American Literature Before the Civil War
Course Description (Catalog)
This course offers an introduction to American literature from the colonial period to the romantic. The Puritan ethic will be explored using the sermons, diaries, and poetry of early American authors. The political writings of such revolutionaries as Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine are covered. Literary legends such the imaginative writers Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Herman Melville will be explored. The slave narratives that preceded the Civil War will also be investigated.
Course Scope
In this course, we will explore American literature from the first accounts of the European explorers through the Civil War. Questions of ownership and use accompanied the first European explorations and settlements of America. Who owned the land? What rights of possession could the newcomers claim or the earlier inhabitants assert?
The vast tracts of America constituted a wilderness to be tamed – or a paradise to preserve. We will explore nature as a friend and foe. With the passage of time, these questions and dilemmas multiplied, as did the philosophic, economic, and cultural assumptions that helped frame our country.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, the learner must be able to:
1. Identify the major genres and authors of America’s early literature.
2. Practice analyzing literary genres (including: poetry, prose, biographical accounts, and historical accounts).
3. Effectively analyze different periods and movements of American literature.
4. Synthesize information and ideas related to American literature before the Civil War.
5. Articulate an original opinion based on the materials read.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of material covered throughout the term
Evaluation Procedures
Forum Assignments: There is one weekly forum assignment that consists of two parts. Each part must be answered to fulfill forum requirements. Two peer replies are required per week. There are a total of three posts required each week (one initial reply answering Parts 1 and 2, and two separate peer replies.) Students will be asked to respond to eight Discussion Forums over the eight weeks of this course. Initial posts are due by Thursday, 11:55 p.m. Eastern Time, of the assigned week. Each student will then be responsible for responding two other students by Sunday, 11:55 p.m. Eastern Time. Each Discussion Forum entry must be pertinent to the subject matter and demonstrate knowledge (a certain degree of research will be required) and understanding of the topics discussed, with an appropriate introduction, supporting paragraphs, and conclusions. The initial discussion forum entries should contain at least 200 words for each Part for a total of at least 400 words per initial forum post. Students must cite the works being referenced in the discussion. Responses should be substantive and address the nature of the argument and advance the discussion. Spelling, grammar, mechanics and organization are important and will factor into the grade.
Citation and Reference Style
Attention Please: Students will follow the MLA format as the sole citation and reference style used in written work submitted as part of coursework to the University. Assignments completed in a narrative essay or composition format must follow the citation style cited in the MLA format.
Course Resources
Required Readings LITR220 E-Book American Literature before the Civil War links. Adobe Reader is required to view these files. If you do not have this software, please log onto www.adobe.com to download the free reader.
You will need to log-in to each link with your student/faculty ID and password. You must be logged in to your campus page before you can access the links.
Writer, here is my user id and password to access the reading links below
User ID: 3139396 Password: DAvid33 (Case Sensitive)
http://ezproxy.apus.edu/login?url=http://ebooks.apus.edu/LITR220/Perkins_2011_frontmatter.pdf
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http://ezproxy.apus.edu/login?url=http://ebooks.apus.edu/E-book FAQs.docx
Course Announcement about citing sources!!! Please Read Carefully…
Below is the information will you need to craft a proper in text cite and works cited based on the use of the eText. It is important that you quote and cite both your discussion posts and your essays.
If you are quoting from the editorial text of the book, you are quoting the editors George and Barbara Perkins. This is how that citation would look:
In the text: (Perkins, ###).
In the Works Cited:
Perkins, George and Barbara Perkins, Eds. The American Tradition in Literature. Vol. 2, 12th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill. Creat eText.
http://create.mcgraw-hill.com.
If you are quoting from a work within the textbook, you are quoting the author of the work and not Perkins the editors. In this case your citation would look:
In the text: (Hughes, ###).
In the Works Cited:
Hughes, Langston. “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” The American Tradition in Literature. Vol. 2, 12th ed. Eds. George Perkins and Barbara Perkins. Boston: McGraw Hill. Creat eText. http://create.mcgraw-hill.com
Writer, my paper needs to be substantially supported by the course text/ the e-Book above; meaning my references should be the course text. The references used must ONLY be in proper MLA format and be included in the body of the paper as well as at the bottom of the paper. Please login to the readings and read the weekly readings?
Writer, you can choose how many MLA references are necessary for this assignment.
“My paper should be free from any Plagiarism,It should be freshly written”
Assignment Instructions:
Writer, please read the assignment instructions “VERY CAREFULLY” to ensure you answer all parts? Thank you.
Thank you.
Writer, please ensure you base my paper from the weekly e-book/course text readings above properly cite the sources used in the body of the paper as well as the reference page. Below is the course outline for your view too.
Writer, here is my library link to get sources from.
http://www.apus.edu/Online-Library/index.htm?sso=71e6bd47b472f237bc8816f0ef853c07
Here is my user id and password to login to the library to find sources.
User ID: 3139396 PASSWORD: DAvid33 (Case Sensitive)
Writer, the E-book links are above separated by weeks. Please only use the course text and the AMU Library to answer the assignment. Please login and read the e-Book chapters using my User id: 3139396 and Password: DAvid33 (case sensitive). The responses to the assignment must come from what my course text says. “Not” the world wide web because it may be different. Thank you.
Assignment Instructions:
Writer, please answer all parts of the assignment below and please separate Part 1 and Part 2 by writing part 1 and part 2 so I will know which part is which. Thank you
Week 4 Forum The Romantic and the Real American Indian
The Romantic and the Real American Indian ( 0 messages – 0 unread ) There are two parts to this forum. Hide Full Description
INSTRUCTIONS: To post, click on the Topic title to access the topic, and then click the “Post New Thread” button. Each initial post should be approximately 300 words in length. Both Part 1 and Part 2 should be posted in the same response.
Part 1: We see in “Rip Van Winkle” themes of generational change, continuity, preservation, and tradition. Written nearly half a century after the American Revolution, in “Rip Van Winkle” Irving is making a statement about the Revolution. What is it Washington Irving is trying to convey to the reader through his story? Do any of the surrounding characters have roles or represent themes related to the Revolution? If so, what might those be?
Part 2: James Fenimore Cooper challenges the reader to consider who really owns the land and its natural resources. What evidence is in there of natural law versus human law? What can we say about individual freedoms versus the ideal of equal opportunities protected by the institutions of a justly ordered society? Express these juxtapositions using lines from the reading as support. And then please add your opinion of ownership and conservation, law, and freedoms.
Answer the higher order questions of how and why in discussion responses. All discussions referring, responding, or relating to works of literature must be accompanied by in text quotes (or paraphrases) and cites. Please ensure you are properly quoting and citing in MLA format. Remember if there is a citation on the Works Cited page that source must have been used in the body of the forum post. If there is an in text cite in the forum post, that source must be listed on the Works Cited page. They go together and one must accompany the other.
This content is borrowed from the websites. Please follow the links for more background information. This material is similar to class handouts.
Washington Irving
If you would like to read more about Washington Irving, please visit
Washington Irving Video Material
“Rip Van Winkle” FTT
www.youtube.com/watch
This is the first of a six-part series
Washington Irving Audio Material
“Rip Van Winkle”
Listen
If you would like to read more on James Fenimore Cooper, please visit
James Fenimore Cooper Video Material
www.youtube.com/watch
James Fenimore Cooper Audio Material
The Pioneers
Listen
Writer, Thank you and if you have any questions please let me know.
Writer, below is the course outline for your view.
Course Outline
Week Topic Learning Objectives Readings Assignment
1
Introduction to the course
Exploration and colonization
LO-1: Identify the major genres and authors of America’s early literature.
LO-2: Practice analyzing literary genres (including: poetry, prose, biographical accounts, and historical counts).
LO-3: Effectively analyze different periods and movements of American literature.
LO-4: Synthesize information and ideas related to American literature since the Civil War.
LO-5: Articulate an original opinion based on the materials read.
LO-6: Demonstrate
knowledge of material covered throughout the term Exploration and the Colonies p. 2
Natives and Explorers p. 9
Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca:
Author Bio p. 10
The Narrative of Cabeza de Vaca p. 11
Samuel de Champlain: Author Bio p. 21
Voyages of Samuel de Champlain1604-1607 p. 22
Christopher Columbus: Author Bio p. 27
Report of the First Voyage p. 28
John Smith:
Author Bio p. 30
The General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles, Chapter II: What Happened Till the First Supply p. 32
Introduction Post
Week 1 Forum
Parts 1 and 2 Two peer replies
2 The Puritans
Native Americans
Captivity Narrative
Witchcraft
The South and the Middle Colonies LO-1: Identify the major genres and authors of America’s early literature.
LO-2: Practice analyzing literary genres (including: poetry, prose, biographical accounts, and historical counts).
LO-3: Effectively analyze different periods and movements of American literature.
LO-4: Synthesize information and ideas related to American literature since the Civil War.
LO-5: Articulate an original opinion based on the materials read.
LO-6: Demonstrate
knowledge of material covered throughout the term
William Bradford:
Author bio p. 40-41
Of Plymouth Plantation, Book 1. Chapter IX: Of Their Voyage p. 42-49
Of Plymouth Plantation Book 2. The Mayflower Compact (1620) p. 50-57
Puritanism p. 58-59
Anne Bradstreet:
Author bio p. 60-61
Contemplations p. 62-69
Mary Rowlandson:
Author bio p. 72
A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson p. 73-98
Edward Taylor:
Author bio p. 99-100
Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children p. 101-102
Cotton Mather:
Author bio p. 109-110 Bonifacius: Essays to Do Good p. 111-115
The South and the Middle Colonies p. 116-118
St. John de Crevecoeur:
Author bio
http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap2/creve.html
What is an American? Letters from an American Farmer
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/letter_03.asp
Week 2 Forum
Parts 1 and 2 Two peer replies
Week 2 Essay Questions in Assignments
3 Reason and Revolution LO-1: Identify the major genres and authors of America’s early literature.
LO-2: Practice analyzing literary genres (including: poetry, prose, biographical accounts, and historical counts).
LO-3: Effectively analyze different periods and movements of American literature.
LO-4: Synthesize information and ideas related to American literature since the Civil War.
LO-5: Articulate an original opinion based on the materials read.
LO-6: Demonstrate
knowledge of material covered throughout the term Reason and Revolution
p. 120-124
Benjamin Franklin:
Author bio p. 125-127
Speech in the [Constitutional] Convention, at the Conclusion of Its Deliberations p. 128-129 Information to Those Who Would Remove to America p. 130-132
Thomas Paine:
Author bio p. 133-135
From Common Sense
p. 136-145
Thomas Jefferson:
Author bio p.152-153
The Declaration of Independence p. 154-156
Olaudah Equiano:
Author bio p. 162-163
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano Chapter 2 p. 164-172
Phillis Wheatley:
Author bio p. 173
On Being Brought from Africa to America p. 174 His Excellency General Washington p. 175-176 Week 3 Forum
Parts 1 and 2 Two peer replies
4 The Romantic and the Real American Indian
LO-1: Identify the major genres and authors of America’s early literature.
LO-2: Practice analyzing literary genres (including: poetry, prose, biographical accounts, and historical counts).
LO-3: Effectively analyze different periods and movements of American literature.
LO-4: Synthesize information and ideas related to American literature since the Civil War.
LO-5: Articulate an original opinion based on the materials read.
LO-6: Demonstrate
knowledge of material covered throughout the term Washington Irving:
Author bio p. 194-195
Rip Van Winkle p. 196-207
James Fenimore Cooper: Author bio p. 220-222
The Pioneers Chapter I
p. 223-232
he Pioneers Chapter III
p. 233-239
The Pioneers Chapter IV
p. 240-247 Week 4 Forum
Parts 1 and 2 Two peer replies
Essay One in Assignments
5 Transcendentalists LO-1: Identify the major genres and authors of America’s early literature.
LO-2: Practice analyzing literary genres (including: poetry, prose, biographical accounts, and historical counts).
LO-3: Effectively analyze different periods and movements of American literature.
LO-4: Synthesize information and ideas related to American literature since the Civil War.
LO-5: Articulate an original opinion based on the materials read.
LO-6: Demonstrate
knowledge of material covered throughout the term Ralph Waldo Emerson: Author bio p.250-252
Ode to Beauty p. 253-255 Waldeinsamkeit p. 256-257
Henry David Thoreau: Author bio p. 270-271
Walden Visitors p. 272-279 Walden Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors
p. 272-279
Civil Disobedience
p. 289-303 Week 5 Forum
Parts 1 and 2 Two peer replies
6 Romanticism
The Fireside Poets LO-1: Identify the major genres and authors of America’s early literature.
LO-2: Practice analyzing literary genres (including: poetry, prose, biographical accounts, and historical counts).
LO-3: Effectively analyze different periods and movements of American literature.
LO-4: Synthesize information and ideas related to American literature since the Civil War.
LO-5: Articulate an original opinion based on the materials read.
LO-6: Demonstrate
knowledge of material covered throughout the term Edgar Allan Poe:
Author bio p. 306-308
The Premature Burial
p. 309-318
The Masque of the Red Death p. 319-323
Nathaniel Hawthorne: Author bio p. 324-325
Preface to The House of the Seven Gables p. 326-327
The Ambitious Guest
p. 328-333
Herman Melville:
Author bio p. 334-335
Bartleby, the Scrivener
p. 336-361
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Author bio
p. 364-365
My Lost Youth p. 366-368
Oliver Wendell Holmes: Author bio p. 373-375
Old Ironsides p. 376
My Aunt p. 377-378 Week 6 Forum
Parts 1 and 2 Two peer replies
Week 6 Essay Questions in Assignments
7 Anti Slavery
Slave Narratives LO-1: Identify the major genres and authors of America’s early literature.
LO-2: Practice analyzing literary genres (including: poetry, prose, biographical accounts, and historical counts).
LO-3: Effectively analyze different periods and movements of American literature.
LO-4: Synthesize information and ideas related to American literature since the Civil War.
LO-5: Articulate an original opinion based on the materials read.
LO-6: Demonstrate
knowledge of material covered throughout the term
Harriet Beecher Stowe: Author bio p. 379-380
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Chapter VII: The Mother’s Struggle p. 381-390
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Chapter XIX: Miss Ophelia’s Experiences and Opinions, Continued p. 391-394
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Chapter XL: The Martyr p. 395-397
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Chapter XLI: The Young Master
p. 398-401
Harriet Jacobs:
Author bio p. 404-405
From Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl VI The Jealous Mistress p. 406-410
From Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl XVII The Flight p. 410-412
From Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl XVIII Months of Peril p. 412-417
From Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl XIX The Children Sold p.417- 418
Week 7 Forum
Parts 1 and 2 Two peer replies
8 Slave Narrative of Frederick Douglass LO-1: Identify the major genres and authors of America’s early literature.
LO-2: Practice analyzing literary genres (including: poetry, prose, biographical accounts, and historical counts).
LO-3: Effectively analyze different periods and movements of American literature.
LO-4: Synthesize information and ideas related to American literature since the Civil War.
LO-5: Articulate an original opinion based on the materials read.
LO-6: Demonstrate
knowledge of material covered throughout the term
Frederick Douglass:
Author bio p.419
excerpts from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Preface p.420-428
Chapter 1 p. 429-432
Chapter VI p. 433-434
Chapter VII p. 435-438 Chapter XI p. 439-446 Week 8 Forum
Parts 1 and 2 Two peer replies
Essay Two in Assignments
