This course is designed to provide you with an overview of African American literature from the Colonial period to the early twentieth century. You will not only examine traditional works of literature, such as fiction, autobiography and poetry, you will also examine nontraditional works of literature known as vernacular, which includes music (spirituals, jazz, and blues) and speeches (sidewalk and church sermons). You will study literature in combination with the historical, cultural and political framework of the times in which they were created by reading critically, participating in online discussions, writing analyses, conducting research, and evaluating resources.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• Read literary genres critically and respond in writing 
• Identify the major genres created by African American writers and the characteristics of those genres 
• Identify the major themes of African American literature produced from the Colonial period to the early twentieth century 
• Write clear, coherent, well-organized analyses of the literature 
• Write a thesis statement which is supported in the analysis with details and textual evidence from the literary work 

The required textbook for this course is:

• Gates Jr., Henry Louis, and McKay, Nellie Y.  The Norton Anthology of African American Literature.  New York: Norton, 2nd edition.

Using eBooks

Your course allows open-book exams. You will only be allowed to use a hard copy of the textbook at the Testing Centers. If the publisher offers an electronic version of the textbook (called an “eBook”), you will not be able to access it at the Testing Centers. Also, you will not be able to use the printouts of the electronic text or copies of the pages of a hard copy textbook at the Testing Centers. You will only be allowed to use a hard copy of the textbook. If you have purchased an eBook and wish to use a textbook during your open-book exam, we suggest that you check the NOVA libraries, and/or contact your instructor, to try to locate a hard copy you could borrow for the exam.

Your course grade will be determined according to the following points:
 

There are 3 proctored exams in this course. You are expected to take your proctored exams at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect Empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking proctored exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : cicooper@nvcc.edu
Telephone : (703) 948-7704
 

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard and email at http://nvcc.my.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.