Text only

ENG 245

I. TITLE: African American Literature

II. CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Beginning with a consideration of the African American experience during slavery, students enrolled in this survey course will examine the fiction and non-fiction written by African Americans. Thematic emphasis will be given to historical, cultural, and contemporary issues as viewed in seminal African American works written by such authors as Frederick Douglass, Linda Brent, W.E.B. DuBois, Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, Booker T. Washington, Langston Hughes, and Harriet Wilson.

III. PURPOSE: African American literature, a distinct tradition originating in the Afrwan and African American cultural heritages and in the experience of enslavement in the United States, encompasses the breadth of the struggles, achievements, and roles of Blacks in shaping American society. This course offers students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the literary traditions, historical themes, and cultural perspectives which have evolved in the African American literary tradition. In addition, ENG 245 will cultivate the following Characteristics of an MSU Graduate:

Characteristic 1: Engage in mature independent thought and express that thought effectively in oral and written communication. ENG 245 will teach students to examine the effect of Black literature and culture on American society and to express their ideas in clear prose.

Characteristic 2: Understand the critical and scientific methodologies academic disciplines employ to discover knowledge and ascertain its validity. ENG 245 will help students understand the methodologies of literary and cultural studies.

Characteristic 3: Apply sound standards of analysis and evaluation to reach logical decisions. ENG 245 will encourage students to analyze and evaluate literature by a wide variety of African American authors.

Characteristic 5: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the world’s historical, literary, philosophical and artistic traditions. ENG 245 focuses on developing students’ understanding of the importance of Black culture, literature, and art, to the growth of American society.

Characteristic 6: Understand the dynamics of cultural diversity, of competing economic and political systems, and of complex moral and ethical issues. ENG 245 helps students recognize the diversity of American culture by exploring the growth of the African American literary tradition.

IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, students should be able to appreciate both the historical development of the African American literary tradition and the creative diversity amongst African American writers. In addition, students should be able to understand how African American literature relates to and interacts with American literature in general.

V. CONTENT OUTLINE: The course will be arranged chronologically into four major units or historical periods: American Slavery: 1619-1863; The Journey Towards Freedom: 1865-1920; Crossroads: 1920-60; Resistance and Revolution: 1960’s to the present.

VI. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
A. Active learning methodologies: The course will be highly interactive and utilize
class discussions, student presentations, and exams to assess students’ familiarity with and understanding of the literature.

B. Reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking requirements: Students will be
expected to write two critical papers totaling at least 2000 words in which they assess and analyze a relevant problem posed in the literature, and students must take a midterm and final exam.

C. Computer technology: Students will use the internet as a resource. Its value in cultural studies is immense.

VII. FIELD AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES: Students may be required to attend regional cultural and artistic events that relate to the development of African American literature and culture.

VIII. RESOURCES: Besides the reading material required for the course, students will be required to watch videos that provide background material on slavery, the Harlem Renaissance, or interviews with particular writers, depending on the topic of concentration. Students will be directed to the Waterfield Library for additional research and resource materials.

IX. GRADING PROCEDURES: Grading in the course will be based on the student’s performance on the required work. At least 20% of the course grade will come from examinations; at least 20% from papers; at least 10% from oral presentations; and at least 10% from participation and quizzes. The evaluation of all written work will weigh the quality of insights, the kind and quality of evidence, and the clarity of the work as well as the level of correctness. Student writing will reflect the broad variety of world wide web resources on this subject.

X. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students are expected to attend each class meeting. Their course grade will be lowered one third of a letter grade for each unexcused absence over 3. If for any reason students miss one fourth or more of the class meetings, they will not receive a passing grade for the course.

XI. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: See the attached college and university policies.

XII. TEXTS AND REFERENCES:
Call & Response: The Riverside Anthology of the African American Literary Tradition.
Frederick Douglass, The Narrative of the L~fe of Frederick Douglass
Linda Brent, Incidents in the I4fe of a Slave Girl
Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God
Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

XIII.   PREREQUISITES: ENG 101 and 102 or ENG 104 (or the equivalent)

Last updated February 14, 2000. Designed and maintained by Kyosung Koo