ENGH 202: Texts and Contexts

ENGH 202-018: Blackness, Protest, and the Public Sphere
(Fall 2017)

07:20 PM to 10:00 PM W

Section Information for Fall 2017

Across a timeline of American Culture, the unique positioning of black Americans as commodity and then unequal citizens has produced generations of protest texts variously inserted within the public sphere.  Any any particular point in the evolution of this nation the "race problem," as W.E.B. DuBois described it, can be examined as a notion against which the lives of all of America's citizens are in whole or in part, understood; indeed, blackness as a concept, might be described as one of America's most enduring dialogues animating the public sphere.

The course studies literary texts within the framework of culture.  Recent events involving deadly encounters between black people and law enforcement have excited a tradition of protest and interrogations of blackness in public discourse.  Such conversations serve as an opportunity to return to literature for insight, instruction, and perhaps even epiphany.  While even an ambitious attempt at a comprehensive survey would prove ineffective, the course content will sample representative texts from 200 years of black protest to locate recursive themes and tropes.

Anchor texts include John Edgar Wideman, Sent For You Yesterday; Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon; Spike Lee, Do the Right Thing; Claudia Rankine, Citizen; Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me; Gloria Naylor, Linden Hills; and Charles Blow, Fire Shut Up In My Bones.  As students encounter each of the various texts, which will include narrative literature, speech, film, music, television, and interactive digital media, the course will consistently inquire how racial identity informs culture, how message affects history, and how technology engages audience.  Major assessments include two papers, a midterm, and a final exam.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Studies literary texts within the framework of culture. Examines texts within such categories as history, gender, sexuality, religion, race, class, and nation. Notes: Builds on reading and writing skills taught in ENGH 101. May be repeated within the term.
Mason Core: Literature
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: 3 credits of 100-level English.
Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Lecture, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

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