This course will explore the American novel from its origins to the late nineteenth century. What topics did authors like Hawthorne, James, Wilson, Twain, Chopin, Alcott, Stowe and others write about that deserve to be called "weak and washy literature" that leads to "the great vices of our age"? Class time will vary between lecture, class discussion, and student-led discussion.

Students will give one presentation, as well as write several short papers, five informal article summaries, a conference paper (with abstract and cover letter), an annotated bibliography, and a publishable article.

Required (fiction):

 Chopin, The Awakening (Norton edition)

 Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition

 Child, Hobomok

 Crane, Maggie a Girl of the Streets (Norton edition)

 Hawthorne, The House of the Seven Gables (Norton edition)

 James, The Turn of the Screw (Norton edition)

 Stowe, Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Norton edition)

 Twain, Pudd’nhead Wilson (Norton edition)

 Wilson, Our Nig

Recommended (fiction):

 Brown, Wieland

 Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter

 Melville, Benito Cereno & Moby Dick

 Norris, McTeague

 Jewett, Country of the Pointed Firs

 Stoddard, The Morgensons

 Twain, Adventures of Huck. Finn