EN 272 - African American Literature II

Description
This course is a study of African-American literature from the mid-twentieth century to the present. Students will review the historical backdrop against which the literary landscape was created and read a variety of genres (fiction, poetry, drama). In order for students to understand the multiple influences on and within African-American literary expression of the 20th century, works will be read and analyzed within the context of the political, economic, and social perspectives of the United States.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: EN 101 (C or Higher)
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: No
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Pre-Writing, A.A. (General Transfer)

General Education Requirement:
Humanities
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
2. Communication: Demonstrate effective communication through listening, speaking, reading, or writing using relevant sources and research strategies, 3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge
Course Learning Outcomes:

Analyze and discuss primary sources (poetry, novels, short stories, drama, protest literature) in order to understand how African-American writers view the world; evaluate the similarities and differences between these writers’ experiences and one’s own experiences. (GELO 2)
Explain and evaluate the role of race, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic class in African American literature and articulate similarities and differences between different literary movements within African-American literature. (GELO 3)
Identify terms and major themes associated with African-American literature.
Demonstrate critical thinking by synthesizing primary and secondary research into coherent written or spoken documents that utilize key terms associated with African-American literature.
Explain how literature works as a tool to preserve culture and reflect on the human experience.
Demonstrate communication and inter-personal skills by engaging in discussions, small groups, peer evaluations, and collaborative presentations.
Demonstrate a working explanation of the relationship of African-American literature within the context of literature within the United States.

Course Outline:
This survey course will cover major movements in African-American literature from 1940-present. Students will read texts in a variety of genres by various writers (fiction, poetry, drama, short stories, protest literature, etc.). Visual arts/music may be included to provide historical context for the literature and supplement understanding of written texts. The course will include instruction about how to write about literature and use conventions of MLA format.

I. Movements in African-American Literature

Realism (1940s)
Naturalism (1940-1960)
Modernism (1940-1960)
Black Arts Literary Movement (1960-1975)
Postmodernism and Contemporary Period (1975-present)

II. Literary Research and MLA Conventions

locating and evaluating secondary sources
citations in MLA format
supporting interpretations of literature with support from credible secondary sources

III. Key Historical Terms and Lenses

Civil Rights Movement
Jim Crow
Brown v. Board of Education
Segregation (de facto and de jure)
Black Power/Black Nationalism
Political Activism/Protest Writing
race
gender
ethnicity
socioeconomic class

IV. Terms in Secondary Sources

African Diaspora
Vernacular
Double consciousness
Signifyin(g)

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 20-40%

Mediated discussion: 20-50%

Group work: 10-25%

Essays/oral reports/tests: 30-50%

Research (including academic service-learning option): 20-30%
Mandatory Course Components:
1. Major assignments should include one essay of at least 4-5 pages that incorporates at least one credible secondary source in MLA format.

2. Minor assignments/informal writings should include reflections on cultural differences and/or similarities between the reader and the writer’s experiences.
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: NA

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 103829
Course CIP Code: 23.01
Maximum Course Enrollment: 25
High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: English
Discipline: EN
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Current English Department faculty who hold at least a Master’s Degree in English or Education and are familiar with the subject matter are eligible to teach this course.

Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20220216T10:57:57
Course Review & Revision Year: 2026-2027