AMST 302(F) The United States and the Pacific (Junior Seminar)
The history and culture of the United States cannot be thought of separately from those of Asia and the Pacific. From the "City on the Hill" to Manifest Destiny and beyond, the momentum of expansion into the Pacific has catalyzed culture and politics in the U.S. This course examines the intertwined histories of the U.S. and the Pacific, focusing on regions, nations, and empires. We will explore the ways that these regions constituted each other over the course of their shared history, with an aim towards understanding the history of the U.S. as part of a larger history of the world. Through economic, diplomatic, military, cultural, and community histories, we will consider encounters and contestations between the U.S. and the Pacific, to explore the shifting, contradictory emergence of ideas and conceptions of "America."
Format: seminar/discussion. Evaluation will be based on class participation, weekly response papers, a cumulative review essay (5-7 pages), and a final paper (10-15 pages).
No prerequisites. Expected enrollment: 10. Preference will be given to American Studies majors.
Hour: VIMALASSERY

AMST 302 Asian American Writing and the Visual Arts (Same as English 388) (Junior Seminar) (Not offered 2008-2009; to be offered 2009-2010) (D)
This course examines the interaction of Asian American writing and the visual arts in a range of works: graphic novels by Henry Kiyama, Mine Okubo, and Adrian Tomine; art criticism by John Yau; collaborative projects between poets and visual artists (e.g., Mei-mei Berssenbrugge and Kiki Smith, John Yau and Thomas Nozkowski); ekphrastic poetry; poetry "inspired by" paintings; video work (Theresa H. Cha); new digital poetry and poetics (by Brian Kim Stefans).
Format: seminar. Requirements: two papers, short assignments, class participation.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 19). Preference given to American Studies majors.
WANG