ENG4348 – Early American Literature and Civilization 1607-1860
Course description
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.
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Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
The course can be taken as a first course, but it is recommended to have at least 10 points in litterature or cultural knowledge in advance.
Recommended previous knowledge
The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English
Overlapping courses
This course overlaps with ENG2308 – 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. At the middle of the semester there is a two-week period with no teaching, which will be used for self-study and work with assignments. The students are supposed to attend the course regularly.
Examination
Students must turn in an essay of some 2,500 words 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.