History is a selective narrative that leaves silences and gaps in its wake. What does it mean to speak about these silences—to encounter pasts that may never be fully known? How does one attempt to recover lost histories (should one attempt at all?), and what implications do such endeavors have?
This class explores these questions through works of literature, film, and art that focus on the histories of imperialism and colonialism in Asia. Colonial rule—Japanese, British, French, American, among others—and postcolonial national formations in Asia have incurred immense historical losses of people, memories, and stories. Our interdisciplinary discussions will draw upon efforts in history, political science, philosophy, psychology, and literary criticism to address the problems of such historical loss. We will build a critical foundation to read creative works that engage imaginatively with forgotten historical pasts, or “what could have been.” Students will develop an understanding of central issues in postcolonial studies, diaspora studies, and Asian/American studies, and learn to apply this knowledge in literary and cultural analysis. Students will also think critically about questions such as: Who and what are forgotten in the construction of historical narratives? How do writers and artists use their craft to reimagine these scenes of loss, and why? What new connections can cultural texts forge across national borders and between communities? We will consider such questions through works by Chang-rae Lee, Monique Truong, Karen Yamashita, Ruth Ozeki, Amitav Ghosh, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Bhanu Kapil, among others.
Assignments will include short response papers, a creative writing assignment that integrates archival explorations, and a final research paper.