Introduction to American Studies

Fakultet for humaniora, samfunnsvitenskap og lærerutdanning

This course may be taken as a singular course.

The course provides an introduction to American literature and culture. It represents a historical, highly selective survey course of American literature from colonial times to the present, with primary emphasis on texts from the Romantic Age to the present. Texts from the various periods are analyzed closely and discussed in their socio-cultural contexts. The course thus attempts to integrate the study of literature and culture. The major genres of literature are represented in the course, and it provides students with the basic methods and tools of textual analysis, designed to make them more proficient in close reading.

Introductory knowledge and comprehension:
- of the history of American literature and culture
- of different literary genres of American writing
- of methods and concepts for the study of literary and cultural texts
- of a variety of samples of fiction, poetry, and drama

Proficiency:
- to strengthen your ability to explain your ideas in a succinct, coherent manner and support them with close reading of texts
- acquisition of advanced skills for the close reading of texts

Language of instruction and examination is English.

4 hours of teaching for 13 weeks. Quality assurance: The subject undergoes an end evaluation every third year.

Coursework requirement:
One obligatory essay of four pages. This essay must be approved by the instructor. Students who do not hand in their essay and get it approved, are barred from sitting for the final exam in the course.

Coursework requirements are evaluated as approved/not approved.

Assessment method:
A 6-hour school exam.

Performance in the course will be assessed with the grades A-F. Grades are A-E for passed and F for failed. A re-examination is offered in the event of an F-grade. The deadline to register for re-examination is January 15th for the autumn semester and August 15th for the spring semester.

Skriftlig eksamen: 07.12.2011

The date for the exam can be changed. The final date will be announced at your faculty early in May and early in November.

Skriftlig eksamen

ENG-1120 Liberty, Equality and Power: American Culture in Text and Film 10

Primary reading:
The Shorter Norton Anthology of American Literature, 7th Edition (Volumes 1 and 2)
Alice Walker (1982) The Color Purple
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Primary electronic resource:
America`s History in the Making: www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/

Recommended reading / Secondary reading:
Philip Jenkins (1997) A History of the United States
Cokie Roberts (2004) Founding Mothers: the Women Who Raised Our Nation
Barack Obama (1995) Dreams From My Father

Several additional short readings will be available electronically. Students will be notified about these by the first day of class.