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College Seminar (101-7-1)

Instructors

Tara Fickle

Meeting Info

University Hall 118: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

This course introduces students to Asian American comics and graphic narratives. How do these texts define what it means to be Asian in America, and what counts as Asian American literature? How do they graphically capture the unique position of Asian Americans as both racially hyper-visible and socially invisible? Readings will include comics by authors such as Gene Yang, Mira Jacob, Adrian Tomine, and G.B. Tran.

Learning Objectives

- Reading comic books and critical texts with a view to better understanding their conventions.
- Drawing on relevant information to situate these texts within their cultural, political, and historical
contexts.
- Employing creativity and interpretive skills to produce original, persuasive arguments.
- Becoming familiar with the genealogy of Asian American history and the basic scholarly terminology and
theories for analyzing Asian American culture.

Class Materials (Required)

Gene Yang, American Born Chinese, ISBN 9781250811899
Sonny Lew & Gene Yang, The Shadow Hero, 978159643697
Adrian Tomine, Shortcomings 9781897299753
Mira Jacobs, Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversation, 9780399589065
Lisa Wool-Rim Sjöblam, Palimpsest: Documents from a Korean Adoption, 9781770463301
G.B. Tran, Vietnamerica, 978034550872

Class Notes

Attendance at first class is mandatory

Class Attributes

WCAS College Seminar