ENGL 1730 - Contemporary American Literature

Credit Hours: 3.00

Objectives:

1. Students will assess the quality of literary works through criteria based on core elements.
2. Within a written report and/or classroom discussion, students will employ core elements such as theme, characterization, plot structure, literary devices, setting, and tone to analyze textual concepts.

Outcome 2:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the interaction between American history, culture and literature.

Objectives:

1. Students will identify the historical, cultural, and literary implications of various works of literature.
2. Within a written report and/or classroom discussion, students will analyze the relationship between historical and cultural contexts of the literature, and of the period.

Outcome 3:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to explain the function of literary criticism.

Objectives:

1. Students will analyze and interpret works of literature using literary criticism.
2. Students will write at least one formal essay using literary criticism.

• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

1. Literary elements
   1. Theme: Identify important themes.
   2. Characterization: Identify methods of characterization.
   3. Plot Structure: Identify exposition, conflict, and resolution.
   4. Literary Devices: Identify symbolism, metaphor, simile, figures of speech, imagery, and irony.
   5. Setting: Identify the historical, geographical and physical setting.
   6. Tone: Identify characteristics that develop tone in an American literary work
2. Historical Framework: Identify and analyze historical references within the text.
3. Cultural framework: Identify and analyze cultural allusions within the text.
4. Literary Criticism: Use critical interpretations to identify and evaluate literary elements, historical references, and cultural allusions