American Literature, Culture, and Society (ENG121)

Reading and analysis of American literature from different genres and historical periods that address key developments and issues that have shaped American society.

Reading and analysis of selected works of American literature from different genres (novels, short stories, poetry, drama, essays, etc.) and historical periods that address key developments and issues that have shaped American society. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how literary authors and works relate meaningfully to significant aesthetic, historical and socio-cultural contexts.

American Literature, Culture, and Society (ALCS) focuses on interpreting literature from and about the United States of America, written during different historical periods, and understanding its continued artistic and sociocultural significance. By analyzing a range of intellectually serious and formally skillful literary works by important American writers, students will explore how texts convey ideas and debates relevant in contemporary society. General topics and themes may include: critical thinking and ethical awareness; creativity and innovation; ecological and environmental awareness; socio-cultural identities; and democracy and social engagement.

ALCS aims to develop students' critical understanding of American culture and society by situating literary texts, meaningfully, in relevant social, historical, and cultural contexts. In the process, students will develop practical critical, creative, and interpretive skills; learn why the literary arts are a valuable resource for living; and enhance their ability to communicate effectively in English.

Knowledge

After completing the course, the student will have a basic understanding of:

• important American authors and works of literature and how they have contributed to the USA’s diverse literary tradition
• key aesthetic and formal features of a literary work and how help convey different perspectives, beliefs, and thematic issues
• significant relationships between works of American literature and relevant historical, cultural, and social contexts (e.g. literary mediations of important historical events and sociocultural debates)
• the diverse sociocultural situations, traditions, and philosophies that inform American literature

Skills

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

• analyze American literature from different perspectives, historical periods, and literary genres
• interpret texts by conducting close readings and using relevant techniques and approaches from literary and cultural studies
• understand the artistic and sociocultural significance of selected literary texts and authors and reflect upon their contemporary relevance

General competence

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

• use correct, varied, and precise English to participate in informed conversations about ideas and issues in literary and cultural studies
• analyze what specialists and experts have written or said, then summarize their ideas, arguments, and assumptions
• demonstrate critical, analytic, and interpretive skills using formal English

Written assignment - approximately 500-1500 words as set by instructor.

In order to take the exam, students must have passed the assignment.

If the assignment is assessed as not approved on the first attempt, students are given one opportunity to submit a revised assignment.

References and AI

All submitted assignments must be the result of the student’s own independent work. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the rules for source referencing.

Information on source referencing is available on the University Library’s website: https://www.uis.no/en/library/citations

Guidance on the use of AI tools in relation to exams can be found on the University of Stavanger’s exam pages: https://www.uis.no/en/student-pages/use-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-assignment-writing-and-exams