Kursinformation

"Hijab Scenes:" Arab American Literature and Culture

Arab Americans have long been labeled the “invisible minority,” considered as ‘White’ in the national census, but as ‘Other’ by many of their fellow citizens. After 9/11 and once again after the first election of Donald Trump to the Presidency, however, Arab Americans became hyper-visible and had to navigate a changed political and cultural landscape.

In this course, we will discuss contemporary Arab American literature and culture and the ways in which it engages with the United States’ self-presentation as a “nation of immigrants,” gender relations, and racism in the aftermath of 9/11, the so-called “War on Terror,” and the first Trump Presidency. Analyzing texts by Arab American writers with diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, we will explore the ways these issues are negotiated within the Arab American community and trace how cultural products address wider social and political changes in the U.S.

Readings:

Students are asked to buy and start reading the following texts BEFORE the beginning of class:

·      Mohja Khaf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf (2006)

·       Susan Muaddi Darraj, “Preparing a Face” and “Chasing Valentino” in: The Inheritance of Exile: Stories from South Philly (2007)

·      Malaka Gharib, I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir (2019)

Further Readings will be made available via the VC.

Film

·      Breaking Fast (2020)

Requirements:

• completion of the basic module (Basismodul)
• active participation (individual tasks and group work)
• term paper in English (following the Style Sheet)

only Ergänzungsmodul: oral exam (see website for more information: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/american-studies/studies/ergaenzungsmodul/ )