COML 1109 - [FWS: The Rhetoric of Post-Racial America]

Fall. Not offered: 2022-2023. Next offered: 2023-2024. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

First-Year Writing Seminar.

N. Diabate.

Race is a ubiquitous yet under-discussed subject in America. Typically debates on “race” and skin color flare up around incidents such as the latest police killings of black folks or the profiling of South Asian, Arab, or Latino-looking people at security checkpoints. This course offers opportunities to write about race and skin color outside of intimidating accusations of racism. Writing is not just a classroom subject but a tool to create realities and worlds. While improving your writing skills and participating in civic debates, you will have the opportunity to scrutinize your own assumptions on physicality. We will read fiction, blogs, journal and newspaper articles and watch feature films and documentaries. Writing assignments will include reading reflections, responses, summaries, critiques, and analytical and argumentative essays.