ENGL 39 American Fiction: 1950 to 1990

This course examines movements in American literature from 1950-1990 as the United States was solidifying itself as a world power. These movements correspond to historical events that have shaped the world of contemporary fiction (the end of WWII, the civil rights movement, the fight for gender equity and gay rights, etc.), and have permanently marked the literary landscape. We will thus explore the varied nature of racial, ethnic, and gender identity through the writers who have shaped the vision of the nation and its different inhabitants. We will focus on iterations of American ideology (individuality, self-discovery, patriotism, opportunity), their detractors and believers, and the writers who have presented these concepts to us in prose meant to interrogate rather than celebrate. Our interest for the duration of the term is in the (real or imagined) hyphenated American, and the national imperatives that challenge literary production.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:LIT; WCult:W

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Department-Specific Course Categories

English and Creative Writing