In particular, we look at the intersections between history and literature, the formation of mixed or hybrid cultural identities, the effects of slavery and migration on the American literary imagination, the loss of land, the struggle for work, the capacity of writers to tell the stories of their ancestors in a written language that is strongly influenced by orality, dialect, bilingualism. This is a reading and writing intensive course. You will be expected to think about your own cultural identities, learn about the cultural mix that defines the new American literature, and read from an historical perspective. All readings and response papers must be completed by the scheduled discussion date.
Attendance is mandatory.
Unexcused absences will affect your final evaluation. Consider how it is shaped generationally, how it is affected by location, education, language, etc. This assignment also can include interviews with relatives or neighbors. You might do this by reading another book and relating it to the texts we have studied. Or, you might show the relationship between literary expressions and other forms of cultural expressions, for example, film, photography, paintings, music.