Using fiction, autobiography, drama, and even some poetry and song, this course explores the connections between ethnic identity, literature, and culture in the United States. Rather than focus on one tradition, we will read works by writers with divergent racial and ethnic histories including but not limited to: African American, American Jewish, Asian American, Latino, and American Indian. These texts will provide a foundation for examining the combinations of identification and alienation that make up an "ethnic" identity. Other topics include the notion of "America" as a multi-culture, race and ideology, immigrant experiences and class, "strangeness" (as a theme, style, and context), and cultural encounters with "others." This course will also focus on speech and enable students, through practice, to develop communication skills that can be used in a variety of speaking situations (such as small and large group discussions, delivery of lectures or speeches in front of audiences, and so on). Course topics may include (but are not limited to) research and organization, writing for verbal delivery, stylistic choices, visual and presentation skills, analysis and critique, and development of self-confidence. Students must pass this course to move on to a higher level English.