ENG4349 – American Literature and Civilization 1860-1917

Course description

• Course content
• Learning outcome
• Admission
• Prerequisites

• Overlapping courses
• Teaching
• Examination

Course content

The course gives a survey of American literature, culture, and history from the Civil War till World War I. In the study of the literature of the period particular emphasis will be placed on realism, naturalism, and local color, while the civilization syllabus places particular emphasis on immigration, race relations, and the development of the United States as a world power.

Learning outcome

Students will develop an understanding of central features of the development of American literature and history in the period. They will also develop their critical and analytical capabilities and their abilities to present their arguments in writing.

Admission

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.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

The course can be taken as a first course, but it is recommended to have at least 10 points in litterature or cultural knowledge in advance.

Recommended previous knowledge

The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English

Overlapping courses

This course overlaps with ENG2309 – American Literature and Civilization 1860-1917 (discontinued).

Teaching

The course is taught throughout the semester with 3 hours per week. At the middle of the semester there is a two-week period with no teaching, which will be used for self-study and work with assignments. The students are supposed to attend the course regularly

Examination

Students must write a term paper of ten standard pages (app. 23,000 characters) during the semester. The final grade wil be based on a portfolio containing the draft of the term paper, the finished term paper, and an oral examination. Only students who have submitted a draft and a finished term paper will be given an oral exam. These elements will be assessed on a graded scale where A to E are passing grades and F is a failing grade.