LITR237

(Formerly LITR 235) A survey of Irish-American literature (fiction, poetry, drama, autobiography, short fiction). The course begins with early immigrant fiction, written before the famine of the 1840's. Then, we will consider the effect of the famine on Irish-American fiction later in the century. We will also read work by well-known Irish-American literary figures of the 20th and 21st centuries, like Fitzgerald, O'Connor, Kennedy, and others. Irish-Americans have produced significant works of drama and film as well. We may also consider popular entertainers like George Carlin and George McManus. Ultimately, the course is an attempt to understand how forces of history and culture like the famine, the Catholic Church, and the Irish Diaspora have shaped and reshaped the Irish-American experience.