The reading list for our journey through American literature this spring is long. To help you try to save money and fully explore your options, I am posting this information about texts you need to buy for the course now (we will be reading other texts that are freely available on web sites, but since you will not need to purchase those I do not list them here).
All of our texts are available in the bookstore: Lit 251 Texts In Bookstore
If you buy everything on our list from the bookstore, the texts add up to roughly $80.00. I know that seems high, but for an upper-division literature course (and please remember that American Literature 251 is an upper-division lit course), we simply have to read a wide range of texts. In all cases but one, I have chosen the cheapest printed text available (the one exception is our first text, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which I discuss below).
You may be able to save money by checking new and used prices online, so for each of our texts I have provided an image, an ISBN number, the date by which you will need the text for the class, some price information, and an Amazon link (listed below with images and ISBN numbers). I am not recommending Amazon in any way, but Amazon's site is a good place to gather information and begin your search for alternatives to the bookstore.
If you buy online--either from the bookstore or somewhere else, make sure you will have the text by the date we need it for the class. We do not need most of our texts until later in the semester, but you need our specific edition of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn right away. This is a scholarly edition that has detailed, unique, and illuminating scholarly footnotes about the biographical and cultural contexts of the text that will be central to our discussions, quizzes, and paper about the book.
Because the text is more expensive than other editions and because you will need this book right away to succeed in the class, I am offering a $5 book scholarship to anyone who brings the correct edition of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (see details below) to the second day of class. This scholarship will bring the text price down to the cost of most cheaper editions; but remember, you must have the text by the second day of class!
I know times are tough--believe me I know--so
if a pressing financial need or situation makes it difficult for you to
purchase these texts, please contact me to explore options to help you
(jimsullivan@miracosat.edu). I do not want anyone to miss out on this
class because of text book costs. And I will do everything I can to
help any students in a particularly difficult situation.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
University of California Press, 2001
Date Needed for Class: Right away!
We will begin discussing the book on our second day!
MiraCosta Boostore: Used $15.00
Amazon: New $13.57
Used Online from $2.00
ISBN: 978-0-520-22838-2
• • • • • • • • • •
Kate Chopin
The Awakening
Dover
Date Needed In Class: Wednesday February 17
MiraCosta Bookstore / Amazon: New $2.00
Used from $.34
ISBN: 978-0486277868
Amazon Link
• • • • • • • • • •
William Faulkner
As I Lay Dying
Vintage, 1991
Date Needed in Class: Wednesday March 3
MiraCosta Bookstore: Used $9.75
Amazon: New $9.23
Used Online from $2.40
ISBN: 978-0679732259
Amazon Link
• • • • • • • • • •
Invisible Man
Vintage
Date Needed In Class: Wednesday March 15
MiraCosta Bookstore: Used $10.50
Amazon: New $10.17
Used Online from
ISBN: 978-0679732761
• • • • • • • • • •
Eugene O'Neill
Long Day's Journey Into Night
Yale
Date Needed in Class: Monday April 12
MiraCosta Bookstore: New $12.95
Amazon: New $9.07
Used online from $2.50
ISBN: 978-0300093056
Amazon Link
Toni Morrison
Sula
Vintage
Date Needed in Class: Wednesday April 28
MiraCosta Bookstore: New $14.00
Amazon: New 9.89
Used online from 4.50
ISBN: 978-1400033430
Amazon Link
• • • • • • • • • •
Leslie Marmon Silko
Ceremony
Penguin
Date Needed in Class: Wednesday May 5
MiraCosta Bookstore: New $16.00
Amazon: New $10.40
Used online from 8.50
ISBN: 978-0143104919
Amazon Link
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