Central to this course is the question of the way in which ethnicity has been 'invented' and 're-invented' in American fictional and auto/biographical writings throughout the twentieth century. As American society moves into an era of increasing ethnic diversity, the issues of ethnic boundaries and identities become more complex and problematic. This course seeks to examine how fictional and non-fictional writings help the making of new ethnic identities, how the old ones have been maintained, re-produced and transformed as well as what American identity is nowadays.

The analysis of the works discussed will rely on some of the contemporary theories of ethnicity and literature and will discuss a wide variety of 20th-century American writers coming from different narrative and cultural traditions. A particular focus will be placed on the relationship 'self' - 'other', on the cultural stereotypes involved in the process as well as on the role of language as part of the identity formation processes in the USA.

Students are expected to read and actively discuss the texts. All reports, projects and final papers must be submitted on the stated due dates unless prior arrangements have been made. A late paper, as well as a paper that contains excessive errors or plagiarism, will either lead to a lowering of the final grade or to a refusal to accept the paper. Plagiarism will result in a failing grade on a paper and a possible failure in the course.