English 271 - Race, Class, and Gender

Each of us lives in a world in which race, class and gender--complex and elusive terms--reflect multiple realities. In the last few years they have openly shaped public discourse in the U.S. They also affect individuals and groups differently: invisible to many, an inescapable felt presence for many others. Denial, controversy, struggle, pride, and hesitation are but some of peoples’ responses. A world of courses could not comprehend the responses or the terms themselves, the histories or the controversies. So this course must necessarily be exploratory and, beyond the usual, open to each participant, even in sharp disagreements.

Memoirs, novels and poems, lively and revelatory social science texts make up the readings. Short weekly writings and three essays complete the work of the course.

Limited to 35 students. Spring semester. Professor Emeritus O’Connell.