AML 3031 — American Literature to 1860
This is a survey course that is designed to introduce students to the evolution of American literature from its colonial beginnings through the Civil War, examining how early American writers have shaped the nation’s literary heritage. Students will engage with texts by writers from various backgrounds and perspectives. Through close reading and critical analysis, students will examine American literary movements including Puritanism, Enlightenment thought, Romanticism, and Transcendentalism. Course materials may include prose, poetry, political writings, and early fiction, with discussions on both thematic concerns and literary techniques.