EN 370 - 19th Century American Women
Writers
Block 6, 2000
Garcia
COURSE DESCRIPTION: We'll study prose works--ranging from previously neglected texts
such as Hope Leslie to familiar texts such as The Yellow Wallpaper--by American women of the
nineteenth century. We'll look at some fundamental issues that creative women of faced during
this time: the social construction of womanhood, the urgent moral and political issues of the day,
the emergence of an American literary culture, and how each writer situated herself in relation to
the power of the written word.
TEXTS
- Chopin, The Awakening (1899)
- Davis, Life in the Iron Mills (1860)
- Fetterly, Provisions (ANTHOLOGY)
- Gilman, The Yellow Wallpaper (1890)
- Rowson, Charlotte Temple (1799)
- Sedgwick, Hope Leslie (1827)
- Wilson, Our Nig (1859)
- PHOTOCOPY PACKET
EXPECTATIONS: This is a level 300 course. As stated in the catalogue, it is geared toward
juniors and seniors, both majors and non-majors. To take this course, students must have taken
either Critical Practices or Introduction to Poetry. The course is discussion oriented and class
participation is a component of your final grade. The reading load is heavy and there is a lot of
work done in small groups outside of class. Expect to spend an average of 4-5 hours on class
preparation.
PAPERS: There are two papers: one short (about 6-8 pages), one a little longer (about 10-12
pages). The longer paper may incorporate material from your oral report. You must have at least
four bibliographical sources for your second paper, and one of these must be from the Internet.
The second paper is due four days after you present your oral report. I do not accept late papers.
EXAM: There is a written examination on the last day of the block.
GRADES: Your final grade is the result of the following components: class participation (10%),
oral report (30%) , two papers (20% and 30 %), and the final exam (10%).
HONOR CODE: I expect all students to adhere to the Honor Code of The Colorado College.
READING LIST AND PAPER DUE DATES
WEEK I
- Monday: Introduction and introductions. Historical context of the 19th century.
- Tuesday: Rowson, Charlotte Temple. Welter, "The Cult of True Womanhood" and Tompkins,
"Susanna Rowson, Father if the American Novel"(packet);. Godey's Lady's Book assignment
on the Internet (see address below).
- Wednesday: OFF TO READ.
- Thursday: In Fetterly, PROVISIONS: Sedgwick, "Cacoethes Scribendi" 41-69; Sigourney,
"The Father" 105-116; Woolson, "Miss Grief" and "At the Chateau of Corrine" and James,
"The Lesson of the Master" (packet).
- Friday: In Fetterly, PROVISIONS: Phelps, "The Angel Over The Right Shoulder" 203-215;
Fern, "Leaves from Fanny's Portfolio" 250-260 and Warren, "The Work of Fanny Fern"
(packet).
WEEK II
- Monday: Sedgwick, Hope Leslie, up to page 98 and Singley, "Sedgwick's Hope Leslie:
Radical Frontier Romance" (packet) . SHORT PAPERS DUE 6 P.M.
- Tuesday: Hope Leslie, 99-177..
- Wednesday: OFF TO READ.
- Thursday: Hope Leslie, Volume Two.
- Friday: In Fetterly, Stewart, "Why Sit Ye Here and Die," 65-69; Jacobs, in PROVISIONS,
from Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, 279-305.
WEEK III
- Monday: Wilson, Our Nig and Appendix.
- Tuesday: Davis, Life in the Iron Mills and look at illustrations between pages 188 and 202..
- Wednesday: OFF TO READ.
- Thursday: In Davis, "Art and Artists" 293-408. Formulate discussion questions for Life.
- Friday: Gilman, The Yellow Wallpaper and Chapter 2 of historical material, "Invalid Women,"
130-188.
WEEK IV
- Monday: Chopin, The Awakening
- Tuesday: Off to work on papers, which are due at 6 P.M."
- Wednesday: Examination will start at 9:00..
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Questions or Comments