Cross-listed: American Studies, MES

The approach of this course is comparative in two respects. First, we compare the historical experiences of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Asian Indian, and Southeast Asian immigrants to the United States, examining immigration patterns, U.S.-Asian relations, location in the labor market, the role of women, political organization, and other aspects of the experience. Second, we compare various theoretical frameworks by which experiences of specific Asian American groups have been understood. The objective of the course is not only to introduce the Asian experiences, but also to foster critical thought about the interpretation and meaning of the unfolding history of Asians in America.

Though Marxism has been one of the most consequential doctrines of modern history, it is now in grave crisis and has been written off by many scholars. This course explores the essentials of Marxism, evaluates its various interpretations, and assesses its future in light of recent capitalist victories. We will discuss the basic writings of Marx and the key texts of other Marxist thinkers, such as Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Gramsci, and Marcuse. Enrollment is limited to twenty-five students; the course is open to first-year students.

Cross-listed: American Studies, MES

of related interest: Gender Studies

This course will examine how ethnic Americans negotiate their identity in the neocolonoial U.S. context. Critical theories on deconstruction, marginality, and cultural production will be examined to see how they can inform the process of identification. In addition to studying the works of writers, theoreticians, artists of various ethnicities involved in cultural projection, you will also be encouraged to create your own texts/narratives with self-critical awareness.

This course is constructed from the premise that "spirit" is a basic part of human existence, which manifests itself in various forms, including religion, politics, and art. We will study the way spirit is grounded in human nature, as well as some of its manifestations, paying particular attention to spiritual movements and intentional communities in the contemporary world, and to the way that spirituality enters into revolution as well as reaction. The course may be said to address the following proposition: that spirit is to a degree created in history, while history is to a degree the unfolding of the human spirit. For juniors and seniors, or with permission of the instructor.