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ENGL 2328 Honors American Literature II: American Apocalypse

This research guide supports research for ENGL 2328 which focuses on apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic works of American literature and film, ranging from the early 20th century to the present day.

Thinking about your research

"In science fiction and speculative fiction, the plague often serves as a convenient agent to reduce the population, so as to focus on a small band of survivors, but in many cases, authors like to explore the transformation that occurs as a result of infection. And that transformation often calls into question what it means to be human, either by removing something essential or adding a new element. The social order also changes in profound ways. The infected have to adapt to survive, and sometimes that puts them in opposition with the immune/uninfected. What do the infected symbolize for us? (race, **capitalism, consumption, terrorism, patriarchy, etc?) How do the characters in these works deal with the Us vs. Them opposition forged through disease? What motivating functions do pregnancy/childbirth provide in Ma and Carson? How do these stories tend to flip the script on what is traditionally considered “monstrous”?" - Dr. Thomas

Narrow your Keywords

Questions to ask when narrowing your keywords:

What is my main idea or topic?

What background information do I need?

Check out the following three examples of keywords that could work for Paper #2:

Pick something interesting and manageable based on your assignment.

Use reference sources like encyclopedia databases like Gale eBooks to learn key concepts.

Explore key concepts and terms related to your topic.

Pick something interesting and manageable based on your assignment &use reference sources like encyclopedia databases like Gale eBooks to learn key concepts

Use reference sources like encyclopedia databases like Gale eBooks to learn key concepts.

Explore key concepts and terms related to your topic.

Searching the Database Gale World History

Click on the Guide Me or Full Screen Button for a better viewing experience!

Search Everything at the Library!

Your works cited page


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