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ENG313Arts2 Unitsintermediate

Black Diaspora Literature I

This course, Black Diaspora Literature I – African American, explores the history of African Americans through their literature from the 18th Century to the present. It examines how artists and intellectuals have responded, through their writings, to the historical forces that have shaped the life of the African American. The course considers historical, intellectual and socio-cultural backgrounds to African American literature and explores how the literature has influenced the African American existence.

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60h
Study Time
13
Weeks
5h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
African American LiteratureBlack DiasporaSlaveryHarlem RenaissanceCivil Rights Movement

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

African American Identity

2

Slavery and its Legacy

3

Racial Discrimination

4

The Harlem Renaissance

5

Civil Rights Movement

6

Black Arts Movement

7

Feminism and Womanism

8

The American Dream

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Writer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Editor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Literary Critic

Apply your skills in this growing field

Teacher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Professor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

PublishingEducationJournalismMediaAcademia

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: What is African American Literature?

2h

Unit 1: What Really Is African American Literature?

2 study hours
  • •Define African American literature and its historical context.
  • •Identify the experiences that shaped African American literature.
  • •Explore writers from different phases of African American literature.
Week
2

Module 1: What is African American Literature?

2h

Unit 2: Characteristics and Themes of African American Literature

2 study hours
  • •Identify characteristics of African American literature: authorship, experiences, setting, style.
  • •Examine themes like slavery, racial discrimination, alienation, and the quest for roots.
  • •Analyze how these themes reflect African American history.
Week
3

Module 1: What is African American Literature?

2h

Unit 3: Oral tradition

2 study hours
  • •Identify the oral traditions of storytelling, plantation work songs, and spirituals.
  • •Trace the impact of oral traditions on African American literature.
  • •Analyze how orality influences the style and content of the literature.
Week
4

Module 2: History and African American Literature

2h

Unit 1: Early African American Literature

2 study hours
  • •Examine early African American writers like Phillis Wheatley and Jupiter Hammon.
  • •Analyze their contributions to the development of African American literature.
  • •Discuss the themes and styles prevalent in early African American writings.
Week
5

Module 2: History and African American Literature

2h

Unit 2: Slave narratives and Spirituals

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the origin and purpose of slave narratives.
  • •Examine the influence of the King James Bible and abolitionist rhetoric.
  • •Analyze the motifs and patterns in slave narratives.
Week
6

Module 2: History and African American Literature

2h

Unit 3: Post-slavery Era

2 study hours
  • •Examine the challenges faced by African Americans after the abolition of slavery.
  • •Discuss the impact of Jim Crow laws and racial discrimination.
  • •Analyze the themes of identity and cultural expression in post-slavery literature.
Week
7

Module 2: History and African American Literature

2h

Unit 4: Harlem Renaissance

2 study hours
  • •Explain the social, cultural, and political context of the Harlem Renaissance.
  • •Discuss the key figures and their contributions to art, music, and literature.
  • •Analyze the themes of racial pride, identity, and cultural expression during this era.
Week
8

Module 2: History and African American Literature

2h

Unit 5: Civil Rights Movement and Black Art/ Black Power Era

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the goals and impact of the Civil Rights Movement.
  • •Examine the role of Black Art in promoting equality and social change.
  • •Analyze the themes of resistance, empowerment, and black nationalism in this era.
Week
9

Module 3: Recent History and Critiques

2h

Unit 1: (Re)membering the Black History: Alex Haley's *Roots: The Saga of an American Family* and *The Autobiography of Malcolm X*

2 study hours
  • •Analyze the themes of identity, history, and memory in these works.
  • •Discuss the impact of these narratives on understanding black history.
  • •Compare and contrast the perspectives of Haley and Malcolm X.
Week
10

Module 3: Recent History and Critiques

2h

Unit 2: Female and Feminist Writings: Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou and Ntozake Shange

2 study hours
  • •Examine the themes of female empowerment, identity, and social justice in their writings.
  • •Discuss the role of feminism and womanism in African American literature.
  • •Analyze the unique perspectives and contributions of these female writers.
Week
11

Module 3: Recent History and Critiques

2h

Unit 3: African American Literature in the Twenty-first Century

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the themes and styles prevalent in contemporary African American literature.
  • •Analyze how these works reflect the current social, political, and cultural landscape.
  • •Explore the evolving identity and experiences of African Americans in the 21st century.
Week
12

Module 3: Recent History and Critiques

2h

Unit 4: The Place of African American Literature and the African American in the American Dream

2 study hours
  • •Examine the concept of the American Dream and its relevance to African Americans.
  • •Discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by African Americans in achieving the American Dream.
  • •Analyze how African American literature reflects and critiques the American Dream.
Week
13

Module 3: Recent History and Critiques

2h

Unit 5: Exploring the African American Culture through African American Literature

2 study hours
  • •Explore the various aspects of African American culture as portrayed in their literature.
  • •Discuss the role of language, music, and folklore in shaping African American identity.
  • •Analyze how African American literature preserves and celebrates their cultural heritage.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and self-assessment exercises (SAEs).

2

Create a timeline of key historical events and literary movements.

3

Develop a list of major authors and their significant works.

4

Practice essay writing on key themes and topics.

5

Focus on understanding the historical and cultural contexts of the literary works.

6

Prepare concise summaries of each unit, highlighting key concepts and arguments.

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