Course Description

During this semester, we will read, discuss, and critique various works of Black authors. I say "Black" rather than "African American" because this allows us to also consider works by Blacks outside of the United States, and consider how experiences of Black people transcend time, space, and geographical location. From short stories, to poems, to plays, to novels, we will explore the wealth of literary works written by Black authors, as well as examine some critiques about Black writers.

This course will

• require close reading of texts while providing the study of strategies for producing those close readings.
• encourage consideration of literary texts' system of aesthetics, values, and ethics
• require student responses to literary texts and provide strategies for producing those student responses through oral, written, and electronic responses
• provide students with strategies for appreciation and critique of literary texts