To strengthen the objective of enhancing students' knowledge of great diversity of culture, race, and gender and broadening their international perspective, this seminar will engage students in the discussion of aesthetic standard in the western as well as eastern society and the development of keen insight into gender oppression and racial disparity. With the in-depth knowledge regarding such notions, students will be able to incorporate the course content and their critical thinking into the final research paper. The ultimate aim is to bring more attention to the racial, social and cultural effects of the white aesthetic standard on African-American women in Toni Morrison’s literary works and the reality.

To strengthen the objective of enhancing students' knowledge of great diversity of culture, race, and gender and broadening their international perspective, this seminar will engage students in the discussion of aesthetic standard in the western as well as eastern society and the development of keen insight into gender oppression and racial disparity. With the in-depth knowledge regarding such notions, students will be able to incorporate the course content and The ultimate aim is to bring more attention to the racial, social and cultural effects of the white aesthetic standard on African-American women in Toni Morrison’s literature works and the reality.

Under historical, social and cultural impact, the white stand of beauty has been accepted and recognized as the sole beauty standard in not only western but also eastern society. Thus, for the purpose of comprehending beauty in its essence, this seminar aims to dismantle such notion by examining the relationship between race and beauty and analyzing the African-American female characters closely in the select literary works of Toni Morrison.

In addition to the literary discussion, students will be equipped with background knowledge in American racial and social history along with film screening of two documentaries: Dark Girls and Good Hair to develop thorough and in-dept understanding of African-American women’s struggle in the search of self-identity and self-esteem amidst racial prejudice in the physical appearance.

Under historical, social and cultural impact, the white stand of beauty has been accepted and recognized as the sole beauty standard in not only western but also eastern society. Thus, for the purpose of comprehending beauty in its essence, this seminar aims to dismantle such notion by examining the relationship between race and beauty and analyzing the African-American female characters closely in the select literature works of Toni Morrison.

In addition to the literature discussion, students will be equipped with background knowledge in American racial and social history along with film screening of two documents: Dark Girls and Good Hair to develop through and in-dept understanding of African-American women’s struggle in the search of self-identity and self-esteem amidst racial prejudice in the physical appearance.

Primary Readings:
Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye: A Novel. 1st Vintage International ed. New York: Vintage,
2007.
---. God Help the Child. 1st Vintage International ed. New York: Vintage, 2016.
---. Tar Baby. 1st Vintage International ed. New York: Vintage, 2014.

Secondary Materials:
Dark Girls. Dir. D. Channsin Berry, and Bill Duke. RLJ Entertainment, 2011. DVD.
Good Hair. Dir. Jeff Stilson. Roadside Attractions, 2009.
Walker, Alice. In Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women. Orlando: Harvest,
2001.

Primary Readings:
Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye: A Novel. 1st Vintage International ed. New York: Vintage,
2007.
---. God Help the Child. 1st Vintage International ed. New York: Vintage, 2016.
---. Tar Baby. 1st Vintage International ed. New York: Vintage, 2014.

Secondary Materials:
Dark Girls. Dir. D. Channsin Berry, and Bill Duke. RLJ Entertainment, 2011. DVD.
Good Hair. Dir. Jeff Stilson. Roadside Attractions, 2009.
Walker, Alice. In Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women. Orlando: Harvest,
2001.