This course will survey some of key contributions by Asian American writers, primarily novelists, in the post-WWII period. We will explore the diversity of Asian American experience and the historical construction of the category “Asian American.” Primary questions include: How have Asian American writers narrated the story of America? How have they explored the themes of immigration, nationalism and citizenship? What is the role of gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality and other factors in shaping identity, and how have these changed over time?
This is a writing-intensive course that will feature peer review and regular class discussion. Required reading not listed below will be available to download and print via Laulima.
Course Requirements
Attendance and participation
Four 4-page papers
Informal writing assignments
Short presentations
Final exam
Required Texts (available at Revolution Books, 2626 King Street)
Carlos Bulosan, America is in the Heart
Monica Sone, Nisei Daughter
Maxine Hong Kingston, Woman Warrior
R. Zamora Linmark, Rolling the R’s
Chang-rae Lee, Native Speaker
Jhumpa Lahiri, Interpreter of Maladies