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Course
Description
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In this course, we will read works by a number of female
authors who were writing fiction in the nineteenth century and through
the early decades of the twentieth. We will consider the texts in relation
to both important developments in American literary history (the historical
romance, sentimental and domestic fiction, realism, regionalism) and
to their cultural and historical contexts. Some questions we will consider:
How do female authors contribute to definitions of American womanhood?
What impact do factors such as race and class have on individual women
writers' perceptions of their position in society? Are there formal
and/or stylistic patterns in how women writers treat their material
that makes their work distinct from that of their male contemporaries?
What were the challenges faced by women entering the literary marketplace?
How do women perceive themselves as professionals? as artists?
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The class will be primarily discussion, with brief lectures as
necessary. Therefore, you will only be successful if you have the reading
completed on time and come to class prepared to contribute. Writing assignments: You will write two papers this semester, the first one on an assigned topic (5 pp.), the second on a subject of your choice (8-10 pp.). For the second essay, I would like to discuss the topic with you a number of weeks before the due date. After midterm, I'll ask you to type up a one page proposal outlining the working thesis of your paper and what you intend to cover, as well as a list of sources you plan to consult. We will set up a conference schedule at that point. All writing assignments must be turned in on time. You will be docked 1/3 of a grade for every day a paper is late. In addition to these essays, you will also write a 1-2 page reading response paper each week. These will allow you to think through some specific questions before class, help us focus our class discussion, and serve as a useful study tool for the midterm and final exams. Although these papers will not receive a letter grade, they will be taken into account when I determine your final participation grade. Screenings: I hope to schedule a number of film screenings over the course of the term. We will have the chance to look at the history of film adaptations of Alcott's Little Women, and the recent spate of Edith Wharton's texts adapted to film. One of the questions we'll consider:: what do modern filmmakers and viewers need to/want to take from these nineteenth century texts? Honor code: In accordance with the College's Honor Code, please remember that the following pledge should be signed on all in-class examinations, take-home examinations, papers, and other written work: "I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this exam/paper." Evaluation: You final grade will be broken down as listed below;
you must complete every assignment to pass the course. The following web sites may be of interest to you: Society for the Study of American Women Writers African American Writers 19th century Schomburg American Women's Dime Novel Project Women Writer's Project (writing by women authors before 1830) Celebration of Women Writers (extensive collection of digitized women's
writings) Godey's Lady's Book Online American Women's History: A Guide to Resources and Research on the
Web Emergence of Advertising in America 1850-1920 Emory Women Writers Resource Project Wright American Fiction: 1851-1875
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