The American Renaissance: Classic Literature of the 19th Century from edX

What is the American Renaissance? How did Dartmouth help foster the formation of the American Renaissance and its reevaluation and reinvention in the twentieth? Why should we, as twenty-first century readers, concern ourselves with this literature?

Join a hybrid community of learners, both online and in residence at Dartmouth College, as we discover how to discern the historical turning points involved in the production and transmission of American Renaissance writings. We will conceptualize the role historical and affective turning points continue to play in the selection, interpretation and valuation of these writings.

Together we will propose continuities and discontinuities between these historical literary works and the present. Along the way we will construct global and temporal mappings between a set of seemingly disparate locations, myths, and traditions.

Join us in a discussion of the work of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Herman Melville, Frederick Douglass, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, and Mark Twain as we explore literary, political and historical context, their desire to create a distinctively national literature, and the ongoing controversy over the local, national, and transnational significance of this literature.

What you'll learn

The connections between the disparate locations, myths, and traditions found in nineteenth-century American literature.
The historical turning points involved in the production of an American literary tradition.
The ways in which Dartmouth College participated in the creation of American literature.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The connections between the disparate locations, myths, and traditions found in nineteenth-century american literature.
The historical turning points involved in the production of an american literary tradition.

The ways in which dartmouth college participated in the creation of american literature.

The connections between the disparate locations, myths, and traditions found in nineteenth-century american literature.
The historical turning points involved in the production of an american literary tradition.
The ways in which dartmouth college participated in the creation of american literature.

Good to know

Know what's good

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Presents a comprehensive study of the American Renaissance, which is highly relevant to academia

Develops an understanding of the role of Dartmouth College in the creation of American literature

Examines the connections between disparate themes and ideas found in nineteenth-century American literature

Taught by Donald E. Pease and James E. Dobson, who are recognized for their work on American literature

It is unclear if this course requires learners to come in with extensive background knowledge first

Reviews summary

American literature classic

According to students, this course on American Renaissance literature is well-received for its fascinating set of readings from important authors and concise lectures on the history of these books.

Students appreciate the historical context provided for these classic works of literature.

"I liked way in which the history of these books was presented."

Learners find the course's lectures to be concise and engaging.

"The lectures are concise"

Students value the selection of important and classic American books.

"Great class! Fascinating set of classic American books by important authors"

Career center

Learners who complete The American Renaissance: Classic Literature of the 19th Century will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

English Professor

An English Professor who specializes in American literature will benefit from this course. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the different perspectives within American literature in the 19th century, and can help build a foundation in the required skills for becoming an English Professor.

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Writer

For a Writer, it is important to understand the historical and cultural tradition of American letters. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the different perspectives within American literature in the 19th century. It will help build a foundation of knowledge in the required skills for becoming a Writer.

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Editor

For an Editor, it is important to understand the historical and cultural tradition of American letters. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the different perspectives within American literature in the 19th century. It will help build a foundation of knowledge in the required skills for becoming an Editor.

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Journalist

For a Journalist, it is important to understand the historical and cultural tradition of American letters. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the different perspectives within American literature in the 19th century. It will help build a foundation of knowledge in the required skills for becoming a Journalist.

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Public relations manager

For a Public Relations Manager, it is important to understand the historical and cultural tradition of American letters. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the different perspectives within American literature in the 19th century. It will help build a foundation of knowledge in the required skills for becoming a Public Relations Manager.

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Professor

This course would be helpful for a Professor, who would benefit from a clearer understanding of the historical turning points surrounding the American Renaissance. This understanding can help build a foundation in the required skills for the job.

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Teacher

This course would be helpful for a Teacher, who would benefit from a clearer understanding of the historical turning points surrounding the American Renaissance. This understanding can help build a foundation in the required skills for the job.

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Publisher

This course would be helpful for a Publisher, who would benefit from a clearer understanding of the historical turning points surrounding the American Renaissance. This understanding can help build a foundation in the required skills for the job.

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Curator

Being able to trace the historical genealogy of significant American literature will be a valuable asset for a Curator. This course helps build a foundation in the key aspects of this topic.

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Literary Agent

This course would be helpful for a Literary Agent, who would benefit from a clearer understanding of the historical turning points surrounding the American Renaissance. This understanding can help build a foundation in the required skills for the job.

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Archivist

This course would be helpful for an Archivist, who would benefit from a clearer understanding of the historical turning points surrounding the American Renaissance. This understanding can help build a foundation in the required skills for the job.

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Researcher

This course may be useful for a Researcher who wants a better understanding of the American Renaissance, and how the works of this period continue to influence American literature today.

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Librarian

This course may be useful for a Librarian who wants a better understanding of the American Renaissance, and how the works of this period continue to influence American literature today.

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Museum Educator

This course may be useful for a Museum Educator who wants a better understanding of the American Renaissance, and how the works of this period continue to influence American literature today.

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Historian

This course may be useful for a Historian who wants a better understanding of the American Renaissance, and how the works of this period continue to influence American literature today.

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Reading list

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The American Renaissance

Classic Literature of the 19th Century