Studying at York
American Literature of the Long 19th Century - YorkCourse - ENG00114M
Module summary
This module traces the emergence of America as a great international power in a long nineteenth century that runs from 1830 to 1930. Despite an official political culture of optimism and triumph, American writers show a deep vein of doubt and questioning in texts that explore the paradoxes of a nation that proclaimed all men equal but was founded on slavery and expanded at the expense of its native peoples. The chosen works show the traumas endured by America from Civil War to Great War as it moved from being a refuge from the power struggles of Europe to the dominator of world conflicts, set to a soundtrack of American traditional and popular songs.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2021-22 |
Module aims
- Literary: to use a mixture of close reading and plot analysis to explore the different writing styles of the ‘Long Nineteenth Century’ (C1783-1925) and their purpose.
- Historical/political: to examine the transformation of America from an anti-colonial power and democratic refuge from feudal Europe, to one of the world’s international powers, participating in World War I.
- Sociological: to explore the paradoxes of the Constitution and a literature that is preoccupied with doubt, self-questioning and the undermining of official myths.
- Cultural: to experience how American art created an iconography for ‘the American Dream’ and set this against a view from below; the America of popular and traditional songs.
Module learning outcomes
- Show a thorough and critical understanding of the engagement of American literature with a range of political, social and aesthetic issues in the long 19th Century.
- Describe and evaluate a range of critical perspectives about American literature of the 19th Century.
- Demonstrate familiarity with and the use of a range of research methods and tools (for example, library and archival catalogues and online databases) in order to successfully carry out a substantial piece of independent and original research.
- Demonstrate the ability to present extended and complex arguments in writing and orally to an academic audience.
- Show the academic, personal and professional skills required to equip you to undertake your MA dissertation in Norway and to afterwards carry on to PhD research or make immediate impact upon employment in a relevant field, such as teaching.
Indicative assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Essay |
N/A | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Essay |
N/A | 100 |
Module feedback
Formative: During the teaching period, you will be required to submit detailed essay plan, two part drafts and a full draft of your essay to the module convenor for feedback. You will receive written comments on each of these within 2 weeks of submission. Further feedback will be provided during five one-to-one tutorials which will be evenly spaced throughout the semester. These are designed to help you with the skills needed to successfully conduct individual and original MA-level work/research.
Summative: You will receive written feedback on your summative assessment within 20 working days of submission. This is normally sent via email. You are welcome to discuss this written feedback with the module convenor, your pastoral supervisor, the YorkCourse Co-ordinator and/or the NSC Director.
Indicative reading
- The Oxford Book of American Short Stories
- Crane: The Red Badge of Courage
- Twain: Huckleberry Finn
- Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby
You will be required to research the topic of your essay for yourself using a mix of up-to-date textbooks, specialised books and journals. You will receive training in finding and using academic resources in the weekly separate compulsory research training seminars.