Department of English

What does it mean to be Asian American? What is an Asian American identity? How do we define ourselves and how are we defined by others? We will consider these general questions in the particular field of Asian American literature by examining the social and historical contexts that have shaped the possibilities for defining an Asian American identity. We will discuss such issues as racism, assimilation, generational conflicts, family, gender, sexuality, and class. Course requirements will include two short papers, midterm, and final. We will read writing by such authors as Sui Sin Far, Monica Sone, John Okada, Bienvenido Santos, Carlos Bulosan, Maxine Hong Kingston, Frank Chin, Chang Rae-Lee, Lois-Ann Yamanaka, and Rachna Mara. Class time will be divided between lecture and discussion.