African-America & Caribbean Literature
- Arts
- 800 level
- 2 credit units
- 177 pages
- 9 units
This course presents a comprehensive survey of literature produced by major writers of the black diaspora in North America and the English-speaking Caribbean. It focuses on literary responses to historical, socio-economic, and political movements over the last three centuries. The course explores themes such as slavery, colonialism, migration, identity, and feminism in African-American and Caribbean literary realism. Students will develop critical thinking and close reading skills.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 45 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Knowledge of major African-American and Caribbean writers
- Understanding of social, political, and intellectual contexts
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ENG817, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- Unit 1: George Lamming: Aesthetics of Self Recovery in The Castle of my SkinPage 130
- Unit 2: Richard WrightPage 140
- Unit 3: Edward Kamau BrathwaitePage 143
- Unit 4: V.S. NaipaulPage 149
- UNIT 5: A SYNOPSIS ON HISTORICAL EMERGENCE AND AESTHETIC OF IDENTITY IN DEREK WALCOTT’S ANOTHER LIFE AND WILSON HARRIS’S THE GUYANA QUARTETPage 154
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ENG817 · MODULE 1
The essence of a comprehensive provision of the units is to guide and ensure a painstaking and critical study of the sub-themes under each module. The module and units provide a wide and exploratory coverage of the course contents and course outline of the course.
What you should be able to do
- Define and utilize the concepts of diaspora and race.
- Produce critical readings of texts from writers of the Caribbean.
- Analyze how race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, migration, labor, and political economy are related to the historical development of various African diasporic societies.
- Analyze the relationships between specific historical events and contemporary writings.
- Exhibit an understanding of the relationship between literary production and social, political and economic issues.
- Understand the geography of the Caribbean and map connections between regional and diasporic social and literary movements and processes.
What it prepares you for
- Literary Critic
- Cultural Analyst
- Editor
- Teacher
- Journalist
- Education
- Publishing
- Journalism
- Cultural Heritage
- Research
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 4: Comparative Black Literature and Post-colonialism: Pillars, Periods and Themes
Unit 1: The Postcolonial Theory
The Postcolonial Theory requires understanding complex theoretical frameworks and their application to literary texts.
- Module 5: Postcolonial Feminist Theory: An Aesthetic Model for African-American and Caribbean Women Works
Unit 4: Developing a New Multicultural Feminist Model
Developing a New Multicultural Feminist Model involves synthesizing diverse perspectives and creating a nuanced understanding of feminist theory.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 51 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Historical Background to Caribbean Literature
Unit 1: Slavery in the Caribbean · 3 hours
Read the introduction to Caribbean literature and understand the historical context.. Identify key literary figures and texts from the Caribbean and its diaspora.. Analyze themes and arguments across different historical contexts and genres..
- Week 2Module 1: Historical Background to Caribbean Literature
Unit 2: Abolition · 3 hours
Examine the economic, political, and humanitarian reasons for the abolition of slavery.. Discuss the impact of abolition on Caribbean society and culture.. Analyze the role of key figures like William Wilberforce in the abolitionist movement..
- Week 3Module 1: Historical Background to Caribbean Literature
Unit 3: The Post-Emancipation Caribbean · 3 hours
Analyze the social and economic changes in the Caribbean after emancipation.. Discuss the migration of indentured Indian laborers and its impact.. Examine the development of education and cultural expressions in the post-emancipation era..
- Week 4Module 1: Historical Background to Caribbean Literature
Unit 4: Implication on Criticism · 3 hours
Discuss the implications of Caribbean history on literary criticism.. Analyze the views of scholars like Rose Acholonu on the impact of colonization.. Examine the role of writers like Derek Walcott in shaping Caribbean identity..
Unit 5: Major Writers from the Caribbean · 3 hours
Identify and discuss major writers from the Caribbean.. Analyze their contributions to Caribbean literature and diasporic literature.. Examine the themes and styles of their works..
- Week 5Module 2: Historical Background to African- American and Caribbean Literature
Unit 1: Fugitive and Ex-Slave Narratives · 3 hours
Explore the historical context of African-American literature.. Analyze the themes and styles of fugitive and ex-slave narratives.. Discuss the impact of these narratives on American literature and culture..
- Week 6Module 2: Historical Background to African- American and Caribbean Literature
Unit 2: Harlem Renaissance or the New Negro-Movement · 3 hours
Examine the Harlem Renaissance and its significance in African-American literature.. Discuss the key figures and themes of the New Negro Movement.. Analyze the impact of this movement on American culture and society..
- Week 7Module 2: Historical Background to African- American and Caribbean Literature
Unit 3: The Civil Rights Era and the Black Arts Movement (Black Aesthetics 1960s-1970s) · 3 hours
Explore the Civil Rights Era and the Black Arts Movement.. Discuss the key figures and themes of this period.. Analyze the impact of this movement on African-American literature and culture..
- Week 8Module 2: Historical Background to African- American and Caribbean Literature
Unit 4: The Post Modern Turn in African- American Literature and Neo-Slavery Narratives · 3 hours
Examine the post-modern turn in African-American literature.. Discuss the themes and styles of neo-slavery narratives.. Analyze the impact of this movement on American literature and culture..
- Week 9Module 2: Historical Background to African- American and Caribbean Literature
Unit 5: Contemporary Writers: The Literary Movements in African-American Background · 3 hours
Identify and discuss contemporary writers in African-American literature.. Analyze the literary movements and themes in their works.. Examine the impact of these writers on American literature and culture..
- Week 10Module 3: Caribbean Experience: Return Migration of the West Indians
Unit 1: How to Define Caribbean Literature · 3 hours
Define Caribbean literature and its key characteristics.. Explore the origins of Caribbean literature and its evolution in the twentieth century.. Analyze the themes and styles of Caribbean writers..
- Week 11Module 3: Caribbean Experience: Return Migration of the West Indians
Unit 2: Origins of Caribbean Literature and Its Evolution in the Twentieth Century · 3 hours
Examine the works of first and second-generation Caribbean writers.. Discuss the themes and styles of their works.. Analyze the impact of their writings on Caribbean literature and culture..
Unit 3: First and Second Generation, Caribbean Writers and Themes of the Works · 3 hours
Explore the themes of identity and belonging in Caribbean literature.. Analyze the search for identity in the works of Caribbean writers.. Discuss the impact of migration on Caribbean identity..
- Week 12Module 3: Caribbean Experience: Return Migration of the West Indians
Unit 4: The Search for Identity · 3 hours
Analyze the literary relevance of Caryl Phillip's works.. Discuss the themes and styles of his writings.. Examine the impact of his works on Caribbean literature and culture..
Unit 5: Caribbean Experience and Carly Phillip's Literary Relevance · 3 hours
Analyze the literary relevance of Caryl Phillip's works.. Discuss the themes and styles of his writings.. Examine the impact of his works on Caribbean literature and culture..
- Week 13Comprehensive Course Review
Final Revision and Exam Preparation · 6 hours
Review all modules and units covered in the course.. Prepare for final examination by revisiting key concepts and themes.. Complete any outstanding assignments and seek clarification on challenging topics..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key historical events and literary movements covered in the course.
- Develop concept maps linking major themes, writers, and texts.
- Practice essay writing, focusing on clear arguments and textual evidence.
- Review all tutor-marked assignments and feedback.
- Focus on understanding the social, political, and economic contexts of the literature.
- Compare and contrast the works of different authors, identifying similarities and differences in their approaches to key themes.
- Prepare concise summaries of each unit, highlighting the main points and key terms.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ENG817 about?
This course presents a comprehensive survey of literature produced by major writers of the black diaspora in North America and the English-speaking Caribbean. It focuses on literary responses to historical, socio-economic, and political movements over the last three centuries. The course explores themes such as slavery, colonialism, migration, identity, and feminism in African-American and Caribbean literary realism. Students will develop critical thinking and close reading skills.
How many units does ENG817 have?
ENG817, African-America & Caribbean Literature, has 9 units across 4 modules, over 177 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ENG817?
ENG817 carries 2 credit units, at 800 level in Arts.
Is ENG817 hard?
ENG817 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does ENG817 take to study?
About 45 hours of study, spread across its 9 units.
How is ENG817 assessed?
ENG817 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What do I need before starting ENG817?
Knowledge of major African-American and Caribbean writers Understanding of social, political, and intellectual contexts
What can I do with ENG817?
Literary Critic, Cultural Analyst, Editor, Teacher and Journalist.