(no subject)
This is a bit feeble, but (I hope) not actively annoying.
I'll be teaching a course on sexuality and narrative in the Spring. Last time I taught something similar, about five years ago, the reading list came out very white. This was in part because I was a less experienced teacher, on a course without much prestige*, and in a dodgy subconscious racist calculation relying on Big Names to provide clout. Hence, many white British chaps.
Also, last time it was pretty much about same-sex desire. Without losing that aspect, I want to broaden the idea of sexuality out and potentially include reproduction, survivor stories, and intersections of sex and communities/nationalisms/religions.
So, I want fiction (or autobiography, or interesting non-fiction) by authors who aren't white, or who aren't British or American, on sexuality/narrative topics. Probably 20th Century, would consider 19th (I've got to check the course rubric).
(Also, science fiction! That's not really related to the above point, but I really do like Science Fiction.)
I was hoping for some personal recommendations. I promise I am also doing the leg work myself, but there's nothing like a nudge from a knowledgeable source. (Also, the recent RaceFail debates have produced some brilliant SF stuff.)
(To give a quick example, I was wondering about using Octavia Butler's short story 'Bloodchild' to discuss pregnancy and coming of age.)
Thanks in advance. Have a good weekend.
*It's sometimes assumed to be entirely made up of erotica, and it's often assumed that porn isn't proper literature, isn't well written and can't be usefully analysed. There will be erotic writing on the course, and it'll be as awesome as the other texts.
I'll be teaching a course on sexuality and narrative in the Spring. Last time I taught something similar, about five years ago, the reading list came out very white. This was in part because I was a less experienced teacher, on a course without much prestige*, and in a dodgy subconscious racist calculation relying on Big Names to provide clout. Hence, many white British chaps.
Also, last time it was pretty much about same-sex desire. Without losing that aspect, I want to broaden the idea of sexuality out and potentially include reproduction, survivor stories, and intersections of sex and communities/nationalisms/religions.
So, I want fiction (or autobiography, or interesting non-fiction) by authors who aren't white, or who aren't British or American, on sexuality/narrative topics. Probably 20th Century, would consider 19th (I've got to check the course rubric).
(Also, science fiction! That's not really related to the above point, but I really do like Science Fiction.)
I was hoping for some personal recommendations. I promise I am also doing the leg work myself, but there's nothing like a nudge from a knowledgeable source. (Also, the recent RaceFail debates have produced some brilliant SF stuff.)
(To give a quick example, I was wondering about using Octavia Butler's short story 'Bloodchild' to discuss pregnancy and coming of age.)
Thanks in advance. Have a good weekend.
*It's sometimes assumed to be entirely made up of erotica, and it's often assumed that porn isn't proper literature, isn't well written and can't be usefully analysed. There will be erotic writing on the course, and it'll be as awesome as the other texts.