21st Century African American Literature Syllabus

21st century African American literature offers a dynamic and diverse landscape of voices, perspectives, and narratives. This syllabus explores contemporary works that engage with themes of race, identity, gender, sexuality, class, and history, reflecting the evolving experiences of Black individuals in the United States and beyond.

Course Objectives

This syllabus aims to:

• Introduce students to major writers, genres, and literary movements in 21st century African American literature.
• Develop critical thinking skills for analyzing literary texts through the lens of race, ethnicity, and representation.
• Examine how contemporary Black writers engage with historical legacies of slavery, segregation, and the Civil Rights Movement.
• Explore the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and class in shaping Black experiences.
• Foster an appreciation for the richness and complexity of African American literary traditions.

Required Texts

• Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad (2016)
• Jesmyn Ward, Sing, Unburied, Sing (2017)
• Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me (2015)
• Jacqueline Woodson, Red at the Bone (2019)
• Ocean Vuong, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous (2019)
• Selected short stories and poems (available online or through course reader)

Course Schedule

Week 1: Introduction to 21st Century African American Literature

• What defines this era?
• Major themes and trends

Week 2: The Legacy of History: Trauma, Memory, and Resistance

• Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad

Week 3: The Power of Place: Region, Identity, and Belonging

• Jesmyn Ward, Sing, Unburied, Sing

Week 4: Race and the American Dream: Inequality, Opportunity, and Justice

• Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me

Week 5: Family Matters: Love, Loss, and Intergenerational Trauma

• Jacqueline Woodson, Red at the Bone

Week 6: Gender and Sexuality: Challenging Norms, Embracing Fluidity

• Ocean Vuong, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

Week 7: The Poetics of Resistance: Language, Form, and Social Change

• Selected poems by Tracy K. Smith, Ross Gay, Danez Smith

Week 8: The Short Story Cycle: Exploring Multiplicity and Interconnectedness

• Selected short stories by Edwidge Danticat, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Dinaw Mengestu

Week 9: The Graphic Novel: Visual Storytelling and the Black Experience

• Alison Bechdel, Fun Home (2006)

Week 10: African American Literature in a Global Context

• Exploring connections and influences across borders

Week 11: 21st Century Adaptations: Film, Television, and Stage

• Discussion of recent adaptations of African American literary works

Week 12: Student Presentations and Final Exam Review

Assessment

• Class Participation (20%)
• Midterm Exam (30%)
• Final Research Paper (25%)
• Presentation (25%)

This 21st Century African American Literature Syllabus provides a framework for exploring the dynamic and diverse voices shaping contemporary literature.