Whose (post)modernism? This section of ENGL213 will focus on novels, short stories and poetry to ask how the aesthetic and intellectual claims of modernism and postmodernism have affected U.S. literary production. In equal measure, we will ask how these examples of literary production affect our understanding of modernism and postmodernism as codifying reading practices. Put differently, as we explore how these texts engage with, calcify, and/or challenge modernist and postmodernist concerns, we will also ask how these texts read ‘modernity’ and/or ‘postmodernity’. While we think about the formal and thematic aspects of these works, be prepared to delve into some challenging discussions about how these texts articulate perspectives of capitalism, nation, citizenship, race, class and sex. By the conclusion, we will posit the question that announces this course in order to think about the possibilities and limitations of these “ –isms” and whom claims of modernity and postmodernity benefit and ignore. Other questions we may consider include: Is ‘modernisms’ a more apt term to describe the different literary strands that have emerged over the last century? What are the stakes of adopting such a term? Is the ‘post’ a dubious or salient qualifier? What does one gain by focusing on this literature in relation to other examples of cultural production?
In addition to the novels listed below, a require course packet will include selections by Walt Whitman, John dos Passos, Gertrude Stein, H.D., William Carlos Williams, Langston Hughes, Robert Creeley, Norman Mailer, Donald Barthelme, Toni Morrison, Jessica Hagedorn and Paul Beatty

Texts:

• James Wheldon Johnson. Autobiography of an Ex-colored Man. [0-14-018402-3]
• William Faulkner. As I Lay Dying. [0-679-73225]
• Jack Kerouac. On the Road. [0142437255]
• John Okada. No-No Boy. [0295955252]
• Gayl Jones. Corrigedora. [0-8070-6315-0]

Course Packet including short stories, poetry and supplementary articles (will be available for purchase at Ave Copy)