English 262 - Fall, 2011

American Literature after 1914

Class Information

Instructor: Martín, Desirée
CRN: 62617
Time: M 12:10-3:00
Location: 120 Voorhies
Breadth: Later American
Focus: ID, Interdiscipline, Other National

Description

California(s) Cultures: Region, Nation, Borders

This course is inspired by the Davis Humanities Institute’s “California Cultures Intiative,” and aims to study the multiple cultures and convergences of the California(s) as a region which cannot be understood without thinking about its relation to transnational, bordered, and national spaces and temporalities. In particular, we will examine the circuits of migration, circulation, and smuggling of bodies and commodities, both “legal” and illicit, in order to interrogate the intersection of race, technology, citizenship, and geographies.





Grading

Will be based on an in-class oral presentation, regular class participation, and a 15-20 pg. research paper.

Texts

Women on the Road (Arrieras somos), Conde, Rosina
Slouching Towards Bethlehem, Didion, Joan
Maquilapolis: City of Factories (documentary, 2006), Funari, Vicky and Sergio de la Torre
If He Hollers Let Him Go, Himes, Chester
The Octopus, Norris, Frank
The Squatter and the Don, Ruiz de Burton, Maria Amparo
Their Dogs Came With Them, Viramontes, Helena Maria
Tropic of Orange, Yamashita, Karen Tei
Course Reader or Smartsite Downloads
Sleep Dealer (film, 2008), Rivera, Alex