Representations of Migration: Homes, Hopes and Journeys

• 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

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

• 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)

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