Weekly Assignment 1 (7)
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School
University of California, Los Angeles *
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Course
MISC
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
Pages
2
Uploaded by UltraDonkeyMaster46
**Assignment Title: Cultural Identity and Diaspora in Contemporary Literature**
**Objective:** To analyze and compare how contemporary authors explore issues of cultural
identity and diaspora in their works of fiction, examining how characters navigate the
complexities of belonging, cultural heritage, and displacement.
**Instructions:**
1. **Choose Two Works Addressing Cultural Identity:**
- Select two contemporary works of fiction that delve into themes of cultural identity and
diaspora. Examples include "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri, "Americanah" by Chimamanda
Ngozi Adichie, "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan, or works of your choice.
2. **Introduction to Cultural Identity and Diaspora:**
- Provide an introduction to the concepts of cultural identity and diaspora in literature. Discuss
how contemporary authors use fiction to explore the experiences of characters navigating
multiple cultural influences and the impact of displacement.
3. **Analysis of Characters' Cultural Journeys:**
- Analyze how each author portrays characters' journeys in navigating their cultural identity.
Discuss how characters grapple with questions of belonging, assimilation, and the preservation
of cultural heritage.
4. **Exploration of Diasporic Themes:**
- Focus on the exploration of diasporic themes within the narratives. Discuss how characters
negotiate the challenges of being part of a diaspora, including issues of cultural dislocation,
nostalgia, and the search for a sense of home.
5. **Cultural Clashes and Connections:**
- Examine instances of cultural clashes and connections within the works. Discuss how
characters navigate relationships with others, both within and outside their cultural communities,
and how these interactions shape their identity.
6. **Generational Perspectives:**
- Explore generational perspectives on cultural identity within the narratives. Discuss how
different generations within families approach questions of cultural heritage, assimilation, and
the preservation of traditions.
7. **Comparative Analysis of Cultural Exploration:**
- Compare the exploration of cultural identity and diaspora in the two works. Discuss
similarities and differences in how the authors approach and interpret the complexities of cultural
experiences.
8. **Relevance to Contemporary Cultural Issues:**
- Reflect on the relevance of the cultural themes presented in the works to contemporary
cultural issues. Discuss whether the issues explored by the authors remain pertinent in today's
world.
**Assessment Criteria:**
- Clear identification and explanation of cultural identity and diaspora in literature.
- Thorough analysis of the portrayal of characters' cultural journeys and diasporic themes in the
selected works.
- Insightful exploration of cultural clashes and connections, as well as generational perspectives.
- Comprehensive comparison of the exploration of cultural identity in the two works.
- Consideration of the relevance of cultural themes to contemporary cultural issues.
- Thoughtful reflection on the impact of cultural identity and diaspora on the characters and
narratives.
**Submission Details:**
- Submit your assignment in the agreed format to the instructor by the specified deadline.
Feel free to reach out to the instructor if you have any questions or need guidance as you work
on the assignment.
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