General provisions

The course is included in the Master's Programme in English.

Entry requirements

120 credits. English A1, B1 and C1, or 90 credits in a language subject or in literary studies.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course students will be able to

• demonstrate insight into early American literature;
• show familiarity with the scholarship about early American literature;
• show an understanding of the methods and critical frameworks used in early American studies;
• gather and process critical material;
• show proficiency in the use of critical material in a written literary analysis;
• show a good ability to participate, orally and in writing, in a discussion of literary works in fluent English.

Content

This course explores the literary traditions that came out of the European conquest of North America: the literature of exploration; Puritan writing; captivity narratives; Native American traditions; Enlightenment debates and satire; early republican fiction up until the 1830s. These cultural expressions are mined for what they reveal about issues of violence, conquest, religion, race, and nationhood.

Instruction

Group sessions. Instruction, class discussions, and examinations are in English. All teaching materials are in English.

Assessment

Assessment takes the form of a final exam in the form of an essay at the end of the course. The final essay may be replaced by, or supplemented with, alternative assessment elements, such as shorter essays assigned during the course, journals, or portfolios. Grades are fail, pass, or pass with distinction.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Students who fail a regular examination will be offered a make-up examination within a reasonable period of time after the regular examination.

Students who fail an examination twice have the right to apply to the head of the department for permission to change examiners.

Other directives

If the curriculum or the course literature for a course module is changed, students have the right to be examined on the original curriculum and course literature on three occasions during the following three terms. After these three opportunities, the right normally expires. No other limitations apply regarding the number of examination opportunities.

Transitional provisions

Please contact the student counsellor for transitional regulations in connection with changes in the curriculum.