American Romanticism

elective courses

The subject matter of the course is romanticism in the US as a current in the history of ideas, literature, and painting. The list of topics includes the origin of American romanticism, its specific features in contrast to romanticism in Europe (Germany, UK), main figures (E.A. Poe, W.C. Bryant,, N. Hawthorne, R.W. Emerson, M. Fuller, H. D. Thoreau), social significance and heritage in American thought, and romantic landscape painting (W. Allston, T. Cole, F.E. Church).

Classroom

The following issues will be addressed in class: characteristic features of romanticism in Europe and USA, early abortive attempts to introduce romantic ideas in New England,, early romantic poetry (W.C. Bryant, E.A. Poe), American "dark romanticism" (E.A. Poe, N. Hawthorne), romanticism in the US and history (N. Hawthorne), the role of Harvard College and "Transcendental Club", R.W. Emerson's early essays and speeches (new model of American identity, understanding nature), R.W. Emerson's mature essays ("Fist Series"), nature and politics in H.D. Thoreau's selected works ("Walden," "Walking," "Civil Disobedience"), M. Fuller: intellectual emancipation of women (Conversations") and dispatches from Europe, social and political significance of romanticism in the US, romantic landscape painting (Hudson River School).

Topics of classes:

1. The beginning of romanticism in the US in 1805-1820

2. E.A. Poe as poet, fiction writer, and essayist - "Dark Romanticism"

3. The roots of romanticism in New Egland - romanticism and the local religious tradition, European influences

4. Romanticism as an element of the US cultural identity

5. R.W. Emerson's early essays ("Nature," "The American Scholar," "The Divinity School Address")

6. R.W. Emerson's essays (Fiirst and Second Series) ("History," "Circles," "The Poet")

7. N. Hawthorne: romanticism and history (selected tales)

8. M. Fuller in USA and Europe: intellectual emancipation of women, encounter with Europe before and during the Spring of Nations

9. H.D. Thoreau and nature in practice (selected chapters of "Walden," "Walking)

10. The political and social significance of romanticism in USA (abolition of slavery, support of Native Americans, status of women, utopia).

11. The rise of landscape painting (W. Allston, Hudson River School: T. Cole, F.E. Church).

Selected bibliography

L. Buell, Literary Transcendentalism (2016)

L. Buell, New England Literary Culture (1986)

L. Buell, Emerson (2003)

L. Chai, The Romantic Foundations of the American Renaissance (1987)

P. Gura, American Transcendentalism. A History (2007)

W.R. Hutchison, The Transcendentalist Ministers (1972)

B. Novak, Nature and Culture: American Landscape and Painting (2007)

S. Paul, The Shores of America (1958)

A.C. Rose, Transcendentalism as a Social Movement, 1830-1850 (1981)

S. Rosenheim and S, Rachman (eds), The American Face of E.A. Poe (1995)

Knowledge: A graduate possesses comprehensive knowledge and understanding of:

- the significance of cultural studies and religious studies within the scholarly system, including their specific subjects and methodologies, relationships with other disciplines and fields, and future development directions

- major trends and works of American literature, essential foundations of American literary history that are an integral part of studying North American culture, as well as theoretical and methodological basics of literary studies

Skills: A graduate is able to:

- formulate and solve complex research problems, recognizing, understanding, interpreting, explaining, and analyzing the causes and course of cultural processes and phenomena in the United States using sources and standard research methods and tools within the humanities

- interpret works of American literature in the context of broadly understood American culture

- apply principles of effective communication necessary in the context of exchange between two cultural systems

Social Skills: A graduate is able to:

- utilize interdisciplinary knowledge acquired in American Studies concerning the United States to formulate own opinions and recognize its significance in solving cognitive and practical problems

- develop professionally, continue learning and engage in the development of American Studies

Final test - 40 p.

Term paper - 30 p.

Active participation in class discussion - 30 p.

Grading: 100-80/5, 87-75/4, 74-55/3, 54-0/2

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