We'll read and discuss an assortment of novels, stories, poems and memoirs by American authors in the period preceding the Civil War. Students will be expected to attend class regularly, keep up with reading assignments, and take part in open discussion. Written work will consist entirely of a series of brief in-class essays written in response to study questions handed out in advance.

Texts for the course:

Baym, Franklin, et al., editors, THE NORTON ANTHOLOGY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE, Volume B of the seventh edition

James Fenimore Cooper, THE PRAIRIE

Herman Melville, MOBY-DICK

Harriet Beecher Stowe, UNCLE TOM'S CABIN