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From 1850s
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[edit] American Literature of the 1850s
[edit] Course Introduction
American writers produced some of the most important texts in American literature during a span of only ten years. Even if we have never actually read them, these books have shaped the way Americans think about ourselves and about our culture. Beginning in 1850 with The Scarlet Letter, followed by Moby Dick in 1851, Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1852, Walden in 1854, Leaves of Grass in 1855 the writers we’ll read dealt with issues of American identity, the changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution, and the place of women, men, and children in the culture. Underlying all was the central debate of the century—that over slavery.
[edit] Reading List
- The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Moby Dick, Herman Melville
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe
- Walden, or Life in the Woods, Henry David Thoreau
- Leaves of Grass, 1855 edition (note: make sure you have the 1855 edition!)
- Emily Dickinson, selected poems (handout)
[edit] Research Groups
[edit] Transcendental Wild Oats
[edit] Civil Disobedience
[edit] Faculty
Susan Preciso
- Office: Seminar II B 2112
- Email: precisos(at)evergreen.edu
- x6011
Program Requirements:
- Excellent attendance and full participation in all program activities.
- Completed essay response to each reading, due on the day of seminar.
- Completion and presentation of individual research.
- Completed portfolio to include all written work: essay responses, lecture notes, reading notes , reflective writing, self-evaluation and faculty evaluation.
Reading Response Essays: Length about 500-800 words. Choose one quotation (short) that best illustrates the book’s impact or importance. Begin your essay with that quotation. Then, in your own words, summarize the theme or central ideas in the book in one paragraph. Then, discuss how the context of the author’s times may have influenced the direction of her/his work. How does the author create the meaning?—think about the imagery, dominant themes, style and tone. Essays are due on the final seminar for each book, so on those books with more than one seminar, be sure to come with detailed reading notes and questions you want to bring to the discussion.
A Note About Plagiarism We will follow the college policy as stated in The Evergreen State College Student Advising Handbook regarding academic honesty. See the program covenant for details.
Research and Presentation Project: You will each affiliate with a book group (one for each of our readings). The group will be responsible for a short presentation (20 minute max per group) to be given at our last meeting. The group should think about how its book was first received (find reviews, essays written very soon after its publication). You’ll then trace the history of its place in American culture. What has been its publication history? Has there been strong critique of your book? When and why? Find and share one piece of criticism that your group found especially intriguing/thoughtful. The group will be responsible for a wiki entry on their research; it’s a chance to share good information and outside sources. Find a time to practice your presentation and time it; remember no more than 20 minutes per group!!)
Each individual member of the group will turn in a bibliography listing the sources you found and a 1-2 page description of your contribution to the whole project.
Schedule—some changes will occur!
Week 1 Monday 1/7 Introductions What do we know about the 1850s? Ways of Reading Workshop—Hawthorne short stories Assignment: read The Scarlet Letter, to Chapter IX “The Leech” and take reading notes to bring for seminar.
Wednesday 1/9 Seminar: First section of The Scarlet Letter bring your reading notes 8:00 Frank Barber Workshop—Using the program wiki —Mac Lab (bring your laptop if you want to)
Week 2 Monday 1/14 Lecture: About American Literature—the canon and otherwise Hawthorne and the Puritan Legacy Workshop: On Allegory Assignment: finish reading The Scarlet Letter and write reading response essay for Wednesday.
Wednesday 1/16 Seminar: The Scarlet Letter—Bring your essay response Time to join a research group and begin your project work. Assignment: Read Moby Dick, chapters 1-50 and take reading notes to bring for seminar Wednesday.
Week 3 Monday, 1/21 MLK Holiday
Wednesday 1/23 Lecture—Herman Melville Seminar Moby Dick through chapter 50 Assignment: Read Moby Dick, chapters 51-101 and take reading notes to bring for seminar Monday.
Week 4 Monday 1/28 Lecture: The Bible in American literature Seminar: Moby Dick, chapters 51-102
Wednesday 1/30 Assignment: finish Moby Dick and write reading response essay for Monday.
Week 5 Monday 2/4 Movie: Herman Melville's "Bartleby" Workshop—Imagery in Hawthorne and Melville Assignment: Read selected Dickinson poems (Handout)
Wednesday 2/6 Film: Emily Dickinson Poetry Workshop on Dickinson’s poems Mid-Quarter reflection –in-class writing Assignment: Read Uncle Tom’s Cabin to Chapter 19 and take reading notes to bring for seminar Monday.
Week 6 Monday 2/11 Lecture—Harriet Beecher Stowe Guest Lecture--Marla Elliott on Sacred Heart (or "Shape Note" singing). Project groups meet
Wednesday 2/13 Workshop—first half Uncle Tom’s Cabin James Loewen Lecture: "The Most Important Period of U.S. History That You Never Heard Of, Why You Didn't, and What Difference It Makes." Longhouse. 7-9:00 Assignment: finish Uncle Tom’s Cabin and write response essay for seminar Wednesday.
Week 7 Monday 2/18 Presidents’ Day Holiday
Wednesday 2/20 Lecture: The Politics of Slavery Seminar: Uncle Tom’s Cabin Assignment: Read selections from Walden and take reading notes to bring for Mon. seminar
Week 8 Monday 2/25 Lecture—Transcendentalism Seminar: Walden
Wednesday 2/27 Film: Little Women Short lecture/workshop Louisa May Alcott Assignment: Read Leaves of Grass, 1855 edition (important: make sure you have this edition!) write reading response essay for Wednesday.
Week 9 Monday 3/3 Lecture: Walt Whitman Film—The Wilderness and the West [videorecording] / written & presented by Robert Hughes
Wednesday 3/5 Seminar/Workshop: Leaves of Grass
Week 10 Monday 3/10 Lecture/Workshop—the American Canon Self-Evaluation Workshop
Wednesday 3/12 Project Fair/Potluck
March 17-12 Evaluation Week
SPRING BREAK
[edit] Link to list of good books
http://www2.evergreen.edu/wikis/1850s/index.php?title=List_of_good_books
