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The American Renaissance and Herman Melville

The American Renaissance and Herman Melville

This course is part of American Renaissance: Classic Literature of the 19th Century Specialization

Instructors: James Dobson

Included with

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2 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

2 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

2 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the American Renaissance: Classic Literature of the 19th Century Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 2 modules in this course

This course explores Moby-Dick, Melville's great American novel. You will listen to a series of short lectures on the historical and cultural context that informed the writing of Moby-Dick. You will examine Starbuck’s argument with Ahab to explain why the crew does not mutiny in Moby-Dick, how the drowning of Pip qualifies as an example of the narrative performing the work of testimony, and the differences between Ishmael’s speculative and testamentary narratives. You will also explore different ideological appropriations of Moby-Dick.

Module details

This module explores Moby-Dick, Melville's great American novel by listening to a series of short lectures on the historical and cultural context that informed the writing of Moby-Dick.

What's included

8 videos9 readings1 assignment

8 videosTotal 47 minutes

Welcome to the Course5 minutes
Keyword: American Exceptionalism9 minutes
Setting the Stage at Rauner Library 8 minutes
Keyword: Genre3 minutes
Video "The Plurality of the Whale"7 minutes
Video: Wreck of the Essex6 minutes
Video: Whaling Epic6 minutes
Video: The Ship as Stage3 minutes

9 readingsTotal 71 minutes

Welcome to the Course5 minutes
Keyword: American Exceptionalism2 minutes
Setting the Stage at Rauner Library2 minutes
Keyword: Genre2 minutes
Introduction to Melville30 minutes
"The Plurality of the Whale"5 minutes
Wreck of the Essex5 minutes
Video: Whaling Epic10 minutes
Video: The Ship as Stage10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Herman Melville: An Introduction Graded Assessment 30 minutes

This module explores Moby-Dick, Melville's great American novel by listening to a series of short lectures on the historical and cultural context that informed the writing of Moby-Dick.