In this module, students read, analyze, and discuss literary works in various forms and media written by African Americans. Beginning with works written by enslaved African-Americans, this course provides a survey of writings representative of Reconstruction, the rise of the “New Negro,” the Harlem Renaissance, black realism, modernism and postmodernism.

 

  1. Module Learning outcomes

 

Knowledge and understanding

At the end of this module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding:

1.      Discuss the content of texts by various African American writers

2.      Compare/contrast literary works through an analysis of genre, theme, character, and other literary devices.

3.      Analyze the structure of a given text for its plot and format, its cultural/social relevance, and its contribution to, or exclusion from, the literary canon.

 

Cognitive/intellectual skills/application of knowledge

At the end of the module students should be able to:

  1. Identify the historical periods surveyed
  2. Identify significant social and cultural situations that can potentially effect (or affect) an author’s work.

 

Communication/ICT/numeracy/analytical techniques/practical skills

At the end of the module, students should be able to:

 

  1. Select, analyze, and annotate information to be used in written essays
  2. Locate and sufficiently incorporate one or more relevant sources—one of which must be electronically retrieved—to support an assignment documented in MLA Style.
  3. List sources on Works Cited page using MLA format.

 

General transferrable skills

At the end of the module, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the social and cultural contexts for the surveyed works
  2. Discuss how the authors’ life experiences influence their works.