This course explores the history, practice, ethics and possibilities of immersion-research based performance and writing. Through assigned readings, viewings of films and performances, class discussions and their own writing, students will survey the variety of performance and literature based on interviews, immersion reporting, and close listening and observation. We will examine how race, class, power, status, gender, sexuality and historical legacy inform different artists' approach to bringing real life stories to the stage, screen, and page. We will learn best practices around cross-cultural communication, permission, observation-witness, and inclusive collaboration. We will interrogate the concepts of emotional truth vs journalistic fact, artistic agency and structural power, authenticity and nuance, stereotypes and archetypes, reversing expectation, appropriation, representation, inclusivity, and diversity in cultural production. Students will create their own writing and performance pieces, and will gain tools and skills to engage more incisively as critics and creators of culture.LITPA 200 courses introduce students to the study of literature or the performing arts, emphasizing analysis of both particular works and of the range of genres, periods and traditions. Frequent reading and writing assignments will be made.

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