ENGL 2019 - Asian American Literature

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab None
Course Description: Students will examine literary works produced by American writers with ancestral roots in countries such as Laos, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, India, and China, from the first wave of Asian immigration to the present day. Concepts such as identity formation and racism are used as frameworks for students to analyze and explore a diverse set of literary genres. Students may have the opportunity to attend Asian American cultural events connected to their literary studies as well.
MnTC Goals
6 Humanities/Fine Arts, 7 Human Diversity

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. Background: terms/key questions –What does it mean to be ¿Asian American¿? –Review of literary terminology
2. Immigration literature (1850s -1940s) –Conditions for Asians coming to America –Asians struggling to form an American identity –Racism and power relationships
3. Post-war literature (1940s-1970s) –Struggles with American identity after World War II –Racism and power relationships
4. Representations of Asian American identity in popular literature (1970s-2000) –Representations of ¿Asian American¿ at the end of the 20th century –Racism and power relationships
5. Literature of the present day (21st century) –Being Asian in America today –Racism and power relationships still present

1. analyze basic literary elements in works studied.
2. analyze the development of and the changing meaning of Asian American.
3. analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts, and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry
4. analyze these works as expressions of individual and human values within cultural contexts.
5. articulate an informed personal response to works in Asian American literature.
6. describe the scope and variety of works in Asian American literature.
7. explain individual and institutional power relationships affecting Asian Americans.
8. respond critically to works in Asian American literature.

06. 03. Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.

06. 05. Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
Competency 2 (7-10)
07. 01. Understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States’ history and culture.

07. 03. Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.

07. 05. Demonstrate communication skills necessary for living and working effectively in a society with great population diversity.

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