Course Description: Students explore American literature about nature, ethnicity, gender, culture, family, and identity in this web-based course. The selections offer diverse perspectives in history, culture, class, geography, age, gender, and sexual orientation. Literature of various genres (short story, novel, poetry, autobiography, testimony, nonfiction) guides students to a better understanding of people of many cultural backgrounds. Students develop critical as well as creative thinking, writing, and communication strategies and skills as they examine the literary treatment of human relations in a multicultural society.

Creative and analytical writing projects, vocabulary terms, newsgroup contributions, and self-guided activities enhance the learning process. Basic computer skills are recommended.

Course Contents:
Students will learn about:

• Four major themes in American literature, which have rich aesthetic, personal, and socio-cultural dimensions: nature, connections, choices, and changes
• American literary works from the seventeenth century to the present, with primary emphasis on twentieth-century works
• A large variety of genres: short story, novel, poetry, autobiography, testimony, nonfiction, essay, speech, and memoir
• How these four themes are shaped and influenced by race, culture, gender, ethnicity, class, history, geography, age, and sexual orientation
• Close reading and analysis of texts
• Connecting issues raised in these readings to a contemporary social or personal context
• How to write in different formats and genres
• Developing a good discussion in the class newsgroup

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