American Literary Studies and the Marketplace 4219-RS282
This course will look at how developments in printing, publishing, and bookselling have impacted American literary production over the decades. More specifically, it will look at how publishers, booksellers, literary agents, book design, and even technological advances have shaped American literature and American literary studies. Taking an interdisciplinary approach which combines literary studies, cultural history, and economics, this course examines key moments such as the rise of the paperback, literary awards and festivals, and our digital landscape including how social media phenomena such as BookTok and Wattpad have influenced literary output in recent years. By analyzing how literature gets produced and distributed, questions over literary form, taste, and reception will be addressed from dynamic perspectives.
Working Methods:
- group meetings (a detailed schedule is presented to students before the first meeting by the instructors of each group).
- individual consultations with the lecturer.
- presentation of research results
Works:
- In-class presentation
- Written work at the end of the semester
Type of course
elective courses
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the historical and cultural context of publishing in America and its role in shaping literary production and reception
Analyze evolving publishing and distribution dynamics in the US and globally, and their impact on American authors
Critically evaluate the role of publishing and the book trade in shaping cultural narratives and identities.
Skills
Critically analyze and interpret literary works considering their material and cultural contexts
Apply relevant theories and concepts to understand the motivations, challenges, and achievements of the American publishing industry
Conduct research using appropriate methodologies to explore specific topics related to publishing and literature.
Communicate research findings and critical analyses effectively through well-structured essays and engaging class interactions.
Social Competences
Engage in respectful dialogue and debate about the complexities of cultural exchange and artistic influence.
Collaborate effectively with peers in group projects and discussions, demonstrating openness to diverse perspectives.
Appreciate the role of texts in fostering cross-cultural understanding and communication.
Reflect on the ongoing relevance of the book trade for contemporary readers and cultural interactions.
Assessment criteria
30% Attendance and participation
20% Class presentation
50% Final paper
Bibliography
Jean-Christophe Cloutier, Shadow Archives: The Lifecycles of African American Literature
Elizabeth Eisenstein, The Printing Press as an Agent of Change
Leslie Howsam, Old Books and New Histories: An Orientation to Studies in Book and Print Culture
Mark McGurl, Everything and Less: The Novel in the Age of Amazon
Janice Radway, Reading the Romance: Women, Patriarchy, and Popular Literature
James Raven, What Is the History of the Book?
Dan Sinykin, Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed the Publishing Industry and American Literature
John B. Thompson, Merchants of Culture: The Publishing Business in the Twenty-First Century
John B. Thompson, Book Wars: The Digital Revolution in Publishing
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: