Description
This course is a comparative study of American literature in a world context,
focusing on diverse U.S. texts and their relationship with world literature.
Students will be encouraged to investigate the definition of 'American,' and to
situate that definition in a world context, exploring literary and cultural
heritages, as well as varied and shared experiences. Study might include such
comparisons as African American literature and the literature ofAfrica and other
African diasporas, or Chicano/ a literature and Hispanic Caribbean, Spanish,
indigenous American and Latin American literature. Focused on American pluralism asmanifested in multicultural, multilingual, multiethnic, and transnational
literature, this course fosters respect for cultural diversity and understanding ofinternational relations as it develops analytical, communication, critical writing and research skills.