In this course, we will examine the central theme of identity in the poetry, fiction, drama, and film of contemporary Atlantic Canada. We will study a diverse range of primary course texts, addressing key questions concerning personal and collective identities as they relate to race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, and region. Region will indeed play a significant role in our readings of these texts – from the representation of racism and violence in Halifax-based poet El Jones's spoken word pieces and the social tensions of 1940s Fredericton in George Elliott Clarke's novel George & Rue to Maritime mental health care in Lynn Coady's Strange Heaven and the (figurative and literal) journey of two Two-Spirit brothers in Bretton Hannam's short film Wildfire. Our central readings of authors from the Maritimes and Newfoundland will be guided by secondary sources about issues related to Atlantic-Canadian histories and identities.

NOTE: Open to ENGL Honours Students.