English 135AC

Other Readings and Media

Burroughs, W.S: Naked Lunch; Chin, Frank: Donald Duk; Ellison, Ralph: Invisible Man; Kingston, M: The Woman Warrior; Pyncheon, Thomas: The Crying of Lot 49; Wright, Richard: Native Son; Burroughs, W.: Junky; a Course Reader, available at cost from Copy Central, 2560 Bancroft Way.

Description

"This course will examine images, metaphors and strategies of visibility and invisibility in narrative literature produced by members of three American cultures--African American, Asian American and European American--taking note of the differences and similarities within the cultures studied as well as the similarities and differences between them. In this examination I hope that we will all learn more about how it is that what we see is deeply affected by our cultures. Our cultures also deeply influence whom we see, as well as how we feel about being seen by anyone defined as ""other,"" or about revealing to ""others"" any information that is felt ought to remain hidden. This examination should also afford us a chance to learn the various ways in which different cultures work to make this influence invisible, and to learn how writers may use material that their own cultures attempt to hide or suppress in establishing themselves or their characters as selves. The course will consist mostly of lecture, though I?ll try to accommodate as much discussion as time and class size will allow. "