"Multicultural America: An introduction to the LIterature and Culture of the United States"
This is an introductory course on American Culture and Literature. It will provide an overview of the XIX century American literature till the beginning of the twentieth century, of the developments of American English, regional and racial differences using short stories and with a specific focus on multiculturalism.
Students will acquire a general knowledge of the language, culture, institutions and selectied literary trends and texts of the U.S.
The course aims to familiarize students with major trends of American culture and with important works in different genres (fiction, essay, drama, poetry, film). Students will learn how to analyze such works competently from a historical and generic perspective.
Lecture course. Three hours per week given in two classes (of 2 hours and 1 hour respectively).
Background readings on US history and language; readings of short stories by a variety of American authors like Edgar A. Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain, Charles Chesnutt. To give relevance to the theme of multiculturalism the course will propose texts written by authors with a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Reading List
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Edgar Allan Poe
Herman Melville
Mark Twain
Charles Chesnutt
Melvyn Bragg, The Adventure of English ("My America", "Wild West Words", "Sold Down the River") Outline of American History (2005) http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/history-2005/
Toni Morrison Playing in the Dark (extracts)
PAOLA ANNA NARDI (President)
MASSIMO BACIGALUPO
Week of 26 February 2018
ANGLO-AMERICAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE I
Students will take a written exam at the end of the course (June, July, September, October 2018 February 2019). Their work will be evaluated by the lecturer and a colleague in the same subject.
EXAMINATION PROCEDURE There will be a written exam (3 hours), which can be taken in June-July, September-October 2017 or February 2018. The exam is in three parts: Part 1 - Fill in the blank (10 questions); Part 2 - Short Answer (5 questions); Part 3 - Essay questions (3 questions).
