ENGL341 - Reading Race and Representation

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Academic Year 2000/2001

Reading Race and Representation
ENGL 341 SP

If race is an unwieldy and unscientific term, how do we begin to "read" it? Notions of race change and shift historically, socially, politically, legally and artistically. This course will begin to explore the variegated ways "race" and, by implication, identity and difference, is figured and represented in a range of American cultural productions, including fiction, journalism, film and popular culture. The class is organized so that the student may begin to map the complicated connections between and among race, gender, class, sexuality, politics and the law. Thus, the class will explore how these connections may result in a global and multicultural literacy in the American context.

MAJOR READINGS

Takaki, IRON CAGES: RACE AND CULTURE IN 19th CENTURY AMERICA
Matsuda et al. WORDS THAT WOUND: CRITICAL RACE THOERY, ASSAULTIVE SPEECH AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT
Morrison. PLAYING IN THE DARK: WHITENESS AND LITERARY IMAGINATION
Jessie Faust, PLUM BUN
David Henry Hwang's M BUTTERFLY
R. Zamora Linmark's ROLLING THE R's
Anzia Yezierska. SALOME OF THE TENEMENTS
Films: FLOWER DRUM SONG, SLAYING THE DRAGON, BLACK IS BLACK AIN'T
Reader

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Students will submit brief one-page reaction/inquiry papers weekly. Each student will also be required to present and aspect of the class session's reading assignment. Grades will be based on mid-term (4-6) and final 15-20 pp paper, inquiry papers, a presentation and active listening and participation in class discussion.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course meets the English Department's Theory requirement.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA ENGL Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Isaac,Allen P.

Times: ..T.... 07:00PM-10:00PM; Location: FISK101

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 15)

SR. major: 3 Jr. major: 3

SR. non-major: 4 Jr. non-major: 4 SO: 1 FR:

Special Attributes:

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001