WGSS 358 - Scribbling Women: Nineteenth-Century American Women Writers

Institution:

Washington University in St Louis

Subject:

Description:

In 1855, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote to his publisher, William Tichnor, that "America is now wholly given over to a damned mob of scribbling women, and I should have no chance of success while the public taste is occupied with their trash." In this class, we examine works of those scribbling women of the 19th century. We read one of the best-selling novels of the century, one that created a scandal and ruined the author's literary reputation, along with others that have garnered more attention in our time than their own. In addition to focusing on these women writers, we also explore questions about the canon of American literature: What makes literature "good"? What constitutes American literature? How does an author get in the canon and stay there? Finally, in this writing-intensive course, there are frequent writing assignments and a strong emphasis on the essential writing process of drafting and revising.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wustl.edu

Phone Number:

(314) 935-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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