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CS92PROD
Writing Black Radicalism: W. E. B. Du Bois, C. L. R. James, and Richard Wright
AFAM 325
Fall 2011 not offered
Crosslisting: AMST 351, ENGL 320

In his influential work BLACK MARXISM (1983), Cedric Robinson charted a history of the encounters between Marxist thought and the collective struggles of black men and women in the West. Robinson highlighted the work of three intellectuals who most forcefully articulated a theory of black radicalism in the 20th century: W. E. B. Du Bois, C. L. R. James, and Richard Wright.

Each of these thinkers was committed not only to the theorization of black resistance and liberation, but also to the literary expression of their ideas. They experimented with form and genre in novels, memoirs, essays, and histories. This course will explore the importance of the acts and the processes of writing for these thinkers and the significance of writing to the larger project of articulating black radicalism.

Our method of inquiry will be interdisciplinary, combining the insights of literary and historical scholarship. Each week we will focus on primary texts, contextualized by accompanying interpretations.

Essential Capabilities: Interpretation
Students will explore, evaluate, and apply contrasting and complementary interpretations of texts.
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS AFAM
Course Format: SeminarGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Requirement for: (AMST)

Last Updated on NOV-09-2024
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