Call for Papers | Society of Early Americanists
American Literature Association | 37th Annual Conference | May 20–23, 2026 | Chicago, IL

Teaching Early American Literature Outside the Survey Course

While recent decades have seen significant shifts in pedagogical approaches to early American literature, most undergraduate students (including many English majors) still obtain the bulk of their early American literary knowledge from some version of a broad survey course. Recognizing the potential limitations of such encounters, then, this roundtable asks: Where else in our curricula are we (or should we be) teaching early American literary texts?

Short papers, provocations, and/or presentations are invited that offer specific responses to this question. Roundtable participants will begin the discussion – and audience members will be encouraged to response and contribute throughout the conversation. Topics might include (but are not limited to):

• Pairing early American writings with more contemporary texts.
• Including early American literature in theme-based courses.
• Developing upper-level courses in pre-1830 American literature that attract student enrollment and maintain student enthusiasm.
• Incorporating early American literature in creative writing courses.
• Combining early American texts and elements of visual and/or material culture.
• Applying early American literature to disciplines outside the humanities.

Please send short abstracts (no more than 250 words) and brief bios to Joshua Bartlett at jcbartlett@gmail.com by Monday, January 26, 2026.