In the course we’ll read several works of prose and poetry from New England, ranging from
some of the earliest American poets to contemporary experimentalists; from the philosophical writings of Emerson and Thoreau to the grim tales of Edgar Allen Poe. We’ll explore what preoccupations have run through the literature of this region, and how they’ve been In the course we’ll read several works of prose and poetry from New England, ranging from reformulated. Through reading, class discussion, five short writing assignments (one typed, double-spaced page in length) and a final paper, the aim is to develop close reading skills as well as skills and strategies for writing about literature. We’ll also touch on different critical approaches, look at a few secondary sources, and discuss how to include criticism in your own writing.

Required texts: Henry David Throeau Walden, Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter, Herman Melville Moby Dick, Bernadette Mayer Midwinter Morning, and a course reader prepared by the instructor.


The course satisfies the university's W requirement. Students will write one final, 10-12 page paper, which they will have an opportunity to revise in consultation with the instructor.