Course Description
In 2013, the Black Lives Matter movement was founded in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting of Trayvon Martin. But what are black lives, and what does it mean to be black? This writing intensive course is intended to introduce students to African-American literature, focusing on issues of identity and subjectivity. On the way, we will cover different theoretical frameworks—e.g., performative, historical, cultural, and aesthetic—that contribute to a fluid construction of race, class, and gender. This course will include survey readings by prominent African-American authors such as W. E. B. Du Bois, Nella Larsen, James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, and Toni Morrison. The goal of this course is to not only orient students to questions concerning identity power and subjectivity, but to show how these theories can be used to engage African-American Literature.
Required Texts
Baldwin, James. Notes of a Native Son.
Du Bois, W. E. B. The Souls of Black Folk.
Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man.
Larsen, Nella. Passing.
Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye.
Other essays distributed on Laulima
Class Requirements and Expectations
1 Oral Presentation
3 Short Essays (3 pp. minimum)
1 Long Essay (7 pp. minimum)
Mid-Term exam
Final exam
Attendance / Participation