First-Year Writing Seminar (105-8-1)

Topic

Black Lives in Brazil: Afro-Brazilian Writing, Cul

Instructors

Jacob Charles Brown
847/491-4389
3-149 Crowe Hall

Meeting Info

Locy Hall 106: Mon, Wed, Fri 3:00PM - 3:50PM

Overview of class

Afro-Brazilian Writing, Culture, and Perspectives

Black writing matters, and in this course, students will gain a global perspective on the African diaspora through a focus on Afro-Brazilian literature. Brazil has the largest Afrodescendant population outside of Africa. It was the last nation in the Western hemisphere to officially abolish slavery in 1888, and it imported more enslaved human beings from the transatlantic slave trade than any other country in the world. Africans and their descendants have thus profoundly shaped Brazilian intellectual thought as well as virtually every aspect of Brazilian culture. Students will take a critical look at Brazilian history, culture, and society through the lens of Afro-Brazilian fiction, poetry, testimony, feminist theory, graphic novels, documentary, music, and more. By the end of the course, students will be able to name several of the most prominent Afro-Brazilian authors and make meaningful connections between their rich and multifaceted works. Students will also be able to write and talk about how Black authors in Brazil have challenged racism and intersecting structures of oppression from the 19th century to the present. Students will leave the class with an appreciation for how Afro-Brazilian literature can help us not only critique society but also collectively imagine a more equitable and inclusive future for all in Brazil and beyond.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Conduct original research on Afro-Brazilian authors, icons, and cultural concepts.
• Name some of the most influential Black authors, historical figures, and cultural icons in Brazil.
• Express how they have challenged racism and intersectional structures of oppression.
• Make original comparisons and personal connections with Afro-Brazilian cultural texts.
• Identify main ideas and form questions about what you research, read and watch.
• Form and support arguments with evidence from what you research, read and watch.
• Analyze the author's tone, voice, and use of structure in developing a literary text
• Evaluate evidence that you use to support arguments based on its source and content.

Evaluation Method

• Attendance and Participation - ungraded
• Written Short Reflections (homework and in-class "Friday Reflections") - ungraded
• Critical Analysis 1 - 20%
• Critical Analysis 2 - 40%
• Poster Project 20%
• Team Guest-Lecture 15%
• Author presentation 5%

Class Materials (Required)

All readings and films will be provided on Canvas.

Class Materials (Suggested)

Here is last year's syllabus for reference https://nuwildcat-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/jow6106_ads_northwestern_edu/EX2NgP1LS_xOpJSHvP9df0QBHZOjDoT5HlvK0fBz2lJ_EQ?e=DKcuwk

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.