Ethnic Studies x Literature

This LibGuide is designed to open a window onto the world of literature and literary criticism through the lens of Ethnic Studies. Ethnic Studies provides its own unique frameworks, epistemologies, and theories in the study of America’s key four racial groups: African Americans, Asian Americans, Latina/o/x Americans, and Native Americans, but for this project, it is being used as a guiding perspective. By focusing on the literary works and works of literary criticism of these four groups, students and faculty can find an accompaniment to the discipline of Ethnic Studies, and hopefully this partnership will continue to impact both Ethnic Studies and American Literature equally. 

While this LibGuide is organized in a similar way as the traditional approach to “diverse” voices in American Literature, there will continue to be growth in creating bridges and connections between the racial groups and their representative literary works with Ethnic Studies as a guide. This LibGuide will hopefully also lay a foundation for SMC English Faculty as well as other interested parties to continue questioning and reframing the creation of a literary canon that has historically excluded all but a few token works representing these four key groups. Lastly, this LibGuide will hopefully provide space for continued contribution, and, ideally, it will continue to evolve as a tool and platform for SMC Library Patrons.