American Literature

Students will study, analyze, and imitate various literary movements in American literature, including the Puritan style, Age of Enlightenment, the Romantic period, Transcendentalism, the Fireside Poets, Realism, the Lost Generation, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Modern Period. All appropriate genres are presented within each period.

The students will need to read the Prentice Hall American literature text as well as 4 other novels, The Scarlet Letter, Huck Finn, The Great Gatsby, and The Old Man and the Sea. Students will write essay assignments that analyze, imitate, and synthesize the various styles. Students will also present their work to the class in both creative and traditional ways.

The class format will include lecture, discussion, and student presentations.

Texts: Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience 0-13-698614-5 (This text is a used text and is available at various online used textbook sites.) Also needed are copies of The Scarlet Letter, Huck Finn, The Great Gatsby, and The Old Man and the Sea.

Tutor: Cindy Herndon

updated 3/2/08