ENGL 23800 Into the Promised Land: Race and Ethnicity in American Literature
GE-Human Culture: Literature/Human Diversity Why have generations of immigrants referred to the United States as the Promised Land? What was promised? Who promised it? How have Americans’ racial and ethnic identities affected their access to the promises of America? We will look for answers to these questions by reading texts from a variety of ethnic perspectives as we examine the historical events that shaped them. We begin with an examination of slavery’s impact on American history and literature, move to immigration’s role in shaping ethnic literature, and end with an analysis of cultural diversity. Our classes will also include documentary films about race and ethnicity in America.
Credits
3