English 239 - AMERICAN JOURNEYS

This course is a study of American narratives, from a variety of ethnic traditions and historical eras, that explore forms of movement-immigration, migration, relocation, and border crossing-that are deeply imbedded in understandings of American life. We look at how citizenship as a social category and American national belonging is constructed in relation to and, sometimes, in opposition to indigeneity, race, gender and sexuality. We focus on each author's treatment of the complex encounter between new or marginalized communities and an established culture, and on definitions or interrogations of what it might mean to be, to become, or to refuse "American." Texts include novels, memoirs, films, and graphic novels written by American Indian, African American, Asian American and Chicano@/Latin@ authors.