Thursday, September 11, 2014

Elizabeth Cali’s upcoming (Spring 2015) Af-Am Lit courses

[Related: Short descriptions of upcoming Spring 2015 courses]

ENG 205: Introduction to African American Texts
(TR 12:30 – 1:45 pm)
Professor Elizabeth Cali


This survey course is designed to introduce you to a range of African American texts and literary traditions. Course readings will include poetry, autobiography, short fiction and essays, novels, drama, speeches, and audio and film performances. Your primary readings will include early African American literatures (from colonial period through the US Civil War), literatures of the Civil Rights and Black Arts Movements, contemporary African American literatures and more. Our goals will be to identify and trace prominent traditions, themes, and debates in African American literature across vast periods of time. Further, our survey of African American literature will challenge dominant Western definitions of literature by including visual and oral traditions of Black expression as well. We will practice and share critical reading and analysis skills through class and group discussion, short presentations, and various writing assignments. Expect to be actively engaged in this class by participating in class and small group discussions, oral presentations, in-class annotations of readings, and brief in-class written reader responses.

General education requirements fulfilled:
Humanities-Breath; Fine Arts and Humanities; United States Cultures-Exp; Intergroup relations



ENG 477: Reading and Analysis of the works of Toni Morrison
(TR 3:30 – 4:45 pm)
Professor Elizabeth Cali


As an expansive study of the works of African American author and theorist, Toni Morrison, this class will explore Morrison’s works of literary criticism and theory, nonfiction and personal narrative, and her novels. We will explore Morrison’s utilization and expansion of continuing traditions, themes, and tropes in African American literature, as well as her employment of mainstream American literary conventions to highlight the convergences and conflicts between African American literatures and the broader field of American literature. In order to historically and politically contextualize our understanding of Morrison’s texts, students will conduct research pertaining to Morrison’s textual productions, publishing history, and biographical information. Students should plan to engage with a variety of forms of participation, from class discussion, to student presentations, in-class annotations, and interaction with various media forms that enhance learning about and from Morrison.

General education requirements fulfilled:
Humanities-Breath; Fine Arts and Humanities; United States Cultures-Exp; Intergroup relations

Related:
African American Literature @ SIUE

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