ENGL 135: Love & Death in American Literature

This course asks essential question about American literature: What does it mean to be American? How do we tell stories about who we are? Have those stories remained the same or have we changed? How do we define ourselves over time? Students in "Love and Death in American Literature" will encounter the classic and contemporary narratives that define American literature and culture. From Benjamin Franklin to Junot Diaz, students will read across genres, historical periods, and perspectives. Themes might include the mythology of the American Dream, particularly the American emphasis on individualism, and the place of the U.S. in global context. In addition to attending lectures, students will write brief weekly reflections and participate in discussion sections.