Black Diaspora Literature I
- Arts
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 220 pages
- 14 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 60 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ENG313, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1: (RE)MEMBERING THE BLACK HISTORY: ALEX HALEY’S ROOTS: THE SAGA OF AN AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY AND THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MALCOLM XPage 131
- UNIT 2: FEMALE AND FEMINIST WRITINGS: ALICE WALKER, TONI MORRISON, MAYA ANGELOU AND NTOZAKE SHANGEPage 146
- UNIT 3: AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE IN THE 21ST CENTURYPage 174
- UNIT 4: THE PLACE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN IN THE AMERICAN DREAMPage 183
- UNIT 5: EXPLORING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE THROUGH AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATUREPage 195
- UNIT 6: AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE AS LITERATURE OF ‘OTHERNESS’Page 208
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ENG313 · UNIT 1: WHAT REALLY IS AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE?
Each module opens with a general introduction to capture its overall essence. It lists the units contained therein. Each unit has its contents containing the unit introduction, objectives, main contents, conclusion, summary, tutor-marked assignment and references/further readings.
What you should be able to do
- Define African American literature and its historical context.
- Identify key characteristics and themes of African American literature.
- Analyze the impact of historical events on African American literary expression.
- Evaluate the contributions of selected writers to the growth of American history.
- Explore the place of African American literature in both American and world literatures.
What it prepares you for
- Writer
- Editor
- Literary Critic
- Teacher
- Professor
- Publishing
- Education
- Journalism
- Media
- Academia
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: History and African American Literature
Unit 5: Civil Rights Movement and Black Art/ Black Power Era
The unit requires understanding of complex historical events and their impact on African American identity and literary expression.
- Module 3: Recent History and Critiques
Unit 6: African American Literature as Literature of ―Otherness‖
This unit requires critical analysis of complex social and political issues, as well as the ability to connect literary themes to real-world experiences.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: What is African American Literature?
Unit 1: What Really Is African American Literature? · 2 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 2Module 1: What is African American Literature?
Unit 2: Characteristics and Themes of African American Literature · 2 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 3Module 1: What is African American Literature?
Unit 3: Oral tradition · 2 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 4Module 2: History and African American Literature
Unit 1: Early African American Literature · 2 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 5Module 2: History and African American Literature
Unit 2: Slave narratives and Spirituals · 2 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 6Module 2: History and African American Literature
Unit 3: Post-slavery Era · 2 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 7Module 2: History and African American Literature
Unit 4: Harlem Renaissance · 2 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 8Module 2: History and African American Literature
Unit 5: Civil Rights Movement and Black Art/ Black Power Era · 2 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 9Module 3: Recent History and Critiques
Unit 1: (Re)membering the Black History: Alex Haley's *Roots: The Saga of an American Family* and *The Autobiography of Malcolm X* · 2 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 10Module 3: Recent History and Critiques
Unit 2: Female and Feminist Writings: Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou and Ntozake Shange · 2 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 11Module 3: Recent History and Critiques
Unit 3: African American Literature in the Twenty-first Century · 2 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 12Module 3: Recent History and Critiques
Unit 4: The Place of African American Literature and the African American in the American Dream · 2 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 13Module 3: Recent History and Critiques
Unit 5: Exploring the African American Culture through African American Literature · 2 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..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and self-assessment exercises (SAEs).
- Create a timeline of key historical events and literary movements.
- Develop a list of major authors and their significant works.
- Practice essay writing on key themes and topics.
- Focus on understanding the historical and cultural contexts of the literary works.
- Prepare concise summaries of each unit, highlighting key concepts and arguments.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ENG313 about?
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.
How many units does ENG313 have?
ENG313, Black Diaspora Literature I, has 14 units across 3 modules, over 220 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ENG313?
ENG313 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Arts.
Is ENG313 hard?
ENG313 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does ENG313 take to study?
About 60 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.
How is ENG313 assessed?
ENG313 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with ENG313?
Writer, Editor, Literary Critic, Teacher and Professor.