Multi-Ethnic American Lit
Multi-Ethnic American Literature This course introduces multi-ethnic literature by studying the relationship between racial formation and literary representation. How is race constituted and what role does literature play in the process? How are cultural representations of racialized difference formed in relation to its historical, material, and social conditions? We will critically analyze the nested issues of labour, law, and migration that have shaped Black, Indigenous, and Asian presence within North America. From there, we explore the themes of assimilation, multiculturalism, diaspora, and American empire in order to track the trajectory of minoritarian literature throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Authors may include: Maxine Hong Kingston, Tomson Highway, Toni Morrison, and Viet Nguyen.
Multi-Ethnic American Literature This course introduces multi-ethnic literature by studying the relationship between racial formation and literary representation. How is race constituted and what role does literature play in the process? How are cultural representations of racialized difference formed in relation to its historical, material, and social conditions? We will critically analyze the nested issues of labour, law, and migration that have shaped Black, Indigenous, and Asian presence within North America. From there, we explore the themes of assimilation, multiculturalism, diaspora, an …Read more
This class' curriculum is actually quite interesting. We read books I'd never heard of before and discussed the history of ethnic groups in the US in more depth than I'd done before in an English class. But the professor's style of teaching makes it difficult to enjoy learning. Everything is graded on a five point scale with absolutely no feedback given on assignments. In addition to fictional texts, there are historical critical readings which help sometimes, but mostly are abstract concepts that don't easily lend themselves to the literature. The prof is clearly dedicated to the subject, and the class is interesting, but working with the prof is so difficult
This class' curriculum is actually quite interesting. We read books I'd never heard of before and discussed the history of ethnic groups in the US in more depth than I'd done before in an English class. But the professor's style of teaching makes it difficult to enjoy learning. Everything is graded on a five point scale with absolute …Read more
I had the displeasure of having this course as a distribution requirement. It was such a sour, unpleasant, miserable experience that I dropped the course. I tried to give it a fair shot (Late-drop), but her disregard for student well-being, endless (disproportionate) readings, and unfair grading/attendance policies created an uncomfortable, draining, miserable learning environment. If you can avoid it, PLEASE don't take this course.
I had the displeasure of having this course as a distribution requirement. It was such a sour, unpleasant, miserable experience that I dropped the course. I tried to give it a fair shot (Late-drop), but her disregard for student well-being, endless (disproportionate) readings, and unfair grading/attendance policies created an uncomfo …Read more
I really thought I would like this class, and I really wanted to. However, I found the language of discussions unnecessarily elitist and inaccessible. I would understand harsh grading if it was accompanied with feedback, but the feedback was limited and hard to understand. Additionally, some of the readings perpetuated ideas of sexual violence and discrimination that I did not feel we engaged with as a class enough.
I really thought I would like this class, and I really wanted to. However, I found the language of discussions unnecessarily elitist and inaccessible. I would understand harsh grading if it was accompanied with feedback, but the feedback was limited and hard to understand. Additionally, some of the readings perpetuated ideas of sexua …Read more
Strict attendance policy with no more than two allowed missed classes, any additional absences result in an automatic No Credit for the course. No technology are allowed and all assignments must be submitted as hard copies. There are no opportunities to make up reading quizzes, and late work is not accepted under any circumstances. She does not negotiate grades and does not provide detailed justifications for them.
Strict attendance policy with no more than two allowed missed classes, any additional absences result in an automatic No Credit for the course. No technology are allowed and all assignments must be submitted as hard copies. There are no opportunities to make up reading quizzes, and late work is not accepted under any circumstances. S …Read more
This course was easily the most valuable class I have taken at Middlebury so far. The readings were the best selected I have ever read and Professor Wang obviously cares very deeply about the variety of issues raised in her class. However, this is not the experience for the majority of her students. While I do worry she receives an unreasonably high level of criticism as one of the few WOC professors on this campus, I know multiple people with very bad experiences with her in terms of being flexible with assignments and participation. On the other hand, the workload isn't huge, especially since the material is extremely interesting.
This course was easily the most valuable class I have taken at Middlebury so far. The readings were the best selected I have ever read and Professor Wang obviously cares very deeply about the variety of issues raised in her class. However, this is not the experience for the majority of her students. While I do worry she receives an u …Read more