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Academic Year 2003/2004


Slavery in Fact, Fiction and Film
HIST 322 FA

Crosslistings:
AMST 329
AFAM 302

This seminar will explore the role of slavery's legacy in modern American culture. Students will examine changing interpretations of slavery's role in the recent American past by examining historical texts, novels, screen treatments, including documentary, as well as popular cinematic vehicles for both theatrical and televised releases.

From the publication of Kenneth Stampp's THE PECULIAR INSTITUTION (1956) nearly fifty years ago, new scholarly interpretations of slavery have been a controversial and challenging field. Along with scholarly trends, there have been dramatic responses in popular and literary culture. Fictional and documentary representations of slavery have undergone dynamic shifts.

These transformations, as well as interactions between scholarly and popular views on slavery and its legacy will be examined in detail.

MAJOR READINGS

Peter Kolchin, AMERICAN SLAVERY
Michael Wayne, DEATH OF AN OVERSEER
Kenneth Greenberg, THE CONFESSIONS OF NAT TURNER
Melton McLaurin, CELIA, A SLAVE
Alice Randall, THE WIND DONE GONE
Octavia Butler, KINDRED
Harriet Jacobs, INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A SLAVE GIRL
David Blight, ed., NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS

Selections from ROOTS
Selections from AFRICANS IN AMERICA
UNCHAINED MEMORIES
A TROUBLESOME PROPERTY
MANDINGO

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two brief position papers, three short papers, and a final essay.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Seminar participants must prepare required readings and viewing by the date assigned and participate fully in class discussions.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS HIST    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Clinton,Catherine   
Times: .M..... 01:10PM-04:00PM;     Location: CAMS 3
Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 15)
SR. major: 5   Jr. major: 5
SR. non-major: 2   Jr. non-major: 2   SO: 1   FR: X

Special Attributes:
Curricular Renewal:    Reading Non-Verbal Texts, Writing
Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004


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