Afro-American Studies 250 - African American Short Stories

The short story is an important narrative form in the United States where it has maintained popularity over its long history dating from the eighteenth century. This course employs a critical race studies and cultural studies approach and centers on the development of the short story in African American literature as well as on the prevalent issues and themes in African American literature. Many black writers have found that the short story form provides a viable structure in which to present varied topics from African American life, history, and culture. Readings in this course will include short stories by a broad spectrum of African American writers from the nineteenth century through to the twenty-first century. Participants in the course will encounter a plethora of subjects addressed in African American literature since 1859 with the publication of Frances E. W. Harper's "The Two Offers," which is the first known short story published in the United States and in English by an African American writer. (Gen. Ed. AL, DU)