The American Dream. What is it? What forms does it take? Has it changed? And how has it been represented in American Literature?
This course will examine late twentieth century and early twenty-first century literature that specifically interrogates the foundational myth of the American Dream – texts that explore what it promises, and how it may be seen to fall short. The course will move through the twentieth century decade by decade, examining a broad range of important American fiction to interpret what writers from very different vantage points (historically, racially, geographically, culturally, economically) have had to say about the American Dream, an idea that sustains its potent cultural resonance even as it seems to be challenged at every turn.
In addition to the prose, poetry and plays that will be examined on the course, students will also investigate the concept of the American Dream as it is represented, in the film Forrest Gump, the musical Hamilton, and the television series Mad Men. We will use these works as a means to consider how these, mostly, twentieth century texts can help inform us about what is happening in the world today.
Probable texts we will consider include:
Angelou, Maya. Complete Poetry. Random House, New York. 2015.
Cheever, John. The Stories of John Cheever. Ballantine Books, 1980.
Dylan, Bob. Lyrics 1962-2001. Simon and Schuster. New York. 2004.
Fitzgerald, Scott. The Great Gatsby. Penguin, England. 1926.
King, Martin Luther. Letter from Birmingham Jail. 1963.
Miller Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Penguin, New York. 1949.
Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Penguin, England. 1951.
Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. Covici, Friede, New York. 1937.
Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club. Vintage, New York. 1990.
Zemeckis, Robert. [Dir.] Forrest Gump. 1994.
Miranda, Lin Manuel. Hamilton. 2018.
Weiner, Matthew. [Show-runner] Mad Men. Lionsgate Television. 2007-2015.
The HKU bookstore will carry the texts, or you may read them online. An American Dreaming bibliography and critical articles relevant to each text will be posted to the ENGL 2149 Moodle website.
To provide students with a deep understanding of important periods in American literature; to broaden their understanding of American late twentieth century and early twenty-first century cultural conflicts; to expand their knowledge of this key concept of American ideology, and to improve the students’ reading, writing, analytical and research skills.
We will meet for three hours every Monday afternoon (2:30pm - 5:20pm), with a short break in the middle. On-time attendance is expected at every meeting. I will take attendance at the beginning of class. Late arrival will be noted. More than 2 lates and more than 2 absences will affect your classwork grade. Our meetings will include lecture, open class discussion, small group discussion, oral presentations by individual students, and video showings. My prefered teaching method is the in-depth analysis of specific texts.
Assessment is by 100% coursework, consisting of:
Reading Responses (Initial essays/presentations): 40%
Class Attendance & Participation (including attendance, contribution to all discussions, and evidence of preparation and intellectual curiosity) 20%
Final Essay: 40%
I reserve the right to amend these percentages.
Students are expected to arrive on time. I will start promptly at 2:30pm. If you are late, please see me during the break so that I can record you as late instead of as absent. Remove all devices from view during class. Show you need to use them, kindly leave the classroom. You are welcome to take notes on your computer but do not use it for other purposes – it’s distracting for everyone. Thoughtful and active participation during the lecture is expected during class discussions and small group workshops.
I will post all relevant information and supplementary readings for the course on Moodle. Please check it regularly.
Email will also be utilized for student teacher communication.
Plagiarism is “the unacknowledged use, as one’s own, of the work of another person, whether or not such work has been published.” (Regulations Governing Conduct at Examinations). You cannot use another scholar’s words or ideas or examples without giving them attribution. If you are caught plagiarizing, you will receive an F for that assignment and may well receive an F for the class. You are also liable to disciplinary action by the Faculty of Arts. It is a serious offense and will be treated seriously.
Due to the ongoing complications of the ‘work’ behind essay construction, I will spend time addressing specifically how I want essays to be presented.
For more information, please see:
http://www.gradsch.hku.hk/gradsch/web/resourses/plagiarism.pdf
I hope you enjoy the course.
Dr. Andrew Barker