"Whiteness" is a course geared toward exploring the historical and performative fictive constructions of "whiteness." We will begin by identifying aspects of "whiteness" supposedly unique to "white people," which have been often used to claim superiority and to establish a "white" standard. The course will be organized around three units. As an introduction, Unit One will focus on examples of institutionalization of white supremacy through legal and social regulations from the seventeenth century to present day (Northern Europe as "white"; Southern Europe as "dark"; the exclusion of non-white people from citizenship, wealth, and power). Unit Two will concentrate on American literary and dramatic examples of texts supportive and critical of "whiteness" as a desirable trait (Metamora: Last of the Wampanoags!, 1829; works by Octavia Butler, Danzy Senna). Unit Three will look to contemporary popular culture and the performances of "whiteness," particularly film and television (Mi Vida Loca, Nurse Betty, Kill Bill, American Family). The course Whiteness is intended to prime students in the discourses of critical multicultural studies. It also satisfies the junior seminar requirement for American Studies Program majors. Format: discussion. Students are responsible for participating in-class and Blackboard discussions, and two short (7-10 page papers). Prerequisites: American Studies 201. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 19). Junior American Studies Program majors given preference; all others will be admitted at the discretion of the instructor.