This course is a comprehensive introduction to American literature beginning from 1865 through the present, including major American historical literary movements, such as Realism, Naturalism, Modernism, and Post-Modernism, with attention to the cultural and social contexts in which all of these literatures were produced and will engage questions of race, gender, and class. The course also gives attention to the development of specific literature aimed at the adolescent audience by incorporating literatures, such as Mark Twain, Barbara Sewell, Dr. Seuss, and Lois Lowry. The course also gives attention to assessment tools to measure comprehension of literature studied, written about, and researched. Students explore different literary theories relevant to the variety of literature covered and may engage in collaborative communication through group dynamics (i.e., oral presentations) that build students’ leadership roles.
