What does it mean to be an American in the 20th and 21st centuries? How have writers negotiated the conflicting demands of their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, class, and sexual orientation? In what ways have they triumphed, and how have they been challenged or forced to accommodate themselves to prevailing norms? By investigating both fiction and non-fiction, we will explore a wide range of views on the struggle to find an identity in our complex society. Supplementary handouts will illuminate the cultural, social, and/or political contexts of the assigned books. We will also also examine artistic responses to identity issues in realms outside of literature, such as in film and visual art. Students will have the opportunity to practice writing, critical thinking, and oral presentation skills, and will meet with the instructor in an individual conference to discuss their work.Writing 1 is an introduction to college-level writing, reading, and discussion. Initial writing assignments will involve students with language as a personally expressive, creative, and imaginative medium. Later assignments will bring this expressiveness to bear on practical writing tasks typical of college-level work: research, analysis,argument, etc. Reading is designed to stimulate discussion and present models for the students'own writing. Although writing and reading are the main emphases, attention will also be given to informal discussion and oral presentation.

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