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Academic Year 2003/2004

Comparing Texts: Gender, Character and Voice in African American Narratives
AFAM 230 FA
Crosslistings:
AMST 309
WMST 248

In this course, students will compare key texts written by African American men and women in order to enhance their reading and analysis of the individual narratives. For instance, a comparison of the writings of formerly enslaved writers, Harriet Jacobs and Frederick Douglass, reveals striking stylistic and content differences. While Douglass wrote several influential narratives without revealing many significant details regarding his private life, Jacobs was obliged to disclose the circumstances surrounding the birth of her children in order to put forth her strongest case against slavery. How do prevailing perceptions of manhood, womanhood and social position affect audience and critical response? How do these perceptions and responses influence the authors' choices regarding character, structure, voice, style and their approaches to subjects considered to be taboo?

MAJOR READINGS

NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS, edited and with an introduction by Houston A. Baker, Jr.
INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A SLAVE GIRL, Harriet Jacobs
NATIVE SON, Richard Wright
THE STREET, Ann Petry
INVISIBLE MAN, Ralph Ellison
SALT EATERS, Toni Cade Bambara
ZAMI, Audre Lorde
GIOVANNI'S ROOM, James Baldwin

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Four 5-7 page papers, two oral reports, one library research session, one AFAM lecture, one 10-12 page final project.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA AFAM    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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