Welcome to ENGL C249: Multiethnic American Literature

This course invites you to read and think carefully about American literature written from a range of ethnic perspectives, including Native American, African American, Chicana/o, Asian American, and Palestinian American voices.

This is a reading‑ and writing‑centered course, but it is not about perfection. It is about learning how to listen closely, think deeply, and reflect honestly as you encounter voices shaped by different histories and experiences.

About the Professor

I’m Gary Enns, and I’ll be your instructor for this course. I see myself not only as your professor, but also as a reading and writing coach. My role is to guide, support, and challenge you as you work through demanding texts and develop your own thinking in response to them.

You do not need to arrive as an expert reader or writer. You do need to arrive willing to engage, ask questions, and put in steady effort.

Here is a little about myself: I am a creative writer and an avid reader, local stage actor, traveler, backpacker, and tennis player, among many other things. I received a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from California State University, Fresno. Some of my stories and poems have appeared in journals such as Granta, Crazyhorse, The Missouri Review, Southern Humanities Review, The Wayfarer, and others. For more on my travels and writing, visit Gary Enns Online, and  feel free to follow my public-facing Instagram, @Gary.S.Enns.

About the Course

ENGL C249 explores how literature both reflects and shapes cultural experience in the United States through multiple ethnic American perspectives. Rather than surveying every possible tradition, we slow down and read closely, paying attention to voice, context, identity, and belonging as they emerge across different communities and histories.

You’ll encounter short stories, memoir, poetry, essays, and documentary materials by writers from a range of ethnic traditions. Some readings will feel familiar; others may challenge or unsettle you. That discomfort is often a sign that learning is happening.

This is a zero textbook cost course. All required readings, videos, and materials are provided directly within the course site.

How the Course Works

This is a fully online, asynchronous course. Each week follows a similar rhythm:

The course moves at a steady pace, but the structure remains consistent so you always know what to expect.

What You’ll Be Asked to Do

You will spend most of your time:

The final project is a reflective synthesis, not a traditional exam. It asks you to look back across the course and consider how you have grown as a reader of ethnic American literature.

Time & Workload

This is an 8‑week compressed course, which means the pace is steady and consistent. Staying engaged each week is the best way to keep the workload manageable.

Plan to spend about 5–7 hours per week reading, writing, and participating. Some weeks will take a bit more time than others, especially when readings are dense or reflective writing takes longer.

How You’ll Succeed

Students who do well in this course tend to:

Clear, imperfect thinking is always better than polished disengagement.

What This Course Is Not

This course is not about memorizing facts, racing through material, or producing flawless essays. It is not a debate class, and it is not a test of ideology.

It is a space for thoughtful reading, reflection, and growth.

A Final Invitation

If you’re willing to read carefully, write honestly, and stay engaged, this course will ask a lot of you—but it will also give you a great deal in return.

I’m glad you’re here.