English 2202: Modern American Literature
Course Description: Introduces prominent American writers and influential literary works that have shaped American cultural identity from 1865 through the present. The course takes a broad view of the traditional canon to include writers and works from many areas of America's past. Instructors recommend that students complete ENGL 1105 before registering for this course. 3 credits
Fulfills the following Minnesota Transfer Curriculum areas:
Goal 6: The Humanities and Fine Arts
1. demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
2. understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within a historical and social context.
3. respond critically to works in the arts and humanities. 5. articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
Goal 7: Human Diversity
1. understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States’ history and culture.
2. demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society.
3. analyze their attitudes, behaviors, concepts, and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.
4. Describe and discuss the experience and contributions (political, social, economic, etc.) of the many groups that shape American society and culture, in particular those groups that have suffered discrimination and exclusion.
Topics to be Covered: Major forms of American writing and writers from 1865 through the present.
Student Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate knowledge of canonical works of American literature, such as recognizing the names of major American writers and associating each writer with their works.
Demonstrate knowledge of major genres and styles in American literature, such as identifying and analyzing the roles of character, metaphor, plot, setting and structure in all literature; and understanding major themes of American writing.
Demonstrate knowledge of major periods and historical developments in American literature, such as analyzing the major influences (ethnicity, race, religion, war, environment, historical events, philosophy) on American writing.
Explain the development of (and changing meanings of) group identities in the United States’ history and culture related to American Literature from 1865 through the present.
Explain how individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society shaped American cultural identity from 1865 through the present.
Compare and contrast present day attitudes, behaviors, concepts, and beliefs (regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry) with those in America living from 1865 through the present.
Describe and discuss the experience and contributions (political, social, economic, etc.) of the many groups (1865 through the present) that shaped American society and culture, in particular, focusing on those groups that have suffered discrimination and exclusion.
This course is part of a transfer pathway because it meets competencies in Content Area 2 - A Literature Survey Course (Any Period or Combination of American and/or British Literature)
1. Demonstrate knowledge of canonical works of British/American literature
2. Demonstrate knowledge of major genres and styles in British/American literature
3. Demonstrate knowledge of major periods and historical developments in British/American literature
VIRTUAL DAY INFORMATION:
All class activities and assignments are posted daily at our Google Classroom page. I will share distance learning expectations with students.
On VIrtual Learning days, the assigned work will be posted by 10:00 a.m. Unless noted otherwise, the work should be completed by class time the following day. Each student will need to "check in" to be counted present.
Starting in 2023-2024, I will open a Google Meet from 10:15 to 11:15 am as an "office hour" during which time you may join the Meet and ask questions.
GRADING INFORMATION
Students receive college credit if they meet REACH Program eligibility requirements and earn at least a C-.
Final grades will be figured according to the district's 90/80/70/60 scale. You can check your scores and grades online, but please do not do so during class unless you ask first. I work hard to be prompt and accurate. Let me know if you see any mistakes, of course. I will fix them.