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The First Century of the African American Novel, 1853-1953
ENGL308 SP
Crosslistings: AFAM310
In this course, we will read a set of selected novels written between 1853 and 1953. We will discuss each of these novels as it is historically situated and as it relates to its predecessors in the construction of an
African American literary history.
We will also discuss the ways literary histories get constructed and reconstructed. The list of readings is highly tentative and will almost certainly be changed by the time this course begins.
MAJOR READINGS
Andrews, William, THE AFRICAN AMERICAN NOVEL IN THE AGE OF REACTION (1992) Bell, Bernard, THE AFRO-AMERICAN NOVEL AND ITS TRADITION (1989) Brown, Williams Wells, CLOTEL, OR THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER (1853) Ellison,
Ralph, INVISIBLE MAN (1952)
Hopkins, Pauline, CONTENDING FORCES (1900) Hurston, Zora Neale, THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD (1937) Larsen, Nella, QUICKSAND and PASSING (1928, 1929) Petry, Ann, THE NARROWS (1953) Wright, Richard, NATIVE SON
(1945)
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
One short paper (5 pages); one long paper (12 pages); one final exam.
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. This course counts toward the English department's historical knowledge requirement.
COURSE FORMAT:
Lecture
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level:
UGRD
Credit:
1
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ENGL
Grading Mode:
Student Option
Prerequisites:
AFAM201 OR ENGL201
Last Updated on MAR-24-2000
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Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459