This course focuses on American poetry and drama in the 20th century. We will study the different ways that American writers have used these forms to express the experience of modern life. Lectures and class activities will focus on understanding not only how to analyze poetry and drama but also how to relate them to the society and culture of the times. Course topics include social reform, the ideology of success, the rise of mass culture, the experience of war, and social movements by women and minority groups.

Course objectives include (1) knowledge of American culture and society in the 20th century; (2) competence in the literary analysis of poetry and drama; (3) knowledge of the development of literary genres and their relation to the broader culture of the US.

Lectures in English, weekly readings and tests, discussion