Reading Literature: Border-Crossings

This course investigates the multitude of borders crossed in and by literature. Reading literary works by minoritarian and diasporic writers, we will investigate the divisions between identities, histories, and geographies that these texts both illuminate and transgress. Themes we will explore include capitalism and class difference, racial and colonial violence, American empire, and queer diasporas. Just as importantly, we will analyze how these texts span the borders of different genres and media, in the form of poetry, plays, short stories, and novels. Authors include: Claudia Rankine, Ocean Vuong, Toni Morrison, and Nam Le. 3 hrs. sem.