ENG1304 ¨C American Literature

Course content

This course provides a general introduction to American literature, where the main focus is on the nineteenth and the twentieth century. Primary attention will be given to how literary texts are constructed and how they are connected to larger historical and cultural contexts. Attention will also be paid to the ways in which literary texts relate to various readers, developments in literary history, and the history of ideas.

Learning outcome

After completing this course, you:

• have an introductory overview of American literature, central literary periods, and formal features of key texts;
• can demonstrate skills related to the close reading of texts;
• can situate texts in relation to various historical and cultural contexts;
• can analyze literary texts in a variety of genres;
• can discuss various aspects of literary analysis in an academic setting;
• can develop and support literary-critical arguments;
• can express yourself in appropriate academic English;
• can demonstrate critical thinking, writing, and discussion skills relevant both within and beyond literary studies.

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 12 weeks, and seminars, 2 hours weekly for 2 weeks with academic staff and 2 hours weekly for 4 weeks with learning assistants.??

Obligatory activities:

• Take-home mid-term test.?Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements. Information about guidelines for obligatory activities.

• Passing min. 3 of 4 quizzes in groups with learning assistants

• It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 4 of 6 seminars. The requirement is absolute.?Attendance at 100% of the seminars and lectures is strongly encouraged.

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 accommodations.

Once the course requirements have been fulfilled, they remain valid for the current and the next two semesters that the course is taught.

Examination

The form of assessment is a 4-hour written examination.

Examination support material

Cambridge Dictionary will be?available in the digital examination system Inspera.?

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.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• How to use AI as a student
• 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.