This course introduces the practice of reading literature by considering
literary works that can be placed in conversation with the University of
Washington's common book for 2008-2009, Luis Urrea's The Devil's Highway.
Focus is on the concepts of "Border" and "Romance" in the novels of Carlos
Fuentes, Jovita Gonzales and Eve Raleigh, and Cormac McCarthy, as well as some
short fiction and secondary literature.

As this course is a writing-intensive W course, the primary mode of evaluation
will be in 15 pages of graded, revised, out-of-class writing, divided among
three papers. A participation component of the grade will involve shorter
assignments, both in class and to take home, geared toward enhancing your
knowledge of the texts and preparing for the papers.