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Academic Year 2003/2004


Asian American Literature and Its Discontents
ENGL 344 FA

Crosslistings:
AMST 244
WMST 346

Is there such a thing as an "Asian American" Literature? The course will survey Asian American writing before WWII, the emergence of Asian American literature as first anthologized in AIIIEEE (1974) fueled by the Yellow Power Movement to the various cultural and literary challenges since then posed in terms of gender, sexuality and colonialism. Through various literary and filmic texts by and about Asian/Asian American women, we will examine the intersection of gender, sexuality and ethnicity in these cultural productions and how these themes have evolved and been challenged throughout the 20th century.

MAJOR READINGS

Maxine Hong Winston, WOMAN WARRIOR
R. Zamora Linmark, ROLLING THE R'S
Bharati Mukherjee, JASMINE
Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, DICTEE
Lois Ann Yamanaka, BLU'S HANGING
Jessica Hagedorn, DOGEATERS
Chee, EDINBURGH

R=Reader
Excerpts from:
MAKING WAVES, AN ANTHOLOGY OF WRITINGS BY AND ABOUT ASIAN AMERICAN WOMEN
Chin et all, AIIIEEE (anthology)
Films: MY AMERICA...OR HONK IF YOU LOVE BUDDHA, SLAYING THE DRAGON, FLOWER DRUM SONG, JOY LUCK CLUB

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Students will submita total of 10 1 - 1 1/2 page reaction/inquiry papers due on the day's assigned reading(s). Once during the semester, each student will present an aspect of the class session's reading assignment. Grades will be based on a midterm exam and one 10-12 page final paper, inquiry papers, presentations and active listening and participation in class discussion.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004


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