English 521-001
Studies in Ethnic Minority Literature: Contemporary Asian American Fiction
Instr: Buley-Meissner, Mary Louise
Office: CRT 492; 229-4533
e-mail: meissner@uwm.edu
Office hours: TR afternoon and R evening by appt.
Course Information: TR; 12:30-1:45pm; CRT 368
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to contemporary fiction by Asian American authors whose achievements reflect their unique imaginations as well as their distinct cultural heritages. Our focus will be authors who creatively, boldly explore themes of identity, family, and community through cross-cultural experiences illuminating the secret sorrows, lost hopes and enduring dreams of their characters. Our reading includes two novels and three short story collections by authors from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian and other Asian American backgrounds. Individually and collectively, their work suggests that the search for belonging can be particularly challenging in a country undergoing continual social and cultural transformation. Subverting popular expectations of what it means to be "American" as well as "Asian," they ask us to question our own beliefs about similarities and differences across cultures, classes, genders, and nationalities. Rather than typifying or representing Asian American experience, their writing investigates its diversity, complexity and dynamism.
As we discuss these issues, we will consider historical, cultural, and social contexts in which Asian American literature has developed. Attention will be given to fundamental elements of fiction -- such as point of view, characterization, and conflict -- in terms of their artistic interrelationship. Overall, our goals will be enhanced abilities in literary analysis; exploration of similarities and differences in representations of self-identity, home, family and other subjects; and deeper appreciation of contributions made by Asian American authors to our country's multicultural literary heritage.
Prerequisites: Junior-standing or above is required. Completion of English 102 with a grade of C or better - or an EPT score at level 4 - also is required.
Textbooks: Course books are available at the UWM Bookstore. These include The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan; Why She Left Us by Rahna Reiko Rizzuto; Yellow: Stories by Don Lee; Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri; and Charlie Chan Is Dead 2: At Home in the World, an anthology edited by Jessica Hagedorn.
Course Requirements and Grading: The basic requirements and tentative grading structure are: class participation (15%), including attendance (and punctuality), completion of reading and writing assignments on time, constructive contributions to class discussion throughout the term, and respectful attentiveness to others' views in class discussion; course notebook of short essays (40%) based on course readings and class discussion; and final take-home essay exam (45%) on central themes of the course. Attendance also will affect your grade. Students trying to earn a grade in the A or B range should not miss more than two classes. Please note that if you miss more than six classes, you can not pass the course. The notebook will be collected at least twice during the term for evaluation; full credit will be given only to work turned in on time. The final take-home essay exam will be due on the official UWM exam date; makeup exams will not be given. "Incompletes" for the course will be given only under UWM conditions. If you need special assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, please notify the instructor at the start of the term.
