English 192-004
Southeast Asian American Life Stories
Instr: Buley-Meissner, Mary Louise
Office: CRT 492; 229-4533
e-mail: meissner@uwm.edu
Office hours: TR; afternoons; R; evenings by appt.
Course Information: TR; 12:30-1:45pm; CRT 119
Course Description
Extraordinary stories often are told by ordinary people: stories of courage, sacrifice, strength, and hope. As we read life stories by and about Southeast Asian Americans, we can better understand the histories, sorrows, and dreams of people who have come to this country from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos to build new lives. Through our study of autobiography, family biography, and contemporary writing, we will learn how political forces intersect with personal circumstances in shaping individual identities, family bonds, and enduring community values. Central to our work together will be learning how such tragic events as the Vietnam War and the Cambodia Holocaust have affected entire generations. For example, what inner resources do people draw on as they struggle to survive (physically, mentally, spiritually) during times of war and political turmoil? On what basis can identity and integrity be strengthened as people face the challenge of rebuilding their lives after war? When refugees from Laos have settled in the United States, why has it been difficult to bridge differences between traditional Hmong and modern American views regarding the interrelationship of self, family and society? As we investigate such questions, we also will consider the ethical issues involved in understanding and responding to human suffering. Guest speakers and films (including "Heaven and Earth" and "The Killing Fields") will provide background for our discussions. Through individual research projects, students will have the opportunity to explore topics of special interest and present their findings to the class.
Overall, through our work together, we will see how life stories offer new views of the past, important questions abut the present, and valuable lessons for shaping the future of our multicultural country. If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact the instructor by e-mail.
Textbooks: The five required books are available at the University Bookstore on campus; all of the books should be purchased at the start of the term. They include: When Heaven and Earth Changed Places by Le Ly Hayslip; First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers and Lucky Child: A Daughter of Cambodia Reunites with the Sister She Left Behind by Loung Ung; Bamboo Among the Oaks: Contemporary Writing by Hmong Americans, edited by Mai Neng Moua; and The Rowman & Littlefield Guide to Writing with Sources, 2nd edition.
Course Requirements: English 192 emphasizes active learning through extensive reading; reflective and analytical writing; critical discussion of course material; and individual research projects. The basic course requirements and tentative grading structure are: class participation (15%) including attendance (and punctuality), completion of reading assignments on time, constructive contributions to class discussion throughout the term, and respectful attentiveness to others' views in class discussion; three major essays (70%) based on course readings and discussions; and an individual research project (15%) related to central themes of the course. Information about service-learning options will be provided in class. Participating organizations are affiliated with the UWM Institute for Service Learning (ISL) and include the Milwaukee Christian Center, Hmong Educational Advancements, Inc., Hmong American Friendship Association, Hmong American Women's Association, the Indochinese Learning Center, and Lao Family Community.
Attendance and "Incomplete" Policies: Attendance affects the final grade. Students trying to earn a grade in the "A" or "B" range should not miss more than three classes. Students who miss more than seven classes can not pass the course. If you need special class accommodations, such as a sign language interpreter, please notify the instructor at the start of the term. "Incompletes" will not be given except under UWM conditions.
