This survey course introduced students to American fiction, poetry, drama, and criticism covering a time period between the end of the Civil War and the start of the 21st Century. It covered a wide range of texts, drawing on the works of authors from various backgrounds, races, genders, literary movements and American geographical locations. The class also examined common themes found in many of these works such as: social norms, oppressive expectations, escape, creativity, individualism and new frontiers.

Textbook: Longman Anthology of American Literature, Volume II, 10/E Ed. George McMichael.
Novels include The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Awakening, Turn of the Screw;
Poems by Emily Dickinson, T. S. Eliot, Mary E Wilkins Freeman, Sarah Orne Jewett, Carl Sandburg, Robert Frost, Marianne Moore, EE Cummings, William Carlos Williams, Sylvia Plath, Alan Ginsberg, Rita Dove.
Short stories include “The Yellow Wall-Paper,” “The Gift of the Magi,” “Winter Dreams,” “The Chrysanthemums,” “Good Country People,” “I Stand Here Ironing,” and “Harrison Bergeron.”
Dramas include The Zoo Story, Fences.

Course: AML 2070 Survey of American Literature
From UF Course Catalog: Credits: 3; Prereq: ENC 1101 or test score equivalent.Introduction to some of the major writers, issues and forms found in the history of American literature. The breadth and focus of this survey will be determined by the instructor. (C or H) (WR)
Course Title: American Myth: Stories We Tell (American) Children.
Semesters Taught: Fall 2010
Section Size: 19

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Portfolio Documents:

AML 2070: Survey of American Literature Syllabus
American Literature: 1865-Present

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Assignment Sheet and Grade Rubric for Summary/Analysis
500 words – Students must choose one academic essay read in class, summarize its main arguments and analyze its purpose, rhetorical strategies and effectiveness.

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Assignment Sheet and Grade Rubric for Final Paper
1800 words – Students must respond to one of four prompts, based on course themes, with an original argument, incorporating 5 sources.