I Hear America Singing: 19th Century American Literature and Culture

Spring 2012 quarter

Faculty

Susan Preciso English literature , Marla Elliott performance, voice, community studies

Fields of Study

American studies, literature and music

Preparatory for studies or careers in

teaching, American studies

Description

In this one-quarter program, students will read classics in American literature, learn about American music, and explore American culture as it was shaped in the vibrant, chaotic years that frame the Civil War.  Herman Melville, Stephen Foster, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman,  Harriet Beecher Stowe, and B.F. White are some of the authors and composers we will study.  Students will learn and participate in our exploration of American music by learning shape note singing, an American folk choral tradition.  Exploring ante and post-bellum beliefs about race and the politics of slavery will be central to our study.  Students should expect to be active participants in all program activities, which will include seminar, workshops, lectures, and films.  We will also meet for one full Saturday this quarter, which may be a field trip or other program enrichment.

Advertised Schedule

6-9:30p Mon/Wed plus one Saturday event (date TBA)

Location

Olympia

Online Learning

Enhanced Online Learning

Books

Greener Store

Offered During

Evening and Weekend