ADEN 2005 Introduction to African American Literature

Students will explore key historical and contemporary narratives by Black writers that illuminate the complexities of race, racism, and identity in America. Through selected texts, students will engage with themes of oppression, resilience, and agency, examining how literature reflects and challenges societal norms. Key authors may include W.E.B. Du Bois, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and Ta-Nehisi Coates, among others. The course will highlight the evolution of conversations on race in Black literature from the Harlem Renaissance to present-day voices, allowing students to appreciate the diversity of perspectives within the African American community.