The Majors program puts great emphasis on the literary tradition of the predominant White American Literature and gender oppression from the female perspective in Women's Literature. In order to further solidify the objective of enhancing students’ knowledge of diversity of culture, race, and gender and broadening their international perspective, it is believed that African-American Literature helps to provide various angles for the academic discussions of and lectures on American literature. Hence, instead of solely engaging in the discourses of female oppression, this course hopes to bring in a different viewpoint to the discussion of black lives with a major focus on the representation and characterization of black males in the selective African-American literary works.
By the end of the semester, students should be develop a) high levels of English language proficiency in listening, reading, speaking, and writing, b) Academic writing skill in research, c) specific knowledge of the representation of black masculinity in selective African-American literary works, d) independent and critical thinking on social and gender identities of African-American men in the eras of slavery and racial segregation, e) knowledge of cultural and racial diversity and international perspective, and f) capability of making fair and humble judgment.The Majors program puts great emphasis on the literary tradition of the predominant White American Literature and gender oppression from the female perspective in Women's Literature. In order to further solidify the objective of enhancing students' knowledge of diversity of culture, race, and gender and broadening their international perspective, it is believed that African-American Literature helps to provide various angles for the academic discussions of and lectures on American literature. Hence, instead of solely engaging in the discourses of female oppression, this course hopes to bring in a different viewpoint to the discussion of black lives with a major focus on the representation and characterization of black males in the selective African-American literary works.
By the end of the semester, students should be develop a) high levels of English language proficiency in listening, reading, speaking, and writing, b) Academic writing skill in research, c) specific knowledge of the representation of black masculinity in selective African -American literary works, d) independent and critical thinking on social and gender identities of African-American men in the eras of slavery and racial segregation, e) knowledge of cultural and racial diversity and international perspective, and f) capability of making fair and humble judgment.
This seminar aims to closely examine the theme of racial and gender inequality in African-American Literature and critically analyze how black masculinity is conceptualized and reconstructed in the selective literary works of James Baldwin, Earnest J. Gaines, Toni Morrison, and Solomon Northup with supplementary readings of Ralph Ellison and Richard Wright. Apart from the literary and logical discussion, the historical and socioeconomic backgrounds of slavery and racial segregation will be provided to deepen the comprehension of African-American men’s struggle in the face of unequal and dominant social systems in their time.
This seminar aims to closely examine the theme of racial and gender inequality in African-American Literature and critically analyze how black masculinity is conceptualized and reconstructed in the selective literary works of James Baldwin, Earnest J. Gaines, Toni Morrison, and Solomon Northup with supplementary readings of Ralph Ellison and Richard Wright. Apart from the literary and logical discussion, the historical and socioeconomic backgrounds of slavery and racial segregation will be provided to deepen the comprehension of African-American men's struggle in the face of unequal and dominant social systems in their time.
*Primary Readings:
1. Baldwin, James. Go Tell in on the Mountain. New York: Dell, 1985.
2. Gaines, Earnest J. A Lesson Before Dying. 1st ed. New York: Vintage, 1994.
3. Morrison, Toni. Song of Solomon. New York: Vintage, 2004.
4. Northup, Solomon. 12 Years a Slave. New York: Atria, 2013.
*Secondary and Selective Readings:
1. Baldwin, James. “The Price of the Ticket.” James Baldwin: Collected Essays. New York: Libr. of Amer., 1998. 830-44.
2. Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. New York: Vintage, 1995.
3. Wright, Richard. The Ethics of Living Jim Crow, an Autobiographical Sketch. The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. Ed. Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Nellie Y. McKay. New York: Norton, 1997. 1388-96
*Primary Readings:
1. Baldwin, James. Go Tell in on the Mountain. New York: Dell, 1985.
2. Gaines, Earnest J. A Lesson Before Dying. 1st ed. New York: Vintage, 1994.
3. Morrison, Toni. Song of Solomon. New York: Vintage, 2004.
4. Northup, Solomon. 12 Years a Slave. New York: Atria, 2013.
*Secondary and Selective Readings:
1. Baldwin, James. “The Price of the Ticket.” James Baldwin: Collected Essays. New York: Libr. of Amer., 1998. 830-44.
2. Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. New York: Vintage, 1995.
3. Wright, Richard. The Ethics of Living Jim Crow, an Autobiographical Sketch. The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. Ed. Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Nellie Y. McKay. New York: Norton, 1997. 1388-96
| 評分項目 Grading Method | 配分比例 Grading percentage | 說明 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance and class participationAttendance and class participation attendance and class participation |
15 | Being active in class discussions is required. |
| Weekly responsesWeekly responses weekly responses |
30 | You are required to write a short response (1-2 page in double space) on the assigned reading of the week 5 times during the semester, and email it to me by 8P.M., every Monday. |
| Oral PresentationOral Presentation oral presentation |
20 | Throughout the semester, you will be asked to do 2 oral presentations with a partner. You will present on one or two selected African-American predominant figure(s) in the 20th century, either by handout or PowerPoint slides. |
| Final research paperFinal research paper final research paper |
35 | A 6-8 page research paper in the correct MLA format is required for this seminar. My approval of the topic of your choosing is needed. |
