• Austenfeld Thomas

The proseminar is designed to guide students to their independent, self-paced, systematic acquisition of key texts in the American literary tradition. In this class, students will learn to chart their own path through canonical and non-canonical texts in order to foster their independent study habits and research ambitions.

We will meet weekly. Students attending this proseminar may, if they choose, think of it as a convenient preparation for the oral exam option in lieu of writing a BA thesis (see BA-LET study plan).

The American literature reading list for the oral exam option will guide us in the first four weeks of class.  The entire reading list is posted here -- we will choose from among its options: here: http://homeweb.unifr.ch/austenfe/pub/Students/BA%20Exam%20Reading%20List%20American%20Literature%20Austenfeld%202016.pdfb ).   

In the second half of the semester, each student will explore a handful of major works found in the Norton Anthology (or elsewhere) and will chart a path for his or her future, independent reading while teaching these works to the class in concert with other student.

The syllabus will therefore be provisional until after the third week. It will be completed once students have chosen their readings for the second half of the semester. 

The proseminar is offered in both Fall of 2020 and Spring of 2021: the Fall iteration will mostly limit itself to literature from the Early American Period through about 1900; the Spring semester will concern itself with the time from 1900 to the present day.

Students may take either or both of the proseminars offered this academic year.

Text: Norton Anthology of American Literature, ninth edition, Volumes A and B (possibly C).

For the spring 2021 class, volumes C, D, and E will be required.