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African American Literary Theory
ENGL276 SP

Crosslistings: AFAM276

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 so me literary (as opposed to theoretical) works.

MAJOR READINGS

Alain Locke, THE NEW NEGRO W.E.B. DuBois, THE SOULS OF BLACK FOLK Hughes, "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" Ellison, SHADOW AND ACT Baraka, DUTCHMAN Shange, FOR COLORED GIRLS Baker, THE JOURNEY BACK Gates, THE SIGNIFYING MONKEY Carby, RECONSTRUCTING WOMANHOOD Morrison, BELOVED Walker, MERIDIAN

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Midterm, final, seminar report and term paper

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE

Last Updated on MAR-24-2000

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