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 have not completed these, please contact me immediately.