A survey of American literature from the late 19th century to the present in its historical and social settings. Emphasizes close textual analysis along with broad literary and cultural themes. Broad literary movements, such as Realism, Naturalism, Modernism, and Postmodernism; historical and cultural contexts, e.g., the Harlem Renaissance, the Great Depression, the Vietnam War; issues of gender construction, racial and ethnic consciousness, the growth of cities, and technology. Authors may include: Chopin, Wharton, James, Twain, Norris; Du Bois, Dunbar, Hughes, Hurston; Frost, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Pound, Eliot, Millay, Loy; Ginsberg, Baraka, Sanchez; Roth, Mukherjee, Alexie. Note: Required for all English majors. Should be taken before most upper-level courses.