AML4111 – Spring 2027 – Mariano

This is a period course that studies the origins and evolution of the American novel in its 19th century iterations, including the seduction novel, the gothic, the philosophical romance, the plantation romance, and early historical realism and naturalism. The course is designed to privilege reading the novels themselves and to allow topics of discussion to emerge from that shared experience. At the same time, we will trace prominent formal elements and thematic concerns, situated in rich historical context and guided by theory and criticism.
This course meets the "Understanding Genre" requirement for majors.