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COL 290
New American Families
COL 290 SP
Crosslistings: HIST291
Next Offered in 9899 SP
Since the original European invasion of America and
dispossession of its native inhabitants, the experience of
coming to America has spread to almost every continent.
This course examines the cultural background and ways of
adjustment to the America they found of six more or less
voluntary immigrant populations -- British, Irish, Italian,
Eastern European Jewish, Latino and Asian Americans -- and
one forcibly taken to this country: African-Americans. We
shall spend two weeks on each group, the first concentrating
on the cultures from which the people came and the second
on their response to American society. Although more
emphasis will be placed on the first generation of
transplanted Africans, Asians, Latin Americans and
Europeans, we shall also consider the persistence fo their
cultural traditions in contemporary America. Emphasis on
comparison of novels and autobiographics as historical
sources.
MAJOR READINGS
David Cressy, COMING OVER: MIGRATION AND
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ENGLAND AND NEW ENGLAND IN THE 18TH
CENTURY
Bradford, William, OF PLIMOUTH PLANTATION
Alex Haley, ROOTS
Herbert Gutman, THE BLACK FAMILY IN SLAVERY AND FREEDOM,
1750-1925
Conrad Arensberg, THE IRISH COUNTRYMAN
L. Kennedy, THE IRISH
Constance Cronin, THE STING OF CHANGE
Gay Talese, UNTO THE SONS
Irving Howe, WORLD OF OUR FATHERS
Henry Roth, CALL IT SLEEP
Victor Villasenor, RAIN OF GOLD
Amy Tan, THE JOY LUCK CLUB
Lee, Mary Paik, QUIET ODDSEY: A PIONEER KOREAN WOMAN IN
AMERICA
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Four short papers on the
assigned reading and a final paper. This may be a history
of the student's own family, or a further exploration of
any of the themes raised in the reading and discussion.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS
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: Discussion Seminar
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level: UG Credit: 1.00
Gen Ed Area & Dept: SBS COL
Prerequisites:
None
Last Updated on MAR-10-1997
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Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459