ENG2308 – Early American Literature and Civilization 1607-1860
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course is devoted to a chronological study of American literature and civilization from the earliest period of settlement in North America until 1860. In the civilization part of the course a special emphasis is placed on colonization, the American War of Independence, the westward expansion and the period leading up to the Civil War. In the literature part, the main emphasis will be on the first great flowering of American literature during the period of 1830-1860 ("the American Renaissance").
Learning outcome
The students will become familiar with central points of development in American history and literature during the period. A further aim is to enhance the students' critical and analytical abilities and to provide opportunities for exercise in written presentation and argumentation.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
The students must have taken at least 10 study points in literature/culture, preferably ENG1304 – American Literature / ENG1506 – American History and Society: An Introduction or equivalent.
Recommended previous knowledge
The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English
Overlapping courses
This course overlaps with ENG4348 – Early American Literature and Civilization 1607-1860 (discontinued).
Teaching
The course is taught throughout the semester with 3 hours per week, 42 hours in all. Half-way through the semester there is a period of one (autumn term) or two (spring term) reading weeks without teaching, to be used for individual study and work on assignments. The students are supposed to attend the course regularly.
Examination
Students must turn in an essay (abt. 5 standard pages) in either literature or civilization. At the end of the course there will be a two-hour written exam with questions from both literature and civilization. These two parts of the evaluation will count 1:1. Students must obtain passing grades in both parts to pass the course. Marks are given on a scale from A to E for pass and F for fail.