Fall 2021

Remixing and Remaking: Adaptation in Contemporary Black Literature

Listed in: American Studies, as AMST-361  |  Black Studies, as BLST-361  |  English, as ENGL-276  |  Film and Media Studies, as FAMS-361

Faculty

Aneeka A. Henderson (Section 01)

Description

(Offered as AMST 361, BLST 361, and ENGL 276) Through a close reading of texts by African American authors, we will critically examine literary form and technique alongside the representation of race, gender, sexuality, and class. Coupled with our explication of poems, short stories, novels, and literary criticism, we will explore the stakes of adaptation in visual culture. Students will analyze the film and television adaptations of twentieth-century fiction. Authors will include Toni Morrison, Lorraine Hansberry, Alice Walker, and Gloria Naylor. Expectations include three writing projects, a group presentation, and various in-class assignments.

Limited to 18 students. Priority given to those students who attend the first day of the class. Open to first-year students with consent of the instructor. Fall semester. Professor Henderson.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: emphasis on written work, readings, oral presentations, group work, in-class quizzes or exams, artistic work, field work or trips, visual analysis and aural analysis. Students with documented disabilities who will require accommodations in this course should be in consultation with Accessibility Services and reach out to the faculty member as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations can be made in a timely manner.
AMST 361 - L/D

Section 01
W 12:00 PM - 01:20 PM CONV 308
F 12:00 PM - 01:20 PM CONV 308

This is preliminary information about books for this course. Please contact your instructor or the Academic Coordinator for the department, before attempting to purchase these books.

ISBN Title Publisher Author(s) Comment Book Store Price
The Bluest Eye: A Play Dramatic Pub Co Diamond, Lydia Amherst Books TBD
The Bluest Eye Vintage Morrison, Toni Amherst Books TBD
A Raisin in the Sun Vintage Hansberry, Lorraine Amherst Books TBD
The Color Purple Penguin Books Walker, Alice Amherst Books TBD
The Women of Brewster Place Penguin Books Naylor, Gloria Amherst Books TBD
They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing W.W. Norton & Co. Graff, Gerald and Birkenstein, Cathy Amherst Books TBD
MLA Handbook The Modern Language Association of America The Modern Language Association of America Suggested Amherst Books TBD

These books are available locally at Amherst Books.

Offerings

2024-25: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Spring 2016, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Fall 2021