Bercovitch's Absence Leaves Curricular Hole

Carswell Professor of American Literature and Languages Sacvan Bercovitch's unexpected leave of absence next semester will make what some call the English department's already slim offerings in American literature even slimmer.

Bercovitch, who was scheduled to teach English 90md, "American Dissent," and English 170, "Puritanism in America," will take a disability leave for the spring term to receive treatment for a throat tumor, according to Lawrence Buell, Marquand professor of English and chair of the department of English and American Literature and Language.

"We're very sorry that he won't be able to teach next term, but it's important that he be able to attend to this," Buell said. "We're all thinking about him with concern and fondness."

Buell said he expects Bercovitch to return next fall.

In the interim, however, his courses will not be taught. Buell said Bercovitch's announcement came too late for the department to find substitutes to teach his classes.

Buell said Bercovitch's absence will not affect English concentrators unless they specifically want to study either the colonial period or with Bercovitch.

In the interim, Buell said students may seek out Cabot Professor of American Literature Alan E. Heimert, himself and lecturers Christopher Irmscher and John Stauffer, who he said are "competent" in the field.

However, Buell said Bercovitch's leave might present some problems for American history and literature concentrators, since they must take a course in colonial literature to graduate.

He speculated the concentration would probably circumvent the problem by encouraging students to take other courses or, in more extreme cases, considering waivers or covering the material in tutorials.

"I'm sure that history and literature will be able to find a way to keep students from being unfairly set back by this," Buell said.

Some American history and literature concentrators were concerned that Bercovitch's departure would make it harder for them to meet their require- ments.

Besides Bercovitch's two offerings. Heimert'sEnglish 71, "The Literature of American Religion,"is the only other course that fulfills thecolonial literature requirement. The class islimited to 15 students.

"There are only a few classes to choose from,and it really takes some foresight in terms ofplanning your curriculum," said Tara B. Purohit'99. "If you are a senior who was banking on thatnext term, you don't have much choice."

Daniel M. Hennefeld '99 said the Englishdepartment offers few classes in the Americanfield in general.

"[The English department's offerings] coulddefinitely be broader," he said. "That's somethingthat could use some improvement."

Bercovitch, author of four books and editor ofthe Cambridge History of AmericanLiterature, joined the Faculty 16 years agoand has academic interests ranging from colonialAmerica to the 20th-century author Nathaniel Westto modern Jewish literature.

"His contributions are really important as ascholar and teacher," Buell said

Besides Bercovitch's two offerings. Heimert'sEnglish 71, "The Literature of American Religion,"is the only other course that fulfills thecolonial literature requirement. The class islimited to 15 students.

"There are only a few classes to choose from,and it really takes some foresight in terms ofplanning your curriculum," said Tara B. Purohit'99. "If you are a senior who was banking on thatnext term, you don't have much choice."

Daniel M. Hennefeld '99 said the Englishdepartment offers few classes in the Americanfield in general.

"[The English department's offerings] coulddefinitely be broader," he said. "That's somethingthat could use some improvement."

Bercovitch, author of four books and editor ofthe Cambridge History of AmericanLiterature, joined the Faculty 16 years agoand has academic interests ranging from colonialAmerica to the 20th-century author Nathaniel Westto modern Jewish literature.

"His contributions are really important as ascholar and teacher," Buell said