English 1310 introduces the concepts, terms, and practices commonly encountered in literary study, presented by way of texts from American literature. In considering the evolution of “American Literature” from its earliest moments up to the present, we will explore and investigate the development of a literature, an idea, and a nation throughout its history, and examine the ways in which various literatures (and films) help us navigate the many and often contradictory notions of “America.” Our readings will look specifically at the literature of the American city, with a focus on crime and genre fiction. Readings include: Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep, Richard Wright’s The Man who Lived Underground, Don Delillo’s White Noise, and Yuri Herrera’s Signs Preceding the End of the World.