ENGL 232American Literature from 1865

3 credits · English · Penn State

Focusing on major writers and their cultural contexts, English 232 surveys American literature from 1865 to the present. A remarkable amount of important literature was produced during this period. Students will read major texts like The Great Gatsby, The Grapes of Wrath, and Beloved; learn about renowned authors such as Ernest Hemingway, Flannery O'Connor, and James Baldwin; and be introduced to influential literary forms, such as the imagist poem, the modernist novel, and New Journalism. The tradition of American literature since 1865 evolved over periods of significant upheaval and change. Students will also learn about the shifting historical and ethical orientations that energized this tradition, from Naturalism to Modernism and Postmodernism. As an introductory survey of American literature, English 232 welcomes non majors: no previous course in literature is required. By reading and discussing some of the most important works in American literature, students will sharpen their skills of interpretation while surveying an important literary tradition.