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Academic Year 2003/2004
Reading Race and Representation
ENGL 341 FA
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, film and popular culture. The class is organized so that students 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 U.S.
American context.
MAJOR READINGS
Takaki. IRON CAGES: RACE AND CULTURE IN 19th CENTURY AMERICA
Matsuda et al. WORDS THAT WOUND: CRITICAL RACE THEORY, ASSAULTIVE SPEECH AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT
Morrison. PLAYING IN THE DARK: WHITENESS AND LITERARY
IMAGINATION
Fitzgerald. GREAT
GATSBY
Octavia Butler, XENOGENESIS series
Yezierska, SALOME OF THE TENEMENTS
Nella Larsen, PASSING
Films: IMITATION OF LIFE, BLADE
R=Reader; Readings will be supplemented throughout the semester.
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Students will submit a brief 1 - 1 1/2 page inquiry paper weekly. Each student will also be required to present 1) an aspect of the class session's reading assignment once during the semester and 2) his/her final paper
at end of term. Grades will be
based on a midterm paper (4 pp) and a final paper (12-15 pp), inquiry papers, class presentation and active listening and participation in class discussion.
COURSE FORMAT:
Seminar
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-19-2004
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Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459