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Academic Year 2002/2003

Diasporas, Transnationalism and Globalization
ENGL 294 FA
Crosslistings:
AMST 294
SOC 294

Until the late 1960s, there were three classical or traditional diasporas-Jewish, Armenian and Greek-of which the paradigmatic case was the first. In the past three decades, many dispersed peoples and communities, once known as minorities, ethnicities, migrants, exiles, etc. have been renamed 'diasporas' by some of their own artists, or intellectual and political leaders, or by scholars. This phenomenon must be understood in the context of ever-increasing transnationalism and globalization. Together, these three concepts and phenomena challenge how we view the cultural identity of the nation-state (be it the USA, Canada, Britain, Australia or France), as well as its history, politics, and social life. This course will introduce students to the past and present of the concepts 'diaspora', 'transnationalism' and, to a lesser extent, 'globalization.'

MAJOR READINGS

There will be a course reader in which articles will be drawn from the disciplines of literature, cultural studies, American Studies, sociology, history, political science and ethnomusicology. Several novels will also be assigned.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Several short papers and one longer research paper.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

The three phenomena in question cannot be properly understood through one perspective or "lens". Any such lens, if used alone-an interest in one's "ethnic" identity only, or an interest in transnational cultural flows only, say-will distort and impoverish. At a minimum, binocular vision is necessary, and those students who are receptive to several disciplinary approaches and who already have some experience of one at the undergraduate level will profit most. However, the course does not requir e a prior knowledge of its three main topics: diaspora, transnationalism, globalization.

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: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-18-2003

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