Traces of Empire: Writing Filipino and American Experiences Through Creative Nonfiction

This course explores the traces of the US in the Philippines through the reading and writing of creative nonfiction. We will study and write about this ongoing relationship in the lives of contemporary Filipinos in the diaspora through topics such as Facebook and elections, Filipino nurses and labor, and the rise of Filipino flavors such as ube in American foods. Students keep a notebook and practice all the stages of writing towards a portfolio of creative nonfiction. This course includes mandatory travel to Manila, Philippines for experiential learning with visits to Ateneo de Manila University and Rappler, a news site.