1 美国文学Icourse description.pdf

American Literature I An Introduction (for Undergraduate English Majors) Yingjian Guo Ph.D. Xiaolin Zhu Ph.D. Professors of English School of Foreign Studies Minzu University of China w? Office: 1235# Liberal Arts Building w? Office Hours: by appointment w? Moblie: w? E-mail: aurorazhu@163.com Course Description ?? The course will emphasize the American literature as a historical enterprise; not only will we consider a broad expanse of literary periods and movements, but we will read the literature as enmeshed within its historical moment. ?? Issues, debates, and problematics in literary history and canon formation will shape our discussions of the literature. The writing assignments encourage students to consider American literature from several different perspectives. ?? Note: ?? Although this is an introductory course, all students enrolled in this course should already know how to analyze and interpret literature. ?? Be prepared for extensive reading and philosophical discussions about the nature of American literary history. Course Objects ?? 1) To introduce students to fundamental questions in literary history and canon formation; ?? 2) To trace the defining characteristics of various literary periods and movements; ?? 3) To place literary texts and literary movements within their historical contexts; ?? 4) To improve students’ abilities to read, write, speak publicly, and formulate analyses and arguments. Required Texts ?? History and Anthology of American Literature, Edited by Wu Weiren, Volumes 12, Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 1990 ?? Selected Readings of American Literature, Compiled by Yingjian Guo, Volume One, 2002.