Course Outline for English 25
Asian-American Literature

Effective: Fall 2021
SLO Rev: 05/19/2016
Catalog Description:

ENGL 25 - Asian-American Literature

3.00 Units

Introduction to literary works of fiction, poetry, drama and the essay that reflect and explore the diversity of Asian-American experiences as well as divisions within Asian-American communities. Class explores literary expressions of cultural pride and identity, as well as reflections on racism, stereotypes, “perpetual foreigner syndrome,” the model minority myth, and internalized oppression. Course texts also explore loneliness and loss of “home,” identity confusion, generation gaps, acculturation … and the challenge of creating community and retaining culture in America. Analysis of literature in the context of the historical growth of Asian-American identities with a focus on the 20th and 21st centuries.
1501.00 - English
Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. demonstrate familiarity with and explain a critical perspective on the varied achievements in Asian-American literature;
  2. analyze literary works in relation to their historical, cultural, and political contexts including imperialism, wars, the Chinese Exclusion Act, Japanese incarceration, and the Asian-American Movement;
  3. demonstrate knowledge of the structures of the works studied and analyze them in terms of such literary components as plot, character, tone, style, and figurative uses of language (such as metaphor, irony, paradox, symbol);
  4. contrast the diversity of the works while comparing their treatment of common concepts such as "perpetual foreigner syndrome," the "model minority," damaging and divisive stereotypes and expectations related to gender and sexuality, East/West, generational and continental gaps within families, internalized oppression, and assimilation/acculturation;
  5. demonstrate understanding of the particular contributions of Asian-American writers to American history and contemporary American culture;
  6. examine the importance of colorism, constructs of race, transnationalism, globalization, gender, and sexuality as larger thematic and historical elements that pervade the texts.
Course Content:
  1. Critical reading of poetry, drama, essays, short stories, and novels by Asian-American authors with a focus on:
    1. their historical, cultural and political context, including
      1. background on U.S. and European imperialism
      2. laws targeting Asian immigration to the U.S.
      3.  U.S. wars in Asia
      4. the mass removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans
      5. violence and legal discrimination against Asian-Americans
      6. the Asian-American movement
    2. the authors' explorations of various concepts including
      1. the "perpetual foreigner" and “model minority myth"
      2. stereotypes such as the "guru," "brain," "temptress" or "lotus blossom;" 
      3. East/West bifurcations
      4. generation gaps
      5. acculturation
      6. internalized oppression
      7. gender conformity
      8. loss of homeland
      9. identity formation. 
    3. their literary components such as
      1. narration
      2. plot
      3. characterization
      4. tone
      5. setting
      6. symbol
      7. irony
      8. theme
      9. allusions
      10. descriptive and figurative language 
        1. metaphors 
        2. hyperbole
        3. analogy 
      11. For poetry, elements may include 
        1. enjambment
        2. white space
        3. rhythm
        4. rhyme
        5. alliteration
        6. onomotopaeia
    4. how constructs of race and gender and color pervade the texts.
  2. Analysis of supplemental readings giving historical, cultural, and critical contexts for the works studied. 
  3. Critical viewing of media relevant to the historical and cultural contributions Asian-American writers have made to contemporary American literature and American culture

 

Methods of Instruction:
  1. Field trips to visit museums and to attend plays, readings, and other performances, when possible
  2. Guest lectures by writers, historians, and critics, when possible
  3. Lecture/Discussion
  4. Distance Education
  5. Diagnostic Quizzes
  6. Multimedia
  7. Student presentations
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Write an essay contrasting gender roles and expectations in two stories from Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies. How do these portrayals challenge or uphold stereotypes of Asian Americans?
  2. In groups prepare a presentation analyzing the following themes: model minority myth, generation gaps and divisions within immigrant families, Hollywood and mass media depictions of Asian Americans, assimilation and aspirational whiteness. Use the readings to support your ideas.
  3. Write a short essay analyzing a poem from class readings, focusing on the use of literary elements (speaker of the poem, diction, enjambment, white space, imagery, etc.) to develop a theme.
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Quizzes
  3. Projects
  4. Papers
  5. Journal writings
  6. Final Examination
  7. Participation in small and large group discussion
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Analyze literary works in relation to their historical and cultural contexts with particular attention to identifying unstated premises and hidden assumptions
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the structures of the works studied and analyze them in terms of such literary components as plot, character, tone, style and figurative uses of language
  3. Demonstrate understanding of the particular contributions of Asian-American writers to American history and contemporary culture
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Maxine Hong Kingston (1989). Woman Warrior Vintage Books.
  2. Jessica Hagedorn (2002). Dog Eaters Theater Communications Group.
  3. Jhumpa Lahiri (1999). Interpreter of Maladies Mariner Books.
  4. John Okada (2014). NoNo Boy University of Washington Books.
  5. Thi Diem Thuy Le (2004). The Gangster We are All Looking For Anchor.
  6. Kiana Davenport (1995). Shark Dialogues Plume.
  7. Otsuka, J (2012). Buddha in the Attic Anchor.
  8. Hagedorn, J. (2004). Charlie Chan is Dead 2 (Anthology) Penguin.
  9. Wang, Weike (2017). Chemistry Vintage/ Penguin Random House.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Introduction to literary works of fiction, poetry, drama and the essay that reflect and explore the diversity of Asian-American experiences. Analysis of literature in the context of the historical growth of Asian-American identities and communities, with a focus on the 20th and 21st centuries. Topics range from "perpetual foreigner syndrome," to the Model Minority Myth and Internalized oppression, to generation gaps within families, to expressions of cultural pride.
Discipline:
English*