《美国文学》课程教学大纲 The Course Syllabus of American Literature -、课程基本信息(Basic Course Information) 课程代码：16034202 6034202 Course name:American Literature 课程类别：专业课 Periods:64 学分：4 Credits:4 适用对象：英语语言文学专业学生 s:Undergraduates majoring in English 考试 Assessment:Examination 先修课程：英美社会与文化、英国文学 Preparatory courses:British and American Societies and Cultures 二、课程简介(Brief Course Introduction) 本课程为专业知识基础课，在第四学期开设，是培养英语专业本科二年级学生文 学修养、人文素质和社会主义核心价值观的重要课程。结合美国历史发展进程介 绍各时期的重要作家及其代表作，重点阅读自十九世纪初至现当代的小说、诗歌 和戏刷作品，帮助学生熟悉重要文学作品，提高文学鉴赏能力、语言水平和批判 性思维，对西方社会与文化形成客观的认识。 "American literature"is a compulsory course to be offered in the fourth semester to sophomores who major in English.It is a significant part of the program that aims to enhance their literar understanding.humanistic ality,and socialist core values.It introduces the n lite in their respective historical contexts,with the focus on fiction,poetry and drama from the early nineteenth century to the contemporary.Students are encouraged to read, analyze and discuss the literary texts,to participate in poetry recitals and dramatic performances,and to appreclate relted classical movies By these means.the course helps them ma ster the b owledge of literatu ther ith literary texts,and improves their literary underst anding,language proficiency and critical perspective,so that they may acquire an objective comprehension of Western society and culture
1 《美国文学》课程教学大纲 The Course Syllabus of American Literature 一、课程基本信息（Basic Course Information） 课程代码：16034202 Course code: 16034202 课程名称：美国文学 Course name: American Literature 课程类别：专业课 Course type: Specialty course 学时：64 Periods: 64 学分：4 Credits: 4 适用对象：英语语言文学专业学生 Target students: Undergraduates majoring in English 考核方式：考试 Assessment: Examination 先修课程：英美社会与文化、英国文学 Preparatory courses: British and American Societies and Cultures 二、课程简介（Brief Course Introduction） 本课程为专业知识基础课，在第四学期开设，是培养英语专业本科二年级学生文 学修养、人文素质和社会主义核心价值观的重要课程。结合美国历史发展进程介 绍各时期的重要作家及其代表作，重点阅读自十九世纪初至现当代的小说、诗歌 和戏剧作品，帮助学生熟悉重要文学作品，提高文学鉴赏能力、语言水平和批判 性思维，对西方社会与文化形成客观的认识。 “American Literature” is a compulsory course to be offered in the fourth semester to sophomores who major in English. It is a significant part of the program that aims to enhance their literary understanding, humanistic quality, and socialist core values. It introduces them to prominent writers and masterpieces of American literature in their respective historical contexts, with the focus on fiction, poetry and drama from the early nineteenth century to the contemporary. Students are encouraged to read, analyze and discuss the literary texts, to participate in poetry recitals and dramatic performances, and to appreciate related classical movies. By these means, the course helps them master the basic knowledge of literature, familiarizes them with the major literary texts, and improves their literary understanding, language proficiency and critical perspective, so that they may acquire an objective comprehension of Western society and culture
三、课程性质与教学目的 本课程通过对文学作品的阅读、分析、讨论以及诗歌朗诵、戏剧表演等多种形式， 旨在帮助学生掌握文 学基本常识 熟悉重要文学作品及其相关历史语境 ,提高文 学鉴赏能力和语言水平，对美国社会与文化形成较为深入的理解，并帮助学生形 成良好的世界观、人生观，培养中国情怀和国际视野，提高批判性思维能力和思 相消德水平。 四、教学内容及要求 Lecture One Colonial Beginnings (一)目的与要求 了解美洲殖民地时期文学的概况： 2.研究清教主义及其对美国价值观的影响。 3.帮助学生了解西方文化的发展脉络，培养学生全球视野、独立观察和批判性 思维. (■) 教学内容 1主要内容 I.beginning of American literature-the early 1600s 1.Englishmen describing the English exploration and colonization of the New World (America) 2.Tales ofadventure and excitement;facts+fantasy II Captain John Smith (1580-1631) 1.a real adventurer,helped found Jamestown in 1607(the first English colony in America) 2.True Relation of Virginia (1608)and Description of New England (1616). fascinating "advertisements"which try to persuade the reader to Settleln the New World: 3.General History of Virginia,New England and the Summer Isles(1624);the first famous tale from American literature. III.Differences between the Southern:and the New England colonies 1.In the South,enormous farms or plantations used the labor of black slaves to grow tobacco.The rich and powerful plantation owners were slow to develop a literature of their o wn.They ferred hooks i orted from England 2.In New England,the Puritan settlers had come to the New World in order to form a society based on strict Christian beliefs.Therefore they had a far stronger sense of unity and of a "shared purpose".This was one of the reasons why culture and literature developed much faster than in the South.Harvard,the first college in the colonies,was founded near Boston in 1636 in order to train new Puritan ministers The first printing press in Americ was started there in 1638,and America's first newspaper began in Boston in 1704 IV.Puritan culture 1.New England histories (1)the most interesting works of New England Puritan literature
2 三、课程性质与教学目的 本课程通过对文学作品的阅读、分析、讨论以及诗歌朗诵、戏剧表演等多种形式， 旨在帮助学生掌握文学基本常识，熟悉重要文学作品及其相关历史语境，提高文 学鉴赏能力和语言水平，对美国社会与文化形成较为深入的理解，并帮助学生形 成良好的世界观、人生观，培养中国情怀和国际视野，提高批判性思维能力和思 想道德水平。 四、教学内容及要求 Lecture One Colonial Beginnings （一） 目的与要求 1. 了解美洲殖民地时期文学的概况； 2. 研究清教主义及其对美国价值观的影响。 3. 帮助学生了解西方文化的发展脉络，培养学生全球视野、独立观察和批判性 思维. （二） 教学内容 1. 主要内容 I. beginning of American literature — the early 1600s: 1. Englishmen describing the English exploration and colonization of the New World (America) 2. Tales of adventure and excitement; facts + fantasy II. Captain John Smith (1580-1631) l. a real adventurer; helped found Jamestown in 1607 (the first English colony in America) 2. True Relation of Virginia (1608) and Description of New England (1616); fascinating “advertisements” which try to persuade the reader to Settle1n the New World; 3. General History of Virginia, New England and the Summer Isles (1624); the first famous tale from American literature. III. Differences between the Southern: and the New England colonies 1. In the South, enormous farms or plantations used the labor of black slaves to grow tobacco. The rich and powerful plantation owners were slow to develop a literature of their own. They preferred books imported from England 2. In New England, the Puritan settlers had come to the New World in order to form a society based on strict Christian beliefs. Therefore they had a far stronger sense of unity and of a “shared purpose”. This was one of the reasons why culture and literature developed much faster than in the South. Harvard, the first college in the colonies, was founded near Boston in 1636 in order to train new Puritan ministers. The first printing press in America was started there in 1638, and America's first newspaper began in Boston in 1704. IV. Puritan culture 1. New England histories (1) the most interesting works of New England Puritan literature
(2)To the Puritans,history developed according toGod'splan" -New England:thePromised Land"of the Bible -the central drama of history:the struggle between Christ and Satan 2.Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford (1590-1657) (1)the most interesting of the Puritan histories. (2)subject matters the Puritans'difficult relations with the Indians;their difficulties 1 ring the first winter,when half of the sm died.(Thanksgiving Day) (3)writing style;the wonderful present the "clear light of truth to uneducated readers,Puritan writers avoided elegant language.The examples they used were drawn either from the Bible or from the everyday life of farmers and fishermen. (4)The e:God directsev ng that ha The History of N Winthrop(1588-1649) (1)Also in the "plain style,but far less cheerful (2)Winthrop-the first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony and a minister all his life (like most of the Puritan writers) (3)Writing style:rather cold m He rarely shows shock or sadness,even when he describes scenes of great unhappiness.Sometimes,the dryness of hisplain very effective (4)Theme:Most events could be seen as a sign from God 4.The first Puritans were not very democratic. (1)harsh church laws: (2)Believers in other forms of Christianity were called "snakes"or even worse names (3)Puritan society was a"theocracy-the laws of society and the laws of religion were the same. 5.Writers struggling hard against the Puritan theocracy (1)Anne Hutchir n(1590-1643)and Roger Williams(1603-1683)both desired a environment (2)Roger Williams'Bloudy Tenent (1644):a famous statement of the desire for religious freedom-Freedom was not only good in itself",it was a necessary condition for"the growth and development of the soul". 6.newer Puritan ideas by the beginning of the 1700s-important to the development of 7.The New Englanders were quite successful at keeping the absolute"purity"of Puritanism during the early,difficult days of settlement.But when the Indians were no longer a danger,the dark forests had become farmland,and more comfortable settlements had grown up,Puritan strictness began to relax.The change was very slow and was no asily ized by New Englanders at the time .The great witche raft panic in the 1690s (1)In the town of Salem,Massachusetts,young girls and lonely old women were arrested and put on trial as witches.A number of these people were put to death for “selling their souls'”to the Devil. (2)The"Salem witch trials"showed the psychological environment of the time and
3 (2) To the Puritans, history developed according to “God's plan”: -New England: the “Promised Land” of the Bible -the central drama of history: the struggle between Christ and Satan 2. Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford (1590-1657) (I) the most interesting of the Puritan histories, (2) subject matters the Puritans' difficult relations with the Indians; their difficulties during the first winter, when half of the small colony died. (Thanksgiving Day) (3') writing style; the wonderful “plain style” which the Puritans admired -In order to present the “clear light of truth” to uneducated readers, Puritan writers avoided elegant language. The examples they used were drawn either from the Bible or from the everyday life of farmers and fishermen. (4) Theme: God directs everything that happens. 3. The History of New England by John Winthrop (1588-1649) (1) Also in the “plain style”, but far less cheerful (2) Winthrop-the first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony and a minister all his life (like most of the Puritan writers) (3) Writing style: rather cold m He rarely shows shock or sadness , even when he describes scenes of great unhappiness. Sometimes, the dryness of his “plain style” is very effective. (4) Theme; Most events could be seen as a sign from God. 4. The first Puritans were not very democratic. (l) harsh church laws; (2) Believers in other forms of Christianity were called “snakes” or even worse names; (3) Puritan society was a “theocracy”-the laws of society and the laws of religion were the same. 5. Writers struggling hard against the Puritan theocracy (1) Anne Hutchinson (1590-1643) and Roger Williams (1603-1683) both desired a freer religious environment. (2) Roger Williams' Bloudy Tenent (1644): a famous statement of the desire for religious freedom-Freedom was not only good in itself”, it was a necessary condition for “the growth and development of the soul”. 6. newer Puritan ideas by the beginning of the 1700s- important to the development of democracy 7. The New Englanders were quite successful at keeping the absolute “purity” of Puritanism during the early, difficult days of settlement. But when the Indians were no longer a danger, the dark forests had become farmland, and more comfortable settlements had grown up, Puritan strictness began to relax. The change was very slow and was not easily recognized by New Englanders at the time. 8. The great witchcraft panic in the 1690s (1) In the town of Salem, Massachusetts, young girls and lonely old women were arrested and put on trial as witches. A number of these people were put to death for “selling their souls” to the Devil. (2) The “Salem witch trials” showed the psychological environment of the time and
the Puritans,strange beliefs:to many Puritans of the time,witchcraft and other forms (1)Anne Bradstreet(1612-1672) -the first real New England poet -Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up In America(1650):containing the first New World s published in E nd x1645-1729 -his poetry written during the last years of the Puritan theocracy;some of the finest poetry written in Colonial America -Taylor hoped for a“rebirth”of the“Puritan Way” 10.Sudden explosions of religious emotion throughout American history,even in the mird scinee the sdy of od'mterial srton (1)Edwards developed this idea further-He said that there was a close relation between knowledge of the physical world and knowledge of the spiritual world. (2)This idea created a bridge between the old:strict puritan society and the new free later,with its scientific study of the world New England histories;Puritanism 3.问题与应用 What are the main ideas of Puritan thought in colonial America? (三)思考与实践 help shape the American Value today? 教学方法与手 1.教学方法：课堂讲授与讨论相结合 2.教学手段：多媒体课件 Lecture Two The Birth of a Nation (一)目的与要求 1.讲解早期英国民族迁徒和族裔构成对美国文学的影响，培 养学生的全局思维和观察能力 2.了解美 开国之 之”的思想和理念： 3.研究富 克林、佩恩的代表作： 4.解读《独立宜言》（节选）。 5.引导学生客观认识美国社会、政治制度的形成和发展 西方议会民主制度形成批判性理解： (二)教学内容 1.主要内容 I.the Founding Fathers 1.the most memorable writing in 18th century America 2.the Revolution of 1775-1783(the War for Independence) 3.the Constitution of 1789 4.Practical philosophers:their political pamphlets
4 the Puritans, strange beliefs: to many Puritans of the time, witchcraft and other forms of evil were an absolutely real part of everyday life. 9. Religious themes of the poems of the earliest Puritans (1) Anne Bradstreet (1612-l672) -the first real New England poet -Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up In America (1650) : containing the first New World poems published in England. (2) Edward Taylor (1645-1729) - his poetry written during the last years of the Puritan theocracy; some of the finest poetry written in Colonial America -Taylor hoped for a “rebirth” of the “Puritan Way”. 10. Sudden explosions of religious emotion throughout American history, even in the 20th century 11. The Puritans admired science as the study of God's material creation”. (1) Edwards developed this idea further-He said that there was a close relation between knowledge of the physical world and knowledge of the spiritual world. (2) This idea created a bridge between the old: strict Puritan society and the new, freer culture which came later, with its scientific study of the world. 2. 基本概念和知识点 New England histories; Puritanism 3. 问题与应用 What are the main ideas of Puritan thought in colonial America? （三）思考与实践 How does Puritanism help shape the American Value today? （四）教学方法与手段 1. 教学方法：课堂讲授与讨论相结合 2. 教学手段：多媒体课件 Lecture Two The Birth of a Nation （一） 目的与要求 1.讲解早期英国民族迁徙和族裔构成对美国文学的影响，培 养学生的全局思维和观察能力； 2. 了解美国“开国之父”的思想和理念； 3. 研究富兰克林、佩恩的代表作； 4. 解读《独立宣言》（节选）。 5. 引导学生客观认识美国社会、政治制度的形成和发展， 对西方议会民主制度形成批判性理解； （二） 教学内容 1.主要内容 I. the Founding Fathers 1. the most memorable writing in 18th century America 2. the Revolution of 1775-1783 (the War for Independence) 3. the Constitution of 1789 4. Practical philosophers: their political pamphlets
pean“Age of Reason'”or“Enlightenment understand both nature and man:unlike the Puritans-who saw man as a sinful failure the Enlightenment thinkers were sure that man could improve himself (3)Wanted to create a happy society based on justice and freedom II.Benjamin Franklin (1706W1790) 1.his writings:show the Enlightenment spirit in America at its best and most optimistic 2.His style:quite modern;a return to the Puritans'"plain style' 3.Poor Richard's Almanac (1732-1757): -moral advice(praising honesty and attacking drunkenness.etc aying ng money and working hard 4.The Way to Weath(17)a collection ofthe bes 5.An energetic man with wide interests 6.invented one type of short prose which greatly influenced the development of a story-telling form in America called the"hoax",or the "tall tale"(later made famous by Mark Twain) 7.Franklin's only real book:Autobiography -the first part:an entertaining description of his life up toearly manhood -the second part:more serious-writing about himself"for the improvement of other" -As the autobiography of"the father of the Yankees",it is a book of great value. III.Thomas Paine(1737-1809) 1.the greatest pamphlet-writer of the Am erican Revolutio 2.Common Sense(1776):the most historically important pamphlet in American histor 3.The American Crisis:a series of thirteen pamphlets 4.The Rights of Man(1791-1792):a famous defense of the French Revolution(1789) IV.Thomas Jefferson(1743-1826) 1.the on y one as imp nt a writer for the American cause as Paine 2.the chief author of the Declaration of Independence 3.Declaration ofIndependence: (1)Thanks to Jefferson's beautiful style,the most important document in the political history of the United States is also a fine work of literature ten du time in the war,the Declaration is surprisingly free from emotional appeals (3)It is a clear and logical statement of why America wanted its independence. (4)The Declaration was revised 86 times before it was finally signed on July 14. 1776 4.Notes on the State of Virginia(17847-1785) (1)one of the best descriptions ofearly America (2)attacking the slavery system 5.deeply influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment (1)Man does not have to depend on God to improve the world,and should use his own wisdom to do the improving by himself
5 (1) Admired and were active in the European “Age of Reason” or “Enlightenment”; (2) Shared the Enlightenment belief that human intelligence (or “reason”) could understand both nature and man: unlike the Puritans-who saw man as a sinful failure the Enlightenment thinkers were sure that man could improve himself. (3) Wanted to create a happy society based on justice and freedom II. Benjamin Franklin (1706W1790) 1. his writings: show the Enlightenment spirit in America at its best and most optimistic 2. His style: quite modern; a return to the Puritans' “plain style” 3. Poor Richard's Almanac (1732-1757) : -moral advice (praising honesty and attacking drunkenness, etc.) -many “sayings” about saving money and working hard 4. The Way to Wealth (1757): a collection of the best of his sayings” 5. An energetic man with wide interests 6. invented one type of short prose which greatly influenced the development of a story-telling form in America called the “hoax”, or the “tall tale” (later made famous by Mark Twain) 7. Franklin's only real book: Autobiography -the first part: an entertaining description of his life up to early manhood -the second part: more serious-writing about himself “for the improvement of other” - As the autobiography of “the father of the Yankees”, it is a book of great value. III. Thomas Paine (1737-1809) 1. the greatest pamphlet-writer of the American Revolution 2. Common Sense (1776): the most historically important pamphlet in American history 3. The American Crisis: a series of thirteen pamphlets 4. The Rights of Man (1791-1792): a famous defense of the French Revolution (1789) IV. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) 1. the only one as important a writer for the American cause as Paine' 2. the chief author of the Declaration of Independence 3. Declaration of Independence: (1) Thanks to Jefferson's beautiful style, the most important document in the political history of the United States is also a fine work of literature. (2) Although it was written during a difficult time in the war, the Declaration is surprisingly free from emotional appeals. (3) It is a clear and logical statement» of why America wanted its independence. (4) The Declaration was revised 86 times before it was finally signed on July 14, 1776. 4. Notes on the State of Virginia (17847-1785) (1) one of the best descriptions of early America; (2) attacking the slavery system 5. deeply influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment (1) Man does not have to depend on God to improve the world, and should use his own wisdom to do the improving by himself