Description
This is an upper-division course studying literary texts from the 15th century to
the 21st century written by African Americans in the United States and the African Diaspora. Students will study African American writers� depictions and experiences of African Americans in non-fiction and fiction, drama, poetry sermons, song and
folklore. Reading, studying, discussing and interpreting works by African American writers, students will develop a greater appreciation of them and their
contributions to the U.S. In addition to studying these works as literary texts,
students will look closely at the historical, cultural, social and political eventsthat influenced the writers. Students will also use different literary critical
pproaches to gain a deeper understanding of these texts as means of production and representation. There is a strong emphasis on writing assignments and class
discussion.