ENGL1201W

How have American writers responded to the Cold War, the social movements of the 1960s, the rise of digital culture, and the cultural and political instability that characterizes the nation today? In this course, you will read a variety of diverse American literature from the late 20th and the 21st century and discuss the works’ cultural, biographical, and historical contexts as well as their content. Have we entered or are we entering a new period of authoritarianism, instability, and change? In addition, does our present moment bear any resemblance to previous American time periods of authoritarianism, instability, and change that artists and writers have evoked? Considering these questions, you will identify and analyze literary elements including style, characterization, plot, and theme—and their capacity to evoke a powerful response from readers. This Writing Intensive class fulfills the Literature Core LE.