EN 329 - Muckrakers and Moneymakers: American Lit

Institution:

Hilbert College

Subject:

Description:

This course will focus on American Realism and Naturalism in literature and art, as well as examine the interaction between artistic production and social/ cultural influences. The late nineteenth and early twentieth century was a time of great upheaval in America: the effects of the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, increasing immigration, and continued westward expansion forced Americans to reconsider what exactly was meant by "America." Whereas earlier Americans were influenced by the optimism and prosperity of Revolutionary War America, the Civil War and its aftermath forced Americans to reconsider their position in the world and question the amount of control an individual had over his/her destiny. This reconsideration was reflected in the art and literature of the time, which was characterized by a rejection of romanticism, an interest in scientific method, and increasing attention paid to race, class, and gender in works by authors such as Mark Twain, Edith Wharton, Upton Sinclair, and Theodore Dreiser, among others. In addition, the photography of Matthew Brady and painting of Thomas Eakins and the Ashcan School were also representative of the shift from romanticism to realism. The course will also discuss the differences between realism and naturalism, which, while related, offer differing views of the individual and society and make use of different literary techniques.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.hilbert.edu

Phone Number:

(716) 649-7900

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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