ENG 215 - Early American Literature: Colonial to 1865

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
This course meets the Arts & Humanities General Education Requirement.

Survey the literature of the United States from its colonial beginnings to the Civil War. Study major influences - literary, historical and social - reflected in the writing of this period.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 101 /ENG 101A or permission of the department chair.

Crosslisted: Also offered as ENG 215H ; credit is not given for both ENG 215 and ENG 215H .

Note: Typically offered at MC and OL; fall, spring, and summer terms.

Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Analyze and evaluate selected works of American literature from its beginnings through the Civil War;
Trace and compare the racial, ethnic, gender, and class differences which constitute the American experience and which are reflected in its literature;
Explain the relationship of the literature to its intellectual, social, and cultural backgrounds;
Identify and trace changes in literary forms, themes, and conventions during the period;
Write analytically about a variety of texts;
Practice close textual analysis that demonstrates development of critical thinking skills.