Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0136 - What Was African American Lit

Before James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, or Beyonce even, there was Phillis Wheatley, Lucy Terry, John Marrant, etc. There were 18th century black writers telling stories. We will read a variety of writing-such as poems, sermons, narratives, letters-and examine closely how these early writers use and manipulate language, tell stories and rethink what we mean by reading in order to make better sense of their experiences in the world because of or in spite of enslavement (or freedom). Together, we will examine the following questions: How did these writers tackle themes and questions of identity, selfhood, community, and affect within their chosen literary forms: poems, sermons, letters, or narratives. How do black lives matter when enslaved or when legally denied their humanity? What kinds of agency emerge when the matters of one's life are self-determined?

Culture, Humanities, and Languages Power, Community and Social Justice Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research In this course, students are generally expected to spend 6 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.