Studies in Contemporary Literature (461-0-20)

Topic

Asian American Literature

Instructors

Michelle Huang
847/491-6837
University 226
Office Hours: T 2pm - 3pm; W 2pm - 3pm

Meeting Info

University Hall 018 English: Wed 2:00PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

This graduate seminar serves as an introduction to the field of Asian American literature, with a twin focus on classic texts and core debates. In addition to highlighting the richness and complexity of this literary tradition, the class will pressure key critical terms and paradigms such as representation, authenticity, genre & form, voice & lyric, history & archive, and of course, race. Participants will be exposed to a range of methodologies for close reading for racial formation as a formal feature of textual composition, as well as gain proficiency with Asian American literature's relationship to central and emergent debates within American literary studies.

Some questions for consideration include the following: What do the many subjects and locations of Asian American literature tell us about the capaciousness of the category itself? What tensions and resonances arise when critical race and ethnic studies meet theories of representation? How are conventional modes of understanding racial identity in literature transformed when put in relation with theories of migration, imperialism, economics, and the environment?

Teaching Method

Discussion-based seminar.

Evaluation Method

Conference paper, discussion posts, presentation, and participation in discussions.

Class Materials (Required)

Assigned texts will likely include primary texts by Maxine Hong Kingston, Chang-rae Lee, Jhumpa Lahiri, Karen Tei Yamashita, Monique Truong, Frank Chin, Lesley Tenorio, lê thị diễm thúy, Ruth Ozeki, Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, and Mei-mei Berssenbrugge. Secondary texts will include work by Lisa Lowe, David Eng, Kandice Chuh, Colleen Lye, Joseph Jonghyun Jeon, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Rachel Lee, among others. Please verify before purchasing texts.

Texts will be available at: Primary texts will be available at Norris bookstore, and all secondary materials will be uploaded to Canvas.