Welcome to the course website for ENG 396 at the University of Rhode Island
The image above is a detail from Beavertail Surf by Michelle Caraccia, www.michellelcaraccia.com
Literature of the Sea: The Rumowicz Seminar 2019
ENG 396 The Rumowicz Seminar in Literature and the Sea
The Oceanic Nineteenth Century: What is Oceanic Literary Studies?
In this course we will explore how viable it is to speak of a maritime literature, as a body of texts and cultural productions that envision the sea (and what lies beneath, within, and beyond it) as a force to be conquered, confronted, negotiated, explored or simply survived. We will also examine the various ways in which the figure of the sailor or seaman is represented in a maritime canon that includes Homer’s the Odyssey, Olaudah Equiano’s An Interesting Narrative, Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and Benito Cereno, the “Amistad” section of Elizabeth Alexander’s American Sublime, and Kevin Young’s Ardency. We will ask what other figures populate these texts and how might they lead us to different conceptions of the “oceanic.”
We will read literary texts that challenge our sense of perspective, that ask us to view maritime literature from the shore, from ships in an indifferent ocean, and from the point of view of sailors, whalers, beachcombers, adventurers, pilots, merchants as well as captive and fugitive slaves. With this in mind the final segment of the course will ask, what might an indigenous oceanic literary studies look like? This seminar features guest lectures, film screenings, and a class trips to the Trinity Rep, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Providence Public Library, Tomaquag Museum, and/or Mystic Seaport.
Course Goals:
- To introduce you to Oceanic Literary Studies as an interdisciplinary subfield and to become familiar with its methods and objects of study.
- To broaden our conception of maritime literature.
ENG 396 will emphasize the following English Department Learning Outcomes:
- 1.2 Knowledge of a Range of Texts: Students will acquire knowledge of a range of texts and authors that may exemplify oceanic literature with a focus on American and U.S Literature to 1900. We will read a variety of fictional and nonfictional genres.
- 3.2Diversity of Perspective: Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize the diversity of intellectual, cultural, and/or ethnic perspectives within oceanic literature.
- With the goal of developing learning outcome 3.3 Power of Voice (Students develop an individualized critical voice, able to interpret, analyze, and evaluate with originality and persuasiveness), students will hone outcome 2.2 Writing Skills (Students write effectively and persuasively).
This course will satisfy the historical period requirement in 1800 to 1900 upon completion and submission of a Curriculum Modification form. Please see Professor Walton or Professor Nikitas.
