An introduction to literary study that helps students develop the skills necessary for college-level reading, writing, research and critical thinking. Through exposure to a variety of literary forms and genres, historical periods and critical approaches, students are taught how to read closely, argue effectively and develop a strong writing voice. The course is reading and writing intensive and organized around weekly assignments. There are no waivers for LAS-E101 except for transfer students who have taken an equivalent college course.

First-year Students are pre-registered for this course by the department.

Sophomore, Junior, Senior or Transfer Students register into designated section(s).

Major Requirement | BFA

An introduction to literary study that helps students develop the skills necessary for college-level reading, writing, research and critical thinking. Through exposure to a variety of literary forms and genres, historical periods and critical approaches, students are taught how to read closely, argue effectively and develop a strong writing voice. The course is reading and writing intensive and organized around weekly assignments. There are no waivers for LAS-E101 except for transfer students who have taken an equivalent college course.

First-year Students are pre-registered for this course by the department.

Sophomore, Junior, Senior or Transfer Students register into designated section(s).

Major Requirement | BFA

Affects describe the palpable manifestations of feeling--the thoughts, senses, expressions, gestures, and actions that both precede and respond to the gravity of emotions. In this course, we will question the affects that emerge within Asian American literature and film, especially those born from feelings of vengefulness, regret, filial love, and duty. To what degree are these affects unique to Asian American contexts? What narrative conventions and histories produce these affects and how might we chart an ever more expansive tapestry of feeling Asian in America?

Elective

In this course, students will engage with transnational narratives about Asian American women, organized around the figures of the self-sacrificial martyr, avenger, betrayer, and loyalist. The course contextualizes these figures within the historical conditions that have affected transnational Aaian American diasporas since the 1940’s. In particular, students will learn how to analyze prominent narratives of sacrifice, vengeance, loyalty, and deceit to illuminate the kinds of desires and actions that have been (un)imaginable for women at specific points in history. In addition to the above goals, students will consider how the categories of “Asian” and “Asian American” women constitute shifting anchors of identification and belonging by virtue of their transnational characteristics. Students can expect to read heavily across historical, theoretical, literary criticism alongside novels, short stories, film, and graphic novels. The course comes with a content warning as it will grapple with some major events of historical trauma and sexual violence.

Elective