ENGL 2019 - Asian American Literature

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab 0
Internship hours per week 0
Course Description: This college literature course, intended for all students, examines the literary works produced by American writers with ancestral roots in Asian countries such as Laos, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, India, and China. Topics include immigration, identify formation, racism and other forms of oppression, power structures and relationships, and cultural adaptations. As representations of diverse communities and literary genres, authors may include Sui Sin Far, David Mura, Li-Young Lee, Jhumpa Lahiri, Kao Kalia Yang, and Thi Bui.  
MnTC Goals
Goal 6 Goal 7A

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: ENGL 1020   with a grade of C or higher OR ENGL 1021  with a grade of C or higher.

Major Content

1. 1. Background: terms/key questions 

   a. What does it mean to be “Asian American”? 

   b. Review of literary elements, critical frameworks, and terminology 

   c. Questions of canon formation 

   2. Immigration literature (1850s -1940s) 

   a. Conditions for Asians coming to America 

   b. Asians struggling to form an American identity 

   c. Racism, exclusion, and power relationships among racial groups 

   3. Post-war literature (1940s-1970s) 

   a. Struggles with American identity after World War II 

   b. Racism, inclusion, and power relationships among racial groups 

   4. Representations of Asian American identities in popular literature (1970s-2000) 

   a. Representations of “Asian American” at the end of the 20th century 

   b. Racism, exclusion, inclusion, and power relationships among racial groups 

   5. Literature of the present day (21st century) 

   a. Creations of and representations of Asian Americans  

   b. Institutional, systemic racism and power relationships among racial groups 

1. analyze basic literary elements in works studied. 

2. respond critically to works in Asian American literature. 

3. describe the scope and variety of works in Asian American literature. 

4. explain individual and institutional power relationships affecting Asian Americans as expressed in the literature. 

5. analyze the development of and the changing meaning of “Asian American” as expressed in the literature. 

6. analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts, and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry. 

7. articulate an informed personal response to works in Asian American literature. 

Courses and Registration