A survey of American literature from the colonial and federalist periods and the New England renaissance of the mid-19th century in its historical and social settings. Emphasizes close textual analysis along with broad literary and cultural themes. Literary forms include diaries, letters, sermons, poetry, fiction, travel narratives, and historical chronicles. Authors such as Bradstreet, Taylor, Edwards, Franklin, Paine, Jefferson, Wheatley, Freneau, Irving, Bryant, Hawthorne, Melville, Poe, Emerson, Thoreau, and Emily Dickinson. Note: Required for all English majors. Should be taken before most upper-level courses.