GN350 Humanities Studies: The Global Roots of Our American Identity (3 cr.)

This course explores the diverse voices of our fellow Americans (both immigrant and Native), considering the promises and disappointments of American life through reading fiction, essays, memoirs, and poetry; viewing film and videos; and developing a personal narrative using digital storytelling. With the exception of Native Americans (for whom immigration was displacement), Americans have all come from somewhere else. These journeys were both voluntary, due to economic or political hardships or the promise of a different life in America, and involuntary, as slaves or servants or dispossessed peoples. Students reflect on and share what an American identity means in light of these voices.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Critique fictional and nonfictional accounts, poetry or other art forms which engage issues related to immigration and those displaced by it.
2. Reflect upon the diversity of these voices, distinguish various themes and compare where they are in agreement and where they collide.
3. Employ critical thinking skills to reflect upon in the course readings and other media.
4. Examine the global nature of American immigration and contrast the multiple ethnic, cultural and global perspectives and how those cultural roots are reflected in American life.
5. Investigate and employ hands-on research skills to construct their family’s own migration story, or interview and report on the story of a friend or neighbor.
6. Apply and experiment with writing and narrative skills in the production of a digital story.
7. Combine and synthesize written and web sources to develop and share thoughts and reflections in writing and using other communication forms.