DESCRIPTION: Neither a neutral ground, nor one that exists independently of social and political concerns, English studies involves the study of a diverse array of texts and it encompasses a wide range of often competing theories and methodologies. In this introduction to English studies, we will investigate the production, interpretation, and cultural work of literary and extraliterary texts. We will survey a range of theories, fields, and methodologies with attention to their different and related histories. We will survey traditional approaches and formulations that have been important to English studies, and consider them in relation to contemporary debates and trajectories. We will investigate ongoing questions of aesthetics, ethics, representation, and ideology and think about the stakes of these topics, and the significance of different positions and approaches to them. As we define and identify critical approaches (for example, structuralist, poststructuralist, psychoanalytic, marxist, feminist, queer, postcolonial, etc.) and terms (for example, globalization, indigeneity, diaspora), we will put these approaches into dialogue with one another in order to understand tensions and contradictions among various approaches, as well as to address their similarities and points of connection. We also will put these theoretical readings in dialogue with cultural texts (novels, a play, film, youtube videos). The cultural texts will serve both to illustrate and illuminate the theoretical readings and also to provide insights into their blindspots and limitations. As we think throughout this course about the value, aims, and uses of English studies, we will do so with particular attention to our location in Hawai‘i.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS: Two midterms (~40%); a collaboratively written parody of a theoretical text (~5%); a final exam with a take-home essay component (~35%); a class presentation (~10%); short writing assignments, both in-class and as homework (~10%). Attendance is mandatory.
TEXTS (to be ordered through Revolution Books): Ghassan Kanafani, Men in the Sun and Other Palestinian Stories; R. Zamora Linmark, Rolling the Rs; Toni Morrison, Beloved; Fred Moten and Stefano Harney, The Undercommons [online]; Claudia Rankine, Citizen
FILMS (to be placed on reserve at Sinclair Library): Hector Babanco, Kiss of the Spiderwoman; Keala Kelly, Noho Hewa; Kimberly Peirce, Boys Don’t Cry; Elia Sulieman, Divine Intervention; Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, Bihttos
Additional readings will be available as pdfs, or in a course reader.