ENGL 444
American Realism and Naturalism
Catalog Entry
ENGL 444. American Realism and Naturalism
Three hours lecture (3).
Prerequisite: ENGL 111 and ENGL 112
Study of work of selected American realists and naturalists from late 19th and 20th centuries.
Note(s): Humanistic or Artistic Expression designated course.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
This course offers students an in-depth examination of the development of realism and naturalism as literary movements, and the historical and intellectual background which gave rise to these movements. Students will read a wide variety of representative works of literature written between roughly the Civil War and World War I. In order to contextualize this primary material, secondary readings may include biographical, historical, and cultural sources.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
ENGL 444 uses a wide variety of instructional strategies which may include any number of the following: lecture; discussion; web-enhanced instruction; collaborative group work; oral presentations; group-led discussion; informal writing activities such as in-class focused writing assignments, responsive logs, discussion questions; film and other audio-visual resources related to literary works, authors, and relevant contexts; library instruction to reinforce students’ information literacy and knowledge of available resources; peer writing groups for feedback on drafts of essays; individual or group conferences with the instructor for feedback on drafts of essays.
Goals and Objectives of Course
The fundamental goal of this course is to enhance students’ understanding of literary realism and naturalism in their particular American mode. The transformation of American life between the Civil War and World War I, Reconstruction, industrialization, urbanization, immigration, the Progressive Movement, the Suffrage Movement, and Utopianism are important social and economic trends that are represented in these literary works. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
Assessment Measures
ENGL 444 uses a variety of assessment measures, which may include a number of the following:
Other Course Information
Review and Approval
October, 2009
March 01, 2021