Identity and Theory in American Literatu

In this course, we will explore a handful of contemporary literary texts written by marginalized authors through the lens of fundamental theoretical concepts in the Humanities. Over the course of the semester, we will ask: how does identity animate American literary texts, both when explicitly named and dealt with by marginalized authors, or unnamed and neutralized by majority group authors who do not tackle questions of identity? We will probe the multifaceted ways in which identity is visible and invisible in contemporary American literature, and how authors of color, queer and trans authors, and disabled authors have faced off with canonization itself. The class will engage fundamental scholarship on race, gender, disability, class, and culture in order to better understand how identity is used as a literary tool, both as it upholds societal norms and/or challenges it. Readings will likely include theoretical works by authors such as Judith Butler and Kevin Quashie, and literary works by authors such as James Baldwin and Eli Clare.