21L.504[J] Race and Identity in American Literature

Same Subject As: WGS.140[J]
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-9 HASS-H; Can be repeated for credit

This course examines Black Feminism through the lens of literature and literary studies. Using twentieth-century and contemporary literature, film, and Black Feminist theory, we will study ways of thinking, creating, and being that spring from the lived experiences and observations of Black women. Some of the questions we will think about throughout the course include: How does Black feminism intervene in and contribute to the value, beauty, and complexity of literature? What can a Black Feminist novel teach us that we didn’t know before? How does a Black Feminist work of fiction advocate for the importance of language and storytelling? Through our readings of the texts assigned for this course, students will have a chance to think about so many topics, including but not limited to: sisterhood, climate change, city life, friendship, romantic relationships, community, parenthood, pain, joy, fear, courage, intersectionality, and writing as as life-saving practice.