American studies
Early American History, Literature and Culture
Module code: T7082
Level 4
30 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar, Workshop
Assessment modes: Essay
A diverse range of historical actors forged the nation that would become the United States.
On this module, you’ll explore key moments and themes in the history of early America – from North America’s Indigenous cultures, colonisation, and the origins of racial slavery through to the Antebellum.
You’ll explore:
- how gender, class, race, religion and nationality shaped novel historical and cultural developments and the emergence of new literary genres
- the latest interdisciplinary research on the history, culture and literature of early America.
You’ll study a diverse range of voices through different sources and texts, developing the knowledge to analyse and place them in their relevant contexts.
Topics include:
- indigeneity
- myths and traditions
- slavery and autobiography
- gender and captivity narratives
- poetry and the Republic.
Module learning outcomes
- Evaluate key developments and diverse perspectives in the history, culture, and literary genres of early America between the 16th to 19th centuries.
- Understand relevant concepts in the interdisciplinary study of early American history, literature, and culture.
- Interpret the relevant social and cultural contexts in which historical sources and literary texts were produced and read.
- Use digital tools and information literacy skills to create and communicate knowledge in academic and professional settings.
- Articulate clear and persuasive written argument based on close textual analysis.
- Practice independence and personal development through fieldwork.