernist Literature (such as isolation, confusion, disillusionment, reflecting early- to mid-20^th Century American culture and society, etc.).
2. Post-modernism Period.
   1. Historical and cultural analysis
      1. Social and cultural elements (such as the Civil Rights Movement, second-wave feminism, the Vietnam War, popular culture, systemic racism and sexism, the American Indian Movement, LGBTQIA+ issues, revolutions in science, technology, and media, etc.)
      2. Changes in racial, gender, sexual, and class perception and identity
   2. Literary Elements
      1. Common elements of Post-modernist literature (such as intertextuality, fusion of low and high art, metafiction, the influence of other art forms on literature, stylistic and formalistic innovations, etc.)
      2. Common themes of Post-modernist literature (such as incredulity towards metanarratives, ontological focus, satire and irony, dark humor, reflecting mid- to late-20^th century American society and culture, etc.)
3. Contemporary (21^st Century) Period
   1. Historical and cultural analysis
      1. Social and cultural elements (such as intersectionality, gender fluidity, rapid technological advancement, the influence of social media, systemic racism and sexism, third wave feminism, etc.)
      2. Changes in racial, gender, sexual, and class perception and identity.
   2. Literary Elements
      1. Common elements of Contemporary literature (such as the prominence of creative non-fiction and memoir, increasing influence of global perspectives, etc.)
      2. Common themes of Contemporary literature (such as a focus on diverse voices and perspectives, engagement with technology and digital culture, etc.)
4. Close Reading
   1. Techniques for close reading and interpretation of fiction, poetry, drama, and/or non-fiction (e.g., literary elements and devices)
   2. Literary sub-genres (such as the Harlem Renaissance, the Confessional School of poetry, the Native American Renaissance, the Black Arts movement, growing recognition of Asian American and Chicano/Chicana writers, regionalism, use of varied technological platforms in storytelling, et

1. demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in American Literature from 1900 to the present.
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 1900 to the present.
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.

Courses and Registration