In order to aid those instructors who are putting together syllabi, GAMS is in the process of compiling a list of common texts and anthologies. Currently the texts are relevant to English 1102M and English 2400 courses, but we hope to soon have listings for graduate-taught courses in other disciplines. If you have taught with a text that is not on this list and would like to supply a short review, please contact Fara Sneddon.

English 1102M Texts

New Worlds of Literature, Beaty and Hunter This anthology has a large selection of literature from all genres, and it separates the literature by theme, such as "Family" and "Crossings". However, the literature seems to be consistently political in nature. While there are some very good selections, students are left thinking that all mulitcultural literature is about oppression, race, persecution, and struggle. Literaure: An Introduction to Fiction, Drama, and Poetry, Kennedy and Gioia The Kennedy anthology is the most popular of its kind and is widely used. While it is not intended to be solely a multicultural text, it has a large amount of multicultural literature as well as all the standards. It provides excellent introductions to and definitions of topics from POV to deux et machina. While there are many multicultural literary texts in the genres of poetry and fiction, the drama pickings are a bit sparce, and students will bawlk at the cost: approx $75. American Mosaic, Rico and Mano While not "ghettoizing" American literature in terms of African American, Native American, Hispanic American, etc., this anthology contains texts that attempt to essentialize the experiences of various ethnic groups. The history component of the anthology is quite strong, but the literature component heavily favors prose; instructors may need to augment the poetry with additional readings. Complete Review

English 2400

Literature, Race, and Ethnicity: Contesting American Identities, Skerrett This anthology has a very strong collection of historical documents, artifacts, and literature spanning from the colonial to the contemporary. The essays, documents, and artifacts make this a very strong and accessible anthology. From Crevecoeur to Zitkala-Sa, from the impact of I Love Lucy to whiteness studies, the range of the anthology is immense. The problem comes, however, in that such a wide range leaves little room for the literature. While providing an excellent context, instructors will need to augment this anthology with more readings.