Bull

WEEK-BY-WEEK ITINERARY

This is a tentative week-by-week itinerary for the ONLINE American Literature I course. I have divided the Readings into two parts: "Assigned Readings" is the specific reading list for that particular week; "Helpful Hints" is designed to get you to think about specific ideas or themes that you should attempt to find within the text(s). (Remember, you must submit a 2-3 page discussion each week in response to the Assigned Readings).

READINGS ONE

ASSIGNED READINGS: The text's biographies of the following people: John Smith (42), William Bradford (75), John Winthrop (94), Edward Taylor (152), and Cotton Mather(161).

HELPFUL HINTS: This week, your assignment is to read the biographies of selected authors and discuss what you learn about them in these biographies. If you wish, you may browse their selections for further insight into their works. Discuss the contributions of these men, their works and accomplishments, and their relative significance in American Literature.

(Although I will not specifically assign author biographies in the future, I do expect you to look at them for all of the future assignments. Learning to scan biographies for valuable information can assist you in future readings and written discussions.)

READINGS TWO

ASSIGNED READINGS: All of Anne Bradstreet's works (114-135).

HELPFUL HINTS: Analyze her poetry in relation to the time period. What can we tell about a woman's "place"? What type of poetry is this? How is it different, perhaps, from modern poets today?

READINGS THREE

ASSIGNED READINGS: Jonathan Edwards, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" (207).

HELPFUL HINTS: Again, focus on time period here: What does this sermon reveal about religion in that time period? How have things changed? How have they not? What kinds of imagery does he use? Is it effective?

READINGS FOUR

ASSIGNED READINGS: Benjamin Franklin, "" (227).

HELPFUL HINTS: This selection created (and still creates) much controversy. Why