Commentary and Persuasion in African American Literature
This course will introduce students to the study of African American
literature by using works from a variety of genres to address some of its
underlying generative themes. Through reading and class discussion we
will examine the significance of terms like "race," "racism,"
"identity," "history," "oppression," "experience," and "writing" as they
pertain to the African American literary enterprise. Authors in the
course will include David Walker, James Baldwin, Harriet Wilson, Langston
Hughes, Toni Morrison, and August Wilson. Course work will consist of
several short papers and a final examination.
Note: Students who are concentrating in 20th-century American literature may
use this course as among the five in the concentration; and,
obviously, majors concentrating in African-American literature will
find this course ideal.