350:372
Literature of the Black World

This course will focus primarily on the cultural production in the twentieth century by writers throughout the African Diaspora within the historical, cultural and political contexts of European colonialism, American imperialism and anti- and post-colonial resistance. We will explore the narrative strategies deployed by these writers as they think through and interrogate constructions of resistance. To that end, we will be reading literary texts in conversation and conjunction with theoretical texts that question where and how possibilities and modes of resistance emerge. Though the majority of the readings are Anglophone, this course includes works translated from Spanish and French. Students capable of reading these works in their original languages are encouraged to do so.

Primary texts for this course will be chosen from the following: Literary Spaces: Introduction to Comparative Black Literature edited by Christel N. Temple, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, Claude McKay’s Banjo, Bessie Head’s A Question of Power, and Patricia Powell’s The Pagoda.

Attendance and participation are mandatory. More than three absences will negatively affect your grade.

Writing requirements for this course will be three close readings, a midterm paper and a final paper.