AMERICAN CULTURE AND LITERATURE
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
ACL3003 American Novel I Fall 3 0 3 5

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Must Course
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Dr. Öğr. Üyesi HATİCE ÖVGÜ TÜZÜN
Course Lecturer(s): Dr. Öğr. Üyesi HATİCE ÖVGÜ TÜZÜN
Recommended Optional Program Components: None
Course Objectives: Introducing the novel as a literary form, the course will trace the development of the novel in America from 1800 to 1900. Readings will include stories and novels by W. Irving, N. Hawthorne, H. Melville, M. Twain, T. Dreiser, J. London, O Henry and K. Chopin, together with the study of the literary movements they represent.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1. The students will do an extensive reading of the 19th Century-American literature, especially that of the American Renaissance.
2. They will develop an insight about the beginnings of American Fiction, especially about how novel writing started.
3. They will develop an insight about the significance of story-telling and narratives.
4. They will learn about the major literary movements of the 19th Century USA, namely romanticism, transcendentalism, realism and naturalism.
5. They will learn about the Puritan influences in the works of the later literary works.
6. They will learn about the basic ideas of the American Adam and the most important concepts in the construction of a new Nation, during their Renaissance.
7. They will develop the ability to analyze and discuss major issues of the American Novel in the 19th Century both orally in class and in their essays in exams.

Course Content

Heath Anthology, ss. between: 3-1178, 1180-1215; “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, The Scarlet Letter, “The Fall of the House of Usher”, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, “To Build a Fire”, “Psyche & Pskyscraper”, Sister Carrie, The Awakening

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction to the beginnings of American Literary history. Puritanism and the age of the Pioneers, first settlers and their dreams and fears. Colonial Period to 1700 Heath Anthology, selected pages between: 3-1178
2) The Beginnings of American Fiction: Romanticism/Transcendentalism Heath Anthology selected pages between: 1180-1215
3) Washington Irving “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
4) Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter
5) Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter
6) Edgar Allan Poe “The Fall of the House of Usher”
7) Review
8) Realism & Local Color Fiction: Mark Twain The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
9) Realism & Local Color Fiction: Mark Twain The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
10) Mark Twain The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
11) Naturalism, Jack London “To Build a Fire”
12) Naturalism, O Henry (William Sydney Porter) “Psyche & Pskyscraper”
13) Naturalism, Theodore Dreiser Sister Carrie
14) Naturalism, Theodore Dreiser Sister Carrie
15) Final Exam
16) Final Exam

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: Okuma Listesi: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, The Scarlet Letter, “The Fall of the House of Usher”, “Bartleby, the Scrivener”, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, “To Build a Fire”, “Psyche & Pskyscraper”, Sister Carrie, The Awakening.

The Heath Anthology of American Literature, Vol. I. Lexington, Massachusetts: D.C. Heath & Co., 1990.
References: the reading list (“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, The Scarlet Letter, “The Fall of the House of Usher”, “Bartleby, the Scrivener”, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, “To Build a Fire”, “Psyche & Pskyscraper”, Sister Carrie, The Awakening

The Heath Anthology of American Literature, Vol. I. Lexington, Massachusetts: D.C. Heath & Co., 1990.

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 33 % 10
Quizzes 4 % 10
Presentation 1 % 10
Midterms 1 % 30
Final 1 % 40
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 40
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 14 3 42
Presentations / Seminar 1 5 5
Quizzes 4 10 40
Midterms 1 30 30
Final 1 30 30
Total Workload 147

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) Upon graduation, students will acquire key skills and attributes to conduct research to use research tools, to solve problems, to communicate effectively and to transfer skills to the workplace. 5
2) Upon graduation, students will have developed the ability to discuss key issues in fluent English. 5
3) Upon graduation, students will have developed the ability to compose written documents in English with a mature prose style. 5
4) Upon graduation, students will have gained broad knowledge of the American and English literary canons. 5
5) Upon graduation, students will have developed the ability to analyze, synthesize and criticize sophisticated works of American and English literature.
6) Upon graduation, students will have achieved in depth the understanding of contemporary American culture. 4
7) Upon graduation, students will have developed the ability to draw links among diverse literary texts and documents and establish critical connections and adopt an interdisciplinary attitude. 5
8) Upon graduation, students will be able to develop new projects individually or in teams. 5
9) Upon graduation, students will be able to apply their knowledge into their lives for interdisciplinary problem-solving and solutions. 5