This course seeks to introduce students to the field of English Literary Studies. The course is organized in two sections. First there is a short section exploring the historical role of English studies in late modernity, and then the rest of the semester will focus on some representative modern American literary texts.

Goals of the Course:

• To introduce students beginning the major at Illinois State Univesrity to the traditions and conventions of literary scholarship in English Studies

• To engage students in some of the critical and theoretical debates currently and recently active in English Studies

• In particular, to provide a broad introduction to the range of analysis and critique in contemporary Literary and Cultural Studies

• To engage students in an exploration of the role of English Studies in a democratic society