Description: An introduction to representative ethnic California writers from 1900 to the present.. Course includes an examination of the theoretical, regional, multicultural, and multiethnic foundations of California literature.
Methodologically, we engage in close readings of texts, establishing relationships between the writer's means and materials, attending to relations between a writer's language and theme, and exploring, particularly, relationships between a writer's use of metaphor, symbol, image, plot, characterization, and narratorial voice and the regional, historical, cultural, political, and social context out of which that usage arises.
Required Texts
C. Buckely and Gary Young eds. The Geography of Home: California Poetry of Place (GH)
Chitra B. Divakaruni Arranged Marriage
Steven Gilbar California Shorts (CS)
Robert Hass Field Guide
Maxime Hong-Kingston ChinaMen
Cynthia Kadohata In the Heart of the Valley of Love
Walter Mosley Devil in a Blue Dress
Luis Rodriquez Always Running
Selected Readings on Reserve (available second week of class) (OR)
Mike Davis City of Quartz
Philip Fradkin Seven States of California
Gerald Haslam The Other California: The Great Central Valley in Life and Letters
Oral Presentation, Response Papers, Midterm #1, Midterm #2, Final, Term Paper 8-10 pages
Oral Presentation 5%
Response Papers 15%
Midterm #1 15%
Midterm #2 15%
Final 20%
8-10 Term paper 30%
Total 100%
2 points of the final course grade will be deducted for each day a paper or assignment is late. (30%) Thirty percent of the course grade will be deducted for a missing assignment.
All papers must be typed. Papers will be evaluated on the basis of the competence of the writing, the intelligence and clarity of the argument, and the finish and polish of the work's presentation. Oral presentations will be evaluated on the thoroughness of the analysis and the conciseness and clarity of the presentation.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. 5 points will be deducted from the course grade for each unexcused absence in excess of five (5).
Schedule of Readings and Discussions
California Cultural Studies Homepage