You'll explore early American writing from colonial times to the Civil War. Expect to read works by Puritans, Native Americans, and famous authors like Poe, Emerson, and Hawthorne. You'll analyze how historical events and cultural shifts influenced literature, and how American identity developed through writing.

Is American Literature Before 1860 hard?

It can be challenging, especially if you're not used to older writing styles. The language can be dense and the cultural context might feel unfamiliar. But don't worry, most profs break it down and make it accessible. Once you get into the rhythm of the texts, it's actually pretty interesting to see how American lit evolved.

Tips for taking American Literature Before 1860 in college

Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram. 🌶️
Keep a timeline of major historical events to contextualize the literature.
Don't just read, but engage with the texts. Annotate and ask questions.
Join a study group to discuss and debate interpretations.
Watch "The Scarlet Letter" (1995) movie to visualize Hawthorne's world.
Listen to podcasts like "Backstory" for historical context.
Practice close reading skills on shorter texts like poems.

Common pre-requisites for American Literature Before 1860

Introduction to Literary Analysis: Learn the basics of analyzing and interpreting literature. You'll develop critical reading skills and practice writing about various literary elements.
American History to 1865: Get a solid foundation in early American history. This course covers the colonial period through the Civil War, providing context for the literature you'll study.

Classes similar to American Literature Before 1860

British Literature Before 1800: Dive into early English literature from Beowulf to the 18th century. You'll see how British lit influenced early American writers.
American Literature After 1860: Continue the American lit journey from the Civil War to modern times. It's like a sequel to your pre-1860 class.
Native American Literature: Focus specifically on works by Indigenous authors. You'll explore oral traditions, contemporary fiction, and everything in between.
Transcendentalism and American Renaissance: Deep dive into the mid-19th century literary movement. You'll read lots of Emerson, Thoreau, and their contemporaries.

English Literature: Focuses on analyzing and interpreting literature from various periods and cultures. Students develop strong writing and critical thinking skills.
American Studies: Examines American culture, history, and society through an interdisciplinary lens. Literature plays a big role in understanding the American experience.
History: Explores past events, cultures, and societal changes. Early American literature provides valuable insights into historical periods and mindsets.
Cultural Studies: Analyzes how cultural products, including literature, reflect and shape society. Early American lit offers rich material for understanding cultural dynamics.

What can you do with a degree in American Literature Before 1860?

Teacher or Professor: Educate others about early American literature and its historical context. You could work in high schools or universities, depending on your degree level.
Museum Curator: Develop exhibits and educational programs related to early American culture and literature. You'd work with historical artifacts and documents to bring history to life.
Editor: Work in publishing, helping to shape and refine written works. Your deep understanding of language and literary traditions would be valuable in this field.
Archivist: Preserve and organize historical documents, including early American manuscripts. You'd help maintain important cultural artifacts for future generations.