Studies in African American Literature (366-0-20)

Topic

Black Feminist Worldmaking

Instructors

Justin Mann

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-343: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

What might the world like if it were made in the image of black feminist visionaries? How and why should we invite those imagined futures into our political and social realities? In this course, students will survey a range of writing in Black feminist and queer-of-color theory, paying special attention to the world-making potential of radical thinking. Students will read foundational texts including those by Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde, and Kimberlé Crenshaw, alongside more recent contributions from scholars including Jennifer C. Nash, Kevin Quashie, and Nicole Fleetwood to understand the shape and contour of contemporary black feminist world-making. Additionally, students will examine the veil between literature and theory and consider the ways in which these two genres of writing bleed into and reinforce one another.

Evaluation Method

This course is reading intensive with weekly writing assignments and a large summative writing assignment.

Class Materials (Required)

Ntozake Shange, for colored girls 978-0684843261
Toni Morrison, Sula 978-1400033430

Class Attributes

Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area
U.S. Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration -- Reserved for English students.