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This course will allow us to thoroughly examine the literature that shaped America during the nineteenth century. As a class, we will read some of the greatest literary classics ever written and, as we dissect the writers’ stories and messages, determine how, exactly, the writing shaped the developing society and vice versa. We will read essays, short stories, and novels, along with films, that address the relevant issues of the day. The purpose of this course is to not only read and discuss great works, but, moreover, to figure out the pragmatic scope of the American character. This course is both reading and writing intensive. As such, to make sure we are processing the classroom discussions, we will have several exams on the short stories, novels, and films we scrutinize together. Each of us will be responsible for multiple short essay papers that will require online and/or library research, and there will also be a major research paper assigned that will require each of us to review and outline lessons learned throughout the entire semester; as such, constant note taking is not only strongly encouraged but required. Keep in mind that this class requires the ability to engage in mature conversations, as we will talk openly about racism, religion, sexism, sex, Class, culture, poverty, and politics.

This course will allow us to thoroughly examine the literature that shaped America during the nineteenth century. As a class, we will read some of the greatest literary classics ever written and, as we dissect the writers’ stories and messages, determine how, exactly, the writing shaped the developing society and vice versa. We will read essays, short stories, and novels, along with films, that address the relevant issues of the day. The purpose of this course is to not only read and discuss great works, but, moreover, to figure out the pragmatic scope of the American character. This course is both reading and writing intensive. As such, to make sure we are processing the classroom discussions, we will have several exams on the short stories, novels, and films we scrutinize together. Each of us will be responsible for multiple short essay papers that will require online and/or library research, and there will also be a major research paper assigned that will require each of us to review and outline lessons learned throughout the entire semester; as such, constant note taking is not only strongly encouraged but required. Keep in mind that this class requires the ability to engage in mature conversations, as we will talk openly about racism, religion, sexism, sex, Class, culture, poverty, and politics.