Lecture 1 General Introduction of This Course

History and Anthology of American Literature

Nancy Wang Feb. 27, 2014

Lecture 1

General Introduction

I. General Introduction about the course II. Requirements and References III. Learning Plan

学 习 内 容

引 言

American Literature? Inclusion & Exclusion, Providence, Individualism, Racism, American Dream American Writers? independent, individualistic, critical, innovative, humorous Read for what? for pleasure, for relaxation, to acquire knowledge, to confront experience, for artistic appreciation

课 程 名 称 与 教 材

I. General Introduction A. Name of the Course History and Anthology of American Literature “美国文学史及选读”

B. Course Book Selected Readings in American Literature 美国文学选读(第三版), 陶洁主 编，高等教育出版社。

学 什 么

C. What to Learn 1. History of American Literature 2. literary genres and their features 3. major writers 4. representative works 5. understand the essence of those famous writings

D. How to Learn

怎 么 学

1. Find another course book of the same kind and read it together with our textbook broaden your horizon; Read before you come to the class preview 2. Think or better discuss after you’ve read a piece of writing develop the habit of critical thinking 3. Take notes notes of everything you have read about A. L.

学 习 文 学 的 一 般 方 法

E. How to study literature: 1. Analytical Approach works of art elements(basic)? understanding formal studies 2. Thematic Approach “What is the story, the poem, the play or the essay about?” meaning conveyed 3. Historical Approach classicism, romanticism, realism, naturalism, modernism, postmodernism, etc. prevailing mode of literary sensibility the relationship between works and these literary genres works and reality

如 何 学 好 美 国 文 学

F. How to learn A. L. well By reading and thinking; To associate what has happened in works with your life; To compare your understanding of certain works with that of others; English version & Chinese version & movies the Library, the Internet; To discuss with your classmates or teacher…

G. Course Aims

1.

课 程 目 标

To have a chronological and systematical survey of American literature; 2. To be acquainted with important writers of different periods and their major works; 3. To master basic elements of literature;

4.

课 程 目 标

To develop critical thinking and improve literary taste; 5. To deepen your understanding about English; 6. To make a comparative study of Chinese literature and English literature; 7. To instruct us to be moral in behavior and objective and humanistic in thinking;

文 学 不 是 孤 立 的 存 在

Literature & History &Philosophy

If literature takes a step backward,

it is history.

If literature takes a step forward,

it is philosophy.

Literature is the reflection of history and philosophy. Literature describes and creates history. Literature represents philosophy.

课 程 要 求 与 学 习 参 考

II. Requirements and References A. Requirements 1. Be attentive in class; 2. Be ready for questions put forward; 3. Be extensive in your reading; 4. Be critical and mature in thinking; Reading is a process of enhancing your thinking and understanding.

考 核 方 式 及 评 分 比 例

B. Grading Policy 1. 课堂表现 20% (出勤、预习 与回答问题、笔记) 2. 5' Presentation (+20%) (12次机会、个人行为、加分项目) 3. Essay Writing 20%

4. Mid-term Exam(开卷)

20%

5. Final Paper 40% topic: 10% logic and argumentation: 20% format: 10%.

C. Reference Books 1. 牛津美国文学词典第6版，外 研社。

学 习 参 考

2. 美国文学简史，常耀信著， 南开大学出版社。

学 习 参 考