Course Description

This course examines the theory and knowledge produced by African American authors of fiction and non-fiction texts that describe the critical events, histories, cultures, intellectual traditions, contributions, lived-experiences and social struggles of African Americans with a particular emphasis on agency and group affirmation. Instructors guide students in critically analyzing literary texts through an ethnic studies framework to recognize the intersection of racial identity with other identity markers such as gender, class, sexuality, religion and immigration status. The course invites students to critically review the various ways African American literature challenges, complicates, and re-imagines dominant Western narratives.