This writing-intensive course focuses on the family’s importance as an institution and an ideal at the heart of debates about American identity and national belonging. We will explore how diverse kinds of families have subverted, contested, and changed the concept of “family” in the United States over time. The theme of secrecy will shape our inquiry into what kinds of information and knowledge are hidden from, or concealed by, families as they navigate their relationship to the state and attempt to impart understanding of their identities and experiences to future generations. For our culminating project, students will collaborate with archivists at the Clements Library to curate an exhibit on the theme of “Family Secrets” using the library’s special collections.
Intended Audience:
First-year students; students who need to meet the FYWR.