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Academic Year 2005/2006

African American Literary Theory
ENGL 276 SP
Crosslistings:
AFAM 276

This course proposes to look at developments in theoretical thinking about African American literature to see where it began, what turns it took and its relationship with theory about mainstream literature. To do this, we will read and discuss major theoretical works from three watershed eras for literature and theory: the Harlem Renaissance, the period of the Black Aesthetic/Black Nationalism and contemporary Poststructuralism. To make these theoretical reading more pragmatic, we will also read some literary (as opposed to theoretical) works.

MAJOR READINGS

1. Locke, THE NEW NEGRO
2. Gates, BLACK LITERATURE & LITERARY THEORY
3. Baker & Redmond, AFRO-AMERICAN LITERARY STUDY IN THE 1990's
4. duCille, THE COUPLING CONVENTION
5. Napier, AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERARY THEORY

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Midterm, final, seminar report and term paper

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course meets the department's theory requirement.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NONE    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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