Course Catalogue

Humanities and Social Science

1. To introduce arriving first year students to a sample of American literature and key critical approaches that will be developed on the degree; 2. To problematise the idea of the 'classic' work of literature, and explore the status of such books in American culture as a whole; 3. To give students practice in different modes of reading and critical analysis.

Outline Syllabus:The course begins with an introduction problematising the notion of the ‘classic’ literary work and exploring related issues to do with reading, literacy and canon formation. The following weeks are divided into 2-3 week segments for the extended study of selected texts, under the same basic structure: a) text: language and stylistic qualities b) context: exploration of historical context through selected documents c) critical histories: investigation of the text’s rereading at different historical moments, the establishing of a history of rereading , and permutations in popular culture (e.g. film adaptation)

Module Overview:
This module introduces you to a sample of American literature and key critical approaches that will be developed on your degree. You will develop the ability to articulate your response to works of literature, informed by a knowledge of historical contexts and perspectives. You will engage with debates about the role and status of reading in American culture and demonstrate a range of basic skills specific to the reading of literary texts.

Additional Information:The module incorporates an additional weekly hour’s workshop outside of the standard teaching block (i.e. on a different day), to be used for additional lectures, reading sessions and informal seminars. This module includes among its classics African-American writings such as (indicative example) Solomon Northrup’s Twelve Years a Slave (1853).