Writing For Social Change

This course explores the many choices we face as speakers and writers when communicating across race, gender, sexuality, religion, culture and class. Drawing on works by Julia Alvarez, bell hooks, Dorothy Allison, W.E.B. Dubois, Jamaica Kincaid, Leslie Marmon Silko and others, the class explores a range of genres and voices and examines patterns of domination and subordination in diverse cultural contexts. Writing assignments include personal narrative, literary analysis, and a research based essay or multi media project. Students will respond to one another’s work in writing workshops, and engage in service learning and informal reflection on service 1-2 hours a week.