Have each section’s reading completed by the due dates marked in parentheses. Expect quizzes, discussions and writing assignments.

Textbook: The Bedford Reader (Eds. Kennedy, Kennedy and Aaron)

A. Women in Dialogue (Fri. 4/4)

• Alice Walker, “Everyday Use” (267)
• Fatema Mernissi, “Size 6: The Western Women’s Harem” (252)
• Jessica Cohen, “Grade A: The Market for a Yale Women’s Eggs” (114)
• Jamaica Kincaid, “Girl” (367)
• Sandra Cisneros, “Only Daughter” (584)

B. Controversial Topics and Current Events (Mon. 4/7)

• Anna Quindlen, “Homeless” (198)
• Brent Staples, “Black Men and Public Space” (208)
• Roger Rosenblatt, “We Are Free to Be You, Me, Stupid, and Dead” (215)
• Kathy Pollitt, “What’s Wrong with Gay Marriage?” (548)
• Charles Colson, “Gay ‘Marriage’: Societal Suicide” (554)
• Edwidge Danticat, “Not Your Homeland” (572)

C. Race, Culture and Language (Wed. 4/9)

• Maya Angelou, “Champion of the World” (93)
• Amy Tan, “Fish Cheeks” (99)
• Gloria Naylor, “The Meanings of a Word” (488)
• Christine Leong, “Being a Chink” (494)
• Dogoberto Glib, “Pride” (505)

D. Dark Humor and Satire (Fri. 4/11)

• Shirley Jackson: “The Lottery” (123)
• Sarah Vowell, “Shooting Dad”(154)
• Robert Benchley, “My Face” (170)
• Jessica Mitford, “Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain” (308)