Tradition and the Modern World

LBST 520

Border Crossings in Literature, Film and Culture

Summer 2012, 3 Units

Wednesdays 6-8:40 pm, WPH 200

Instructor: Shilarna Stokes

Office Hours: JEF 240 (Tuesdays, 4-8 pm and by appt.)

E-mail:

Course Description:

Reading across works of fiction, non-fiction, and semi-fiction, this class will investigate the ways in which culture-makers and social thinkers over two centuries of American life have worked through the challenges posed by geographical and temporal borders, as well as borders created by concepts of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexuality and disability. How do the borders we encounter every day define our choices, make us feel safe, and dare us (or force us) to push past them? Once we cross a border, can we ever really leave it behind? How has “border-crossing” as an ethical, political and cultural act fundamentally changed alongside changing patterns in migration and the evolution of the global marketplace?

In addition to completing weekly reading assignments, each student will post weekly responses to a class Discussion Board, lead at least one class discussion, present a ten-minute “Border Autobiography,” and complete a term paper of 17-20 pages investigating a significant question raised by the readings.

Course Texts:

Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism, Verso (New Edition), 2006. 1844670864.

Anzaldúa, Gloria. Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza, Aunt Lute (3rd Edition), 2007. 1879960745.

Appiah, Kwame Anthony. Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers, Norton, 2007. 039332933.

Díaz, Junot. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Riverhead Trade (Reprint), 2008. 1594483299.

Kushner, Tony. Angels in America: Parts One and Two, Theatre Communications Group, 2003. 1559362316.

Larsen, Nella. Passing, Norton (Critical Edition), 2002. 0393974960.

Pekárková, Iva. Gimme the Money, Serpent’s Tail, 2000. 1852426586.

Whitman,Walt. Leaves of Grass, Norton (2nd Critical Edition), 2002. 0393974960.

Note: The editions listed above are suggested, not required. Also, texts marked with an asterisk (*) in the Reading Schedule below can be found in the LBST 520 Course Reader, which will be available during the first class session.

Student Responsibilities

·  Complete reading assignments as scheduled and actively participate in class meetings.

·  Make weekly postings to the Discussion Board on Blackboard.

·  Lead one (or more) in-class discussions.

·  Write a 1-2 page proposal for the final paper.

·  Give a “Border Autobiography” presentation in class.

·  Write a final (term) paper of 17-20 pages.

Term papers can take a variety of forms, though each must have a significant critical component. We will discuss these early in the semester, giving every student ample time to develop a paper that furthers his or her individual intellectual interests.

Reading Schedule

1 / May 16 / Kushner, Angels in America, Parts One and Two
2 / May 23 / Bhabha, “Dissemination: Time, Narrative, and the Margins of the Modern Nation”* Turner, “Liminality and Communitas”*
Anderson, Imagined Communities, “Introduction” and Chapters 8, 10 and 11
3 / May 30 / Boucicault, The Octoroon*
Larsen, Passing
4 / June 6 / Whitman, Leaves of Grass, “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” “Song of Myself,” “Whoever you Are,” and “Songs of Parting”
5 / June 13 / Pekárková, Gimme the Money
6 / June 20 / Appadurai, “Global Disjuncture and Cultural Difference”*
Appiah, Introduction-Chapter 5 in Cosmopolitanism
7 / June 27 / Anzaldúa, Borderlands/La Frontera.
- / July 4 / No class session due to Independence Day holiday
8 / July 11 / Marston, Maria Full of Grace & Forgiveness of Blood (films)
9 / July 18 / Díaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
10 / July 25 / Oscar Wao, continued
11 / August 1 / “Border Autobiography” Presentations
Grading
Participation / 10
Proposal, due July 11 / 10
Presentation, due August 1 / 20
Reading Responses, due weekly to Blackboard / 25
Final Paper, due August 7 / 35
Total / 100

Academic Integrity (Policy)

Students are expected to uphold USC’s academic integrity standards. Plagiarism—roughly defined as appropriating another person’s ideas, arguments, or wording and claiming them as one’s own—will be treated as a serious offense and will be reported to the appropriate university authorities. Students who base their essays or arguments on someone else’s work should make sure to cite that source properly and acknowledge their use of it. Those who are uncertain about how to do this are strongly encouraged to ask for help from the instructor and review USC’s “Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism” online.

Accommodating Students with Disabilities (Policy)

Any student requesting accommodations based on disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me as early in the semester as possible. DSP offices are located in STU 301, and are open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Their phone number is (213) 740-0776.

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