Fall 2008

E 376M • Contemporary African American Women's Fiction

Course Description

SPECULATIVE FICTION OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA--
In this course, we will examine the novels, films, and short stories of women of African descent produced from the 1970s to the present. We will focus on issues of imagination and the creation of spectacular images of the past and the future. Considering the past violence and violations suffered under systems of racism, misogyny and homophobia, what would a utopia or a dystopia look like? How does the collective experience of trauma effect our visions of utopia? In this course, we will use the work of history and psychoanalytic, cultural, queer and feminist theories to assist our exploration of these questions and issues.

Grading Policy

4 Short 2-pg Essays Based on Questions and Close Readings of Required Texts 20%
2 Short 5-pg Essays 30%
Group Presentation and 4-pg paper 20%
8-10-pg Research Paper 20%
Attendance and Participation 10%

Texts

Zami by Audre Lorde
Meridian by Alice Walker
Corregidora by Gayle Jones
Kindred, by Octavia Butler
Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez
Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat
Getting Mother's Body by Suzanne Lori Parks

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