ENGL 847 - The Literature and Culture of Adoption in 20th Century America

Institution:

Trinity College

Subject:

Description:

America's fascination with adoption has become a public phenomenon in recent years. From Rosie O'Donnell to the growing number of Chinese baby girls adopted by Americans to the "Internet Twins"--essentially sold by an adoption broker over the Internet--adoption requires us to reconsider cultural attitudes toward family. In addition, adoption in American literature invokes broader questions of alienation, identity conflict, and self-fashioning. In this course, we will examine representations of adoption in a variety of fictional and autobiographical texts spanning the century, including Charles Chesnutt's THE QUARRY, William Faulkner's LIGHT IN AUGUST, Betty Jean Litton's TWICE BORN, and Barbara Kingsolver's PIGS IN HEAVEN. In addition, we will pay close attention to the social and historical contexts out of which these adoptions narratives emerge. 1.00 units, Lecture

Credits:

1.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.Trincoll.edu

Phone Number:

(860) 297-2000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.