ENG1304 – American Literature
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course provides a general introduction to American literature, where the main focus is on the nineteenth and the twentieth century. Attention will be paid to the ways in which literary texts speak to the reader, and the syllabus texts will be studied in terms of developments in literary history and the history of ideas.
Wherever relevant, the teaching will draw on the wider historical, social and cultural context from which the texts spring.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you:
- have an overview of American literature, its central themes, literary periods, and key artistic features
- can analyze literary texts in a variety of genres
- can write an essay that makes literary-critical arguments
- can express yourself in appropriate academic English
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Lectures are open to the public. Seminar teaching requires admission to the course.
Recommended previous knowledge
The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English
Teaching
Lectures, 2 hours weekly for 10 weeks, and seminars, 2 hours weekly for 8 weeks. 36 hours in all.
- An essay of 5 standard pages (a standard page consists of 2,300 characters) submitted by a stated deadline. References and bibliography comes in addition. You will get written feedback on the essay. Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements. Information about guidelines for obligatory activities.
- It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 5 of 8 seminars. The requirement is absolute.
The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.
If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.
If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.
In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for special needs accomodations.
Examination
The form of assessment is a 4-hour written examination.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
Once the course requirements have been fulfilled, they remain valid for the current and the next two semesters that the course is taught.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.