ENGL 346.001

The American Dream

Course Description and Objectives:

The American Dream has been a dominant myth in our culture and a recurring theme in the literature which has helped shape that culture. In this course, we will explore in particular the version of that myth which celebrates the promise, or mocks the illusion, of success. That idea of success, as we shall see, is closely tied to other influential ideas in American culture, such as progress and opportunity, materialism and happiness, individualism and community, self-reliance and self-transformation. To gain a deeper appreciation of the American Dream as an idea that is both redemptive and duplicitous, we will examine a number of important literary works that illuminate the dream.

Texts:

Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography and Other Writings

Ralph Waldo Emerson, ñSelf-Relianceî and Other Essays

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman

John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men

Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God

Bharati Mukherjee, Jasmine

Requirements:

Regular class attendance and participation in discussions

Two exams: Take-home exam

In-class exam

Essay of 3-4 typewritten pages. Possible topics to be discussed in class.

Grading:

In determining your grade for the course, the various aspects of your performance will be weighed as follows:

Take-home Exam: 1/3

In-class Exam: 1/3

Essay: 1/3

Note: Excessive absences (more than two) will adversely affect your grade, as will repeated evidence of lack of preparation.

Class Schedule

WEEK 1 Introduction to course; American Dreams

WEEK 2 Franklin, The Autobiography and Other Writings (selections)

WEEK 3 Franklin (continued); Emerson, "Self-Reliance"

WEEKS 4-6 Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

[take-home exam handed out in Week #6]

WEEKS 7-8 Death of a Salesman

[take-home exam due in Week #7]

WEEKS 9-10 Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men

WEEKS 11-12 Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God

WEEKS 13-15 Mukherjee, Jasmine

WEEK 16 In-class exam / Essay due




			ENGL 346.001 The American Dream Course Description and Objectives: The American Dream has been a dominant myth in our culture and a recurring theme in the literature which has helped shape that culture. In this course, we will explore in particular the version of that myth which celebrates the promise, or mocks the illusion, of success. That idea of success, as we shall see, is closely tied to other influential ideas in American culture, such as progress and opportunity, materialism and happiness, individualism and community, self-reliance and self-transformation. To gain a deeper appreciation of the American Dream as an idea that is both redemptive and duplicitous, we will examine a number of important literary works that illuminate the dream. Texts: Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography and Other Writings Ralph Waldo Emerson, ñSelf-Relianceî and Other Essays F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God Bharati Mukherjee, Jasmine Requirements: Regular class attendance and participation in discussions Two exams: Take-home exam In-class exam Essay of 3-4 typewritten pages. Possible topics to be discussed in class. Grading: In determining your grade for the course, the various aspects of your performance will be weighed as follows: Take-home Exam: 1/3 In-class Exam: 1/3 Essay: 1/3 Note: Excessive absences (more than two) will adversely affect your grade, as will repeated evidence of lack of preparation. Class Schedule WEEK 1 Introduction to course; American Dreams WEEK 2 Franklin, The Autobiography and Other Writings (selections) WEEK 3 Franklin (continued); Emerson, "Self-Reliance" WEEKS 4-6 Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby [take-home exam handed out in Week #6] WEEKS 7-8 Death of a Salesman [take-home exam due in Week #7] WEEKS 9-10 Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men WEEKS 11-12 Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God WEEKS 13-15 Mukherjee, Jasmine WEEK 16 In-class exam / Essay due home \| bs, corporate communication \| ba, english \| ma, publications design \| mfa, integrated design \| mfa, creative writing & publishing arts \| people \| portfolio \| facilities \| classes \| undergraduate applications \| graduate applications \| contact \| site index \| university of baltimore