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LIB242

Representations of Migration: Homes, Hopes and Journeys

Movement has been a consistent and essential feature of the human condition, but is often represented in the media as extraordinary and for “others”. This prevents us engaging with the poetics and politics of movement. We will study migration and displacement in literature, media and theory. We will discuss challenges, causes and representations of many kinds of movement, including voluntary and forced migrations, vacations and journeys “home”. Getting to grips with the concepts of exile, displacement and migration, we will reflect on readings, case studies and our own experiences.

Note: There are required readings for this course. Please see “Course Outline” and “Learning Materials.”

A $50 discount will be applied automatically for adults 55+.

This course will be offered online Thursdays, Oct 24 - Nov 28, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Overview

Location: Online
Format: Self-paced with weekly virtual class
Duration: 6 weeks
Tuition: $180
Can be applied to:
Liberal Arts for 55+ Certificate

Upcoming Offerings

Start Date
Schedule
Location
Instructor
Cost
Seats Available
Action
Start DateThu, Oct 24, 2024
Schedule
  • Thu, Oct 24, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
  • Thu, Oct 31, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
  • Thu, Nov 7, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
  • Thu, Nov 14, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
  • Thu, Nov 21, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
  • Thu, Nov 28, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
LocationOnline
InstructorHande Gurses
Cost$180.00
Seats Available4
ActionRegister

Course outline

  • Week 1: Conceptual reckonings
    We start by unpacking some of the most frequently used terms in relation to migration to understand the complexities and nuances. Thomas Nail provides a historical overview of the migrant. Vinh Nguyen and Hannah Arendt, writing from different time periods and personal experiences, address the multiple layers of tensions that prevail for the figure of the migrant.
    Thomas Nail, “Introduction” from The Figure of the Migrant
    Vinh Nguyen, “Refugeetude: When Does a Refugee Stop Being a Refugee?”
    Hannah Arendt, “We the Refugees”
  • Week 2: Belonging
    We’ll focus on how the experience of migration define one’s sense of belonging. Ranajit Guha eloquently brings together the personal with the communal and focuses on time as the foundation of a nation. Both Edward Said and Salman Rushdie explore the impact of the experience of displacement on literature. What are the literary forms that best fit the experience of migration? In what ways does migration impact the creativity of the author?
    Ranajit Guha, “The Migrant’s Time”
    Edward Said, “Reflections on Exile”
    Salman Rushdie, “Imaginary Homelands"
  • Week 3: Crossing borders
    How does the experience of migration figure in different literary genres? What kind of creative responses does it elicit? Can the aesthetic have an impact on the political? This week’s readings demonstrate the ways in which the border figures in literature.
    Edwidge Danticat, “Without Inspection”
    Teju Cole, “What Ancient Greek Tragedies Can Teach Us About Grief”
    Mohsin Hamid, Exit West (excerpt)
    Craig Santos Perez, “Teething Borders”
  • Week 4: Forming identities
    This week’s focus is on the personal narratives that dive deep into what remains behind the scenes in the mainstream representations of migration. The examples we read will focus on the representations and struggles of distinct Asian identities.
    Viet Thanh Nguyen, “On Being a Refugee, an American – and a Human Being”
    Cathy Park Hong, Minor Feelings (excerpt)
    Hua Hsu, Stay True (excerpt)
  • Week 5: Unheard voices
    How does one tell the story of the other? Looking at texts that aim to give voice to those who remain unheard, we will discuss the impact of these narratives for the storyteller as well as for the reader.
    Amy Tan, “Mother Tongue”
    Valeria Luiselli, Tell Me How It Ends (excerpt)
    Shailja Patel, Migritude (excerpt)
  • Week 6: Guests and Hosts
    With narratives that address the violence of different forms of colonialism, we will discuss what it means to be a visitor and a host. How do the different forms and contexts of travelling across borders, cultures and languages impact one’s identity and engagement with the world?
    Albert Camus, “The Guest”
    Jamaica Kincaid, A Small Place (excerpt)
    Jhumpa Lahiri, “Interpreter of Maladies”
    C.P. Cavafy, Ithaka

What you will learn

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

  • Identify critical terminology relating to literary genres, migration and cultural critical theory
  • Practice critical, creative and analytical thinking through close reading of examples from world literature
  • Develop an understanding of the relevance and necessity of literature in addressing some of the most crucial contemporary issues
  • Create and apply skills for developing and defending an argument

How you will learn

  • Participation in Zoom seminars
  • Participation in written discussions with other students
  • Readings and other supplementary resources on Canvas
  • Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)

Learning Materials

No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.

Technical Requirements

For online courses, you will need a computer with audio and microphone that is connected to the internet. Canvas is the online system that will be used for the course. For more information and online support, visit Online Learning.

To get the most out of this online course, you should be comfortable with:

  • Using everyday software such as browsers, email and social media
  • Navigating a website by clicking on links and finding pages in a menu
  • Downloading and opening PDF documents
  • Posting, replying and uploading images to a discussion board
  • Participating in Zoom Meetings

New to Zoom Meetings? A few days before the course starts, we’ll host a virtual drop-in time on Zoom so you can check your Zoom access and test your computer’s camera, microphone and speakers.