English: Invention of American Nature (B)

About ENGL 2380 B

Interdisciplinary topics examining issues in nineteenth-century American culture. Representative topics include: Dissent in America, American Literary Cultures. May repeat for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisites: Three hours in English numbered 1010 to 1990; minimum Sophomore standing.

Notes

PACE students by permission and override Prerequisites: Three hours in English numbered 1010 to 1990; minimum Sophomore standing.

Section Description

The early nineteenth century was a time of deep cultural and economic transformations in the United States. How did new literary, scientific, and social ideas, advanced by writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, and Orestes Bronson, come together to produce the outlines of Nature as we now understand it? The central focus of this class is American Transcendentalism. In the second half of the semester, we will explore how Transcendentalism's theories of Nature influenced later thinkers, such as John Muir and Aldo Leopold.

Section Expectation

Classes are organized around a lecture which includes a discussion element. Students are expected to attend lecture and participate in discussions.

Evaluation

Two midterm exams and one final exam (bluebooks). Students will submit three short reading responses / analyses over the course of the semester.

Important Dates

Resources

• Parking
• PACE Course Pricing
• Textbooks

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