[人文社科]美国文学讲义.doc

河 西 学 院 讲 义 201 ～201 学年第 学期 课 程 名 称 美国文学史及选读 授课教师 朱玉英 职称 讲师 教师所在单位 河西学院外国语学院 Part One The Literature of Colonial America Teaching Objectives: 1. to clarify the purpose of this course and the requirements; 2. to introduce the social, historical, and cultural background of the American literature in colonial period; 3. to focus on the rep. writes, like William Bradford, John Winthrop, Anne Bradstreet and Roger Williams. A General Introduction to This Course 1. This course is intended to introduce the social and historical background of American literature, and the essential features of the major literary periods so that the students can get the outline of American literatures developing trajectory; to focus on the major writers literary career, major works, and literary style so that the students may understand the literary texts; to improve the students ability of literary appreciation and broaden their knowledge about Western literature and culture. 2. What is American literature? American literature mainly refers to literature produced in American English by the people living in the United States. To be specific, it is the written or literary work produced in the area of the United States and its preceding colonies. For more specific discussions of poetry and theater, see Poetry of the United States and Theater in the United States. During its early history, America was a series of British colonies on the eastern coast of the present-day United States. Therefore, its literary tradition begins as linked to the broader tradition of English literature. However, unique American characteristics and the breadth of its production usually now cause it to be considered a separate path and tradition. Historical Background of Colonial Literature 1. American literature begins with the orally transmitted myths, legends, tales, and lyrics (always songs) of Indian cultures. no written literature 2. The Indians made a contribution to Americ