In this course, students will explore a variety of American texts, ranging from early poetry and prose to contemporary fiction and other media. By studying these works from a diverse group of writers, including Toni Morrison, Phillis Wheatley, Emily Dickinson, Octavia Butler, Fredrick Douglass, and Willa Cather, among others, students will develop their critical thinking, inquiry, analysis, and synthesis skills. Through this exploration, this course will identify and expand upon such themes as race, gender, sex, identity, power, religion, and social injustice.