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English 358: Studies in Early American Literature

Fall 2000

Winston

Office: East College 401

Office Hours: Tuesday, 11-2, and by appointment

Tel: [(717) 245-] 1363; FAX: (717) 245-1942

E-mail: winston@dickinson.edu

Homepage: http://www.dickinson.edu/~winston/

This course will trace the development of American literature from its Puritan roots through to the early 19th century. We will utilize a variety of critical approaches to understand these early works. In particular, we will explore the history and culture of early America in order to read this literature in its applicable contexts.

Thu, 08-31
Reading the syllabus;

The Puritans

Tue, 09-05
The Puritans (cont.);

Anne Bradstreet (in Eberwein, ed.)

"The Prologue," "The Author to Her Book,"

"The Vanity of All Worldly Things,"

Thu, 09-07 Anne Bradstreet "Contemplations"

  Tue, 09-12 Anne Bradstreet
"To My Dear and Loving Husband," "A Letter to Her Husband,"

"Upon My Dear and Loving Husband,"

"Before the Birth of One of Her Children,"

"In Reference to Her Children"

Thu, 09-14 Anne Bradstreet
"In Memory of Elizabeth Bradstreet," "In Memory of Anne Bradstreet,"

"Meditation: May 13, 1657," "Upon the Burning of Our House,"

"As Weary Pilgrim"

  Tue, 09-19 Edward Taylor (in Eberwein, ed.)
Gods Determinations: "The Preface,"

"Gods Selecting Love In the Decree,"

"The Frowardness of the Elect in the Work of Conversion"

Thu, 09-21 Edward Taylor
Occasional Poems:

"Upon a Spider Catching a Fly,"

"Upon a Wasp Child with Cold," "Huswifery,"

"Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children"

  Tue, 09-26 Edward Taylor
Perparatory Meditations, First Series:

"Prologue," "The Experience," "The Return,"

"23. Meditation. Cant. 4.8. My Spouse"

Paper #1 Due

Thu, 09-28 Mary Rowlandson A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson

  Tue, 10-03 Mary Rowlandson A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson

Thu, 10-05 Ebenezer Cooke (in Eberwein, ed.) The Sot-Weed Factor

  Tue, 10-10 Benjamin Franklin The Autobiography

Thu, 10-12 NO CLASS: Mid-Term Pause

  Tue, 10-17 Benjamin Franklin The Autobiography

Thu, 10-19 Benjamin Franklin The Autobiography

  Tue, 10-24 Olaudah Equiano The Life of Olaudah Equiano; or Gustavus Vassa

Thu, 10-26 Olaudah Equiano The Life of Olaudah Equiano; or Gustavus Vassa

  Tue, 10-31 Susanna Rowson Charlotte Temple

Thu, 11-02 Susanna Rowson Charlotte Temple

  Tue, 11-07 J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur Letters from an American Farmer

Thu, 11-09 J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur Letters from an American Farmer

  Tue, 11-14 J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur Letters from an American Farmer

Thu, 11-16 Philip Freneau (in Eberwein, ed.)
"Ode to Fancy," "The Vernal Ague," "The Vision of the Night,"

"To the Memory of the Brave Americans,"

"A Picture of The Times,"

"The Deserted Farmhouse," "The Wild Honey Suckle,"

"The Indian Burying Ground," "To an Author"

  Tue, 11-21 Critical Research Paper Due

Thu, 11-23 Thanksgiving Vacation

  Tue, 11-28 Philip Freneau (in Eberwein, ed.)
"The Vanity of Existence," "The Hurricane,"

"On the Uniformity and Perfection of Nature,"

"On the Universality and Other Attributes of the God of Nature,"

"On the Religion of Nature"

Thu, 11-30 William Cullen Bryant (in Eberwein, ed.),
"Inscription for the Entrance to a Wood," "To a Waterfowl,"

"Thanatopsis," "Mutation," "A Forest Hymn,"

"The Hurricane," "To Cole, the Painter, Departing for Europe,"

"The Poet"

  Tue, 12-05 James Fenimore Cooper The Pioneers

Thu, 12-07 James Fenimore Cooper The Pioneers

Take-Home Final Examination: Due no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, 11 Dec.

Requirements:

Regular attendance and conscientious preparation for class. (Preparation, attendance, and participation are crucial to this course and your success in it. Students who miss more than two classes in the course of the semester may expect to have their final grades lowered.)

One short essay of approximately 1,500 words (approximately 20%)

One critical research essay of approximately 3,000-3,500 words (approximately 40%)

A take-home final examination (approximately 40%)

Students must complete all requirements of the course in order to pass. This course follows College policies regarding all matters of academic dishonesty. It is the responsibility of each student to know the policies. Please see the current Dickinson College Student Handbook and other appropriate sources.

The instructor reserves the right to adjust the syllabus as necessary.

Thu, 08-31	Reading the syllabus; The Puritans
Tue, 09-05	The Puritans (cont.); Anne Bradstreet (in Eberwein, ed.)	"The Prologue," "The Author to Her Book," "The Vanity of All Worldly Things,"
Thu, 09-07	Anne Bradstreet	"Contemplations"
Tue, 09-12	Anne Bradstreet	"To My Dear and Loving Husband," "A Letter to Her Husband," "Upon My Dear and Loving Husband," "Before the Birth of One of Her Children," "In Reference to Her Children"
Thu, 09-14	Anne Bradstreet	"In Memory of Elizabeth Bradstreet," "In Memory of Anne Bradstreet," "Meditation: May 13, 1657," "Upon the Burning of Our House," "As Weary Pilgrim"
Tue, 09-19	Edward Taylor (in Eberwein, ed.)	Gods Determinations: "The Preface," "Gods Selecting Love In the Decree," "The Frowardness of the Elect in the Work of Conversion"
Thu, 09-21	Edward Taylor	Occasional Poems: "Upon a Spider Catching a Fly," "Upon a Wasp Child with Cold," "Huswifery," "Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children"
Tue, 09-26	Edward Taylor	Perparatory Meditations, First Series: "Prologue," "The Experience," "The Return," "23. Meditation. Cant. 4.8. My Spouse" Paper #1 Due
Thu, 09-28	Mary Rowlandson	A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson
Tue, 10-03	Mary Rowlandson	A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson
Thu, 10-05	Ebenezer Cooke (in Eberwein, ed.)	The Sot-Weed Factor
Tue, 10-10	Benjamin Franklin	The Autobiography
Thu, 10-12	NO CLASS: Mid-Term Pause
Tue, 10-17	Benjamin Franklin	The Autobiography
Thu, 10-19	Benjamin Franklin	The Autobiography
Tue, 10-24	Olaudah Equiano	The Life of Olaudah Equiano; or Gustavus Vassa
Thu, 10-26	Olaudah Equiano	The Life of Olaudah Equiano; or Gustavus Vassa
Tue, 10-31	Susanna Rowson	Charlotte Temple
Thu, 11-02	Susanna Rowson	Charlotte Temple
Tue, 11-07	J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur	Letters from an American Farmer
Thu, 11-09	J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur	Letters from an American Farmer
Tue, 11-14	J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur	Letters from an American Farmer
Thu, 11-16	Philip Freneau (in Eberwein, ed.)	"Ode to Fancy," "The Vernal Ague," "The Vision of the Night," "To the Memory of the Brave Americans," "A Picture of The Times," "The Deserted Farmhouse," "The Wild Honey Suckle," "The Indian Burying Ground," "To an Author"
Tue, 11-21		Critical Research Paper Due
Thu, 11-23	Thanksgiving Vacation
Tue, 11-28	Philip Freneau (in Eberwein, ed.)	"The Vanity of Existence," "The Hurricane," "On the Uniformity and Perfection of Nature," "On the Universality and Other Attributes of the God of Nature," "On the Religion of Nature"
Thu, 11-30	William Cullen Bryant (in Eberwein, ed.),	"Inscription for the Entrance to a Wood," "To a Waterfowl," "Thanatopsis," "Mutation," "A Forest Hymn," "The Hurricane," "To Cole, the Painter, Departing for Europe," "The Poet"
Tue, 12-05	James Fenimore Cooper	The Pioneers
Thu, 12-07	James Fenimore Cooper	The Pioneers