English 3270, "The Frontier in American Literature"

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COURSE SCHEDULE (Revised 9/27/99)

Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

August
(Top) 		19 Introduction
     
  24 What Is the Frontier?
  • Frederick Jackson Turner, "The Significance of the Frontier in American History" (On Reserve or Online, Chapter One of The Frontier In American History )
  26 The Beginnings of American Frontier Literature
  • Christopher Columbus, De Insulis nuper in mari Indico repertis (Concerning the Islands Recently Discovered in the Indian Sea) (On Reserve or Online.)
     
  31 Literature of the Spanish Frontier
  • Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, Proem and Chapters 1-12, The Account, pp. 28-57.
September
(Top) 		2 Literature of the Spanish Frontier
  • Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, Chapters 13-32, The Account, pp. 58-107.
     
  7 Literature of the Spanish Frontier
  • Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, Chapters 33-38, The Account, pp. 108-121.
  9 Indian Captivity Narratives—An American Genre Begins
  • Mary Rowlandson, Preface to the Reader and Removes 1-12, A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, in Classic American Autobiographies, pp. 50-69.
     
  14 Indian Captivity Narratives—An American Genre Begins
  • Mary Rowlandson, Removes 14-20, A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, in Classic American Autobiographies, pp. 50-69.
  16 HURRICANE FLOYD
     
  21 HURRICANE FLOYD
  23 HURRICANE FLOYD
     
  28 HURRICANE FLOYD
  30 NO CLASS (Dr. Shields Out of Town)
     
October
( Top ) 		5 The Beginnings of English Frontier Literature
  • Arthur Barlowe, "Arthur Barlowe's Discourse of the First Voyage," (Handout)
  • John White, "The Governor Returns" (Handout)
  7 Literature of the French Frontier
  • Paul le Jeune, Brief Relation of the Journey to New France, Made in the Month of April Last by Father Paul le Jeune, of the Society of Jesus, in The Jesuit Relations: and Allied Documents Travels and Explorations of theJesuit Missionaries in New France 1610—1791, vol. 5, pp. 1-37 (or the full text if it becomes available). (On Reserve or Online.)
  • Jean de Brébeuf, "Instructions for the Fathers of Our Society Who Shall be Sent to the Hurons," in The Jesuit Relations: and Allied Documents Travels and Explorations of the Jesuit Missionaries in New France 1610—1791, vol. 12, pp. 115-123. (On Reserve or Online.)
     
  12 EXAMINATION #1
  14 The Character of the Frontiersman
  • David Crockett, Chapters 1-6, A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett of the State of Tennessee, pp. 1-64.
     
  19 The Character of the Frontiersman
  • David Crockett, Chapters 7-14, A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett of the State of Tennessee, pp. 65-122.
  21 The Character of the Frontiersman
  • Thomas Bangs Thorpe, "The Big Bear of Arkansas, " in The Hive of "The Bee-Hunter," A Repository of Sketches, Including Peculiar American Character, Scenery,and Rural Sports, pp. 72-93. (On Reserve or Online [follow the "HTML file" link] or go directly to the story.)
     
  26 Native American Literature—The Frontier in Reverse
  • Zitkala-Ša, "Impressions of an Indian Childhood," "The Scool Days of an Indian Girl," "An Indian Teacher Among the Pagans," and "Why I Am a Pagan," in Classic American Autobiographies, pp. 414-59.
  28 Native American Literature—The Frontier in Reverse
  • Zitkala-Ša, "Impressions of an Indian Childhood," "The Scool Days of an Indian Girl," "An Indian Teacher Among the Pagans," and "Why I Am a Pagan," in Classic American Autobiographies, pp. 414-62.
     
November
(Top) 		2 Cowboy Tales—Race and Region
  • Nat Love, Chapters 1-12, The Life and Adventures of Nat Love, pp. 7-87.
  4 Cowboy Tales—Race and Region
  • Nat Love, Chapters 13-22, The Life and Adventures of Nat Love, pp. 88-162.
     
  9 EXAMINATION #2
  11 The Frontier Closes, the Western Begins
  • Zane Grey, Chapters 1-12, Riders of the Purple Sage.
     
  16 The Frontier Closes, the Western Begins
  • Zane Grey, Chapters 13-23, Riders of the Purple Sage.
  18 Contemporary Native American Frontier Literature
  • N. Scott Momaday, The Way to Rainy Mountain.
     
  23 Contemporary Native American Frontier Literature
  • N. Scott Momaday, The Way to Rainy Mountain.
  25 NO CLASS (Thanksgiving Break)
     
  30 The Western on Film
  • Fred Zinnemann, dir., High Noon.
December
( Top ) 		2 The Frontier as Satire
  • Mel Brooks, dir., Blazing Saddles.
CLOSE READING DUE
     
  7 The Frontier as Satire
  • Mel Brooks, dir., Blazing Saddles.
  9 Wrap Up
     
  17 FINAL EXAMINATION (Friday, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.)


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