English 189 - Fall, 2012

Seminar in Literary Studies

Topic: African American and Latina Women

Class Information

Instructor: Martín, Desirée
CRN: 22412
Time: CANCELLED
Location: CANCELLED

Description

In this class we will study a range of 20th century texts written by African American and Latina women authors. We will pay special attention to the construction and representation of gender, and the intersection of gender, race, class and sexuality in women’s writing. We will also address questions of slavery and freedom in the U.S.; immigration, migration and exile to the United States from Latin America; the construction of race and ethnicity and various forms of “passing;” the representation of the domestic sphere; and multiple forms of women’s labor.

Grading

Short essay (3-4 pages)
Research Paper (8-10 pages)
In-class presentation
Class participation

Texts

Julia Alvarez, In the Time of the Butterflies
Sandra Cisneros, Caramelo
Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God
Nella Larsen, Passing
Toni Morrison, Beloved
Achy Obejas, Memory Mambo
Helena María Viramontes, Under the Feet of Jesus