Studies in African American Literature (366-0-20)
Topic
19th-C Black New World
Instructors
Nicole Adeyinka Spigner
Meeting Info
University Hall 112: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
This course introduces students to a variety of works by Black writers of the long nineteenth century. In this class, we will concentrate on the poetry and fiction of this period and explore the central themes, styles, commonalities, and differences within these works. For instance, we will consider how dialect and geography change our understanding of the subject matter. We will confront our preconceived expectations of what "Black literature" means in the nineteenth century and consider the implications of this process throughout the semester.
The course depends on reading and writing, and every week will require preparation of a primary text and supplementary reading through which we will explore central issues in the assigned reading, including issues of class and citizenship, identity formation, and gender.
Evaluation Method
This class depends on discussion and participation of every member of the class. Come to class prepared to enthusiastically tackle, through discussion and our own literary criticism, issues of gender, class, sexuality, and race as they figure in our readings and other materials.
Assignments will include regular online discussions, leading an in-class discussion, and a final annotated bibliography project. Students will be evaluated on their performance in these assignments as well as class attendance and participation.
Class Materials (Required)
Texts will include works by Henry Box Brown, Mary Prince, Charles Chesnutt, Alice Dunbar-Nelson, and others, in addition to companion critical and theoretical articles.
Class Attributes
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area