ENG32560 Writing Black: African American Literature and Racial Consciousness

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module explores the historical development of racial consciousness in African American writing from the nineteenth century to the present. With the legacies of transatlantic slavery and W.E.B. DuBois’s classic notion of “double consciousness” as central through-lines, the module addresses texts from across a range of genres: fiction, autobiography, drama, poetry, film, and theory. We will explore how black consciousness has been articulated in a variety of historical contexts, from slave narratives through the New Negro Renaissance and Civil Rights era to the contemporary moment of Black Lives Matter. We will also examine how blackness has intersected with other concerns, including class, gender, sexuality, economy, and political activism.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify key issues in the study of African American literature
2. Articulate the importance of (and challenges to) the idea of “double consciousness” in this literature
3. Explore the wider theoretical, cultural, political and artistic contexts surrounding African American literature in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, including the legacy of antebellum slavery
4. Display strong primary and secondary research skills – undertaking research, application of research, transmission of research
5. Demonstrate ability to discuss complex ideas in class and/or in written assignments

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

20

Autonomous Student Learning

180

Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Seminars with guided discussion and case-based learning
Online discussion boards for week-to-week content
Critical writing 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Plan for final essay Week 5 n/a Graded No

10

Continuous Assessment: Participation in Brightspace Discussion Board Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20

Essay: Final essay on agreed topic Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

70


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Online discussion board: Informal feedback is offered to the group through written engagement by the module coordinator, and through verbal comments in the classes. Essay plan: Written feedback is offered by the module coordinator on the essay plan of each student, and module coordinator is available for follow-up discussion in office hours. The module coordinator is available for individual feedback following the final essay assessment.