Thursday, September 11, 2014

Tisha Brooks’s upcoming (Spring 2015) Af-Am Lit courses

[Related: Short descriptions of upcoming Spring 2015 courses]

ENG 205: Introduction to African American Texts
(MW 12:00 – 1:15 pm)
Professor Tisha Brooks


This survey course is designed to introduce you to a range of African American texts, including poetry, autobiography, short fiction, novels, essays, drama, as well as works from the oral tradition, such as songs, folktales, sermons and speeches. Our primary texts will span from the colonial through the contemporary period with the goal of exploring major historical and literary movements, trends, and key themes. In this course, we will also further develop our critical reading, speaking and writing skills in response to the literature that we encounter. In order to help ground our discussions and expand our exploration of African American literature beyond the text, we will use digital resources in the classroom to view videos, images of historical artifacts, photographs, art and listen to audio clips of interviews, sermons, speeches, readings of poetry and musical performances. Expect to be actively engaged in this class, which includes small and large group discussions, full class workshops, and oral presentations.

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


ENG 342: Movements in Af-Am Lit.: African American Travel Writing
(MW 1:30 – 2:45)
Professor Tisha Brooks


One of the major themes that persists throughout African American literature is the theme of mobility, in particular the themes of migration and travel. Yet much of our thinking and understanding of the mobility and movements of black people has focused narrowly on their captivity and forced passages. The goal of this course will be to expand our understanding of black people as travellers, rather than just as captive or imprisoned bodies. Moreover, we will consider motivations for their travel, as well as the impact of their travel within their particular historical and social contexts. Moreover, through our reading, writing and class discussions, we will seek to discover the historical and literary significance of their travel and writing. The readings in this course will span the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries and will be a mix of selected excerpts along with a handful of full-length texts. This course will be collaborative in nature, so expect to be actively engaged in discussions.

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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