American Literature before 1865

The main purpose of this course is to introduce works before 1865 in American literature. Authors include Columbus, Smith, Bradford, Winthrop, Taylor, Franklin, St. J. De Crevecoeur, Irving, Emerson, Hawthorne, Thoreau, Dickinson, and others. How did they become Americans? The course will examine these writers within their culture and literature through the recorded documents, poems, novels to learn about their life and culture as well.