Although we sometimes think only of modern-day authors like Maxine Hong Kingston or Amy Tan when we think of Asian American literature, in fact Asian Americans have published writings in English since at least 1887. In this course, we will read selected Asian American poetry, autobiographies, novels, short stories, and plays produced from the late nineteenth century until the present. We will consider how works engage with issues that have always concerned Asian Americans, such as identity development and anti-Asian racism. Also, we will pay attention to how works speak to concerns specific to their period, such as the immigration exclusion acts of the 1880s, the proletarian movement of the 1930s, and the decolonization of South Asian and Southeast Asian countries since the 1940s. At all times, we will attend closely to matters of language and form. The reading list will probably include the following::

• Sui Sin Far. Mrs. Spring Fragrance and Other Writings
• Kiyama, Henry. The Four Immigrants Manga
• Bulosan, Carlos. On Becoming Filipino
• Kim, Ronyoung. Clay Walls
• Okada, John. No-No Boy
• Kingston, Maxine Hong. The Woman Warrior
• Hwang, David Henry. M. Butterfly
• Lahiri, Jhumpa. Interpreter of Maladies
• Tran, Truong. Placing the Accents
• Son, Diana. Stop Kiss

I will lecture often but briefly. Discussion is expected. Written work will include participation in an e-mail discussion group, two analytical essays (5-7 pages), and a final examination.