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ENG 253 : Survey of African American Literature I - 3 Credits
Overview

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.

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Objectives
 

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 

 

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Materials
 

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Grading
 

Possible Assignments Include: (Subject to change each semester. The actual assignments are available in the Syllabus in the Blackboard course site on the first day of classes.)

Assignment
Percentage of Grade
Points
Introduction 5 50
Discussion Forums
(8 w/ 15 points for original post
and 10 points for responses)
20
200
Exam 1 15 150
Exam 2 15 150
Essay 1
20
200
Essay 2 25 250
Total
100
1000

Your final grade may be based on the following scale. Please note that you must also pass both exams in order to pass the course, regardless of your scores on the other assignments.

Grading Scale
A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
0-59%
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Exams
 

There are 2 exams in this course.

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ELI Policies and Procedures
 
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Beginning the Course
 

Last Updated: May 2, 2012