En 196 - Introduction to Asian American Literature and Theory

This course will provide an introduction to Asian American literature and theory. We will explore literary productions as a site to interrogate the aspirations and contradictions of the rubric of 'Asian America'. What does it mean to be Asian American? How can we think about the racial politics of Asian America in relation to class, gender, and other social determinants? Course readings will feature a mix of classic and contemporary Asian American fiction, poetry, and theory. Authors may include Maxine Hong Kingston, Karen Tei Yamashita, Solmaz Sharif, and Franny Choi.