239812 “Looking for Chang:” Asian American Literatures (BS) (WiSe 2012/2013)

This course will engage with the literary productions by writers that have been categorized as belonging to the field of Asian American fiction writing. While questioning the appropriateness, limitations, and desirability of the umbrella term “Asian American,” this class will study works by writers such as Sui Sin Far, John Okada, Carlos Bulosan, Sara Sureli, Sigrid Nunez, Jessica Tarahata Hagedorn, Karen Tei Tamashita. Some of the leading questions of this seminar will be: What kind of U.S. American/Asian American identities do the authors represent in their respective works? How do they reinforce, rewrite, and/or challenge U.S. American stereotypes about Asian Americans? How do they address issues of gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity in a global changing world?

Literaturangaben

Required Reading

Sui Sin Far Spring Fragrance and Other Stories
Jade Snow Wong Fifth Chinese Daughter
John Okada No-No Boy
Carlos Bulosan America Is in the Heart
Nora Okja Keller Comfort Woman
Meena Alexander Fault Lines: A Memoir
Sigrid Nunez A Feather in the Breath of God