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Recent Asian Fiction In Diaspora: Representing Race and Sexualities
Required Texts:
Required Films:
GRADING:
MIDTERM and FINAL ESSAY:
You will be expected to complete two essays, 5-7 pages each. These essays should engage with some theoretical aspect covered in the course and provide a reading of one or more of the texts studied. In other words, your essay should examine how issues such as diaspora, home, globalization, race, sexuality, gender or national identification function in one of the novels, stories, or films from each half of the class. While it may not require any outside research, references should be documented in MLA format. See www.english.nwu.edu/courses/stylesheet.html.
CLASS PROJECT:
One time during the quarter, your small group will be expected to make
a 15-minute presentation at the beginning of class introducing one of the
texts. This should be a creative, entertaining presentation that goes into
depth about some relevant aspect of the text. Examples might be discussions
about relevant aspects of the country of origin or residence of the diasporic
writer, political situations that illuminate situations described in the
work, or an overview of other authors or works in dialogue with the class
reading. The presentation may take any form you choose-skits, performances
and supplementary material are encouraged. Each group should email a description
of their presentation or meet with me in my office at least 3 days in advance.
CLASS PARTICIPATION:
You may expect pop quizzes at the beginning of the class. These will be very simple 5 question quizzes designed to assess whether or not you have completed the day's assignment. Short in-class writing assignments may also contribute to this portion of your grade. In-class participation and evidence that you have prepared for class are the main factors that contribute to Class Participation. Because this is a discussion-based course, I expect you to say something in EVERY class. If you are shy or don't understand a reading, come to class with a specific question written down so that you can present it for discussion.
All films will be screened outside of class before the date appearing on the syllabus. This date is for class discussion. Readings should be completed by date indicated.
T 1/8--Introduction to course
Th 1/10--Tšlšlyan, "Rethinking Diaspora(s)" (copy)
Kureishi, Buddha of Suburbia (1-61)
T 1/15--Chow, "Where Have all the Natives Gone?" (27-54)
Hall, "The Question of Cultural Identity" (copy)
Buddha of Suburbia, cont. (62-195)
Th 1/17--Chow, "Politics and Pedagogy" (120-143)
Lowe, "Epistemological Shifts" (copy)
Buddha of Suburbia, cont. (196-end)
T 1/22--Dennis Altman "Rupture or Continuity" (copy)
Peter Jackson "Tolerant but Accepting: The Myth of a Thai Gay Paradise" (copy)
Th 1/24--Chua, Gold by the Inch (1-90)
T 1/29--Gold by the Inch, cont. (91-end)
Gopinath, "Funny Boys and Girls" (copy)
Manalansan, "Diasporic Deviants/Divas" (copy)
W 1/30--Screening: Happy Together
Th 1/31--Kumani, "The Cure," ""Maria" (copy)
Discuss Happy Together
T 2/5--Midterm Essay Due
Hagedorn, Dogeaters
Th 2/7--Dogeaters, cont.
T 2/12--Vrinda Nabar class visit.
Readings to be announced.
Th 2/14--Selvadurai, Funny Boy (1-150)
"Backdrop for Funny Boy" http://www.interlog.com/~funnyboy/converse.htm
T 2/19--Funny Boy, cont. (151-end)
T 2/19 5PM, Univ. Hall, Hagestrum Room
Vrinda Nabar, "Books, Bombs, Bollywood: The Many Faces of Indian Democracy"
Th 2/21--Screening: Kush, Fated to be Queer
T 2/26--Discuss Kush, Fated to be Queer
Parmar, "That Moment of Emergence" (copy)
Gupta, "India Postcard" (copy)
Seshadri and Ramakrishnan, "Queering Gender" http://members.tripod.com/pallavi/gender.html
Th 2/28--Mootoo, Cereus Blooms at Night (4-143)
Fr 2/29--Screening:Fresh Kill
T 3/5--Cereus Blooms at Night (finish)
Discuss Fresh Kill
Th 3/7--Final Exam
Fr 3/8--Final Essay due
