Fall 2014 Course Spotlight: AMS 4823: Topics in American Culture: African American Literature

This Fall, Dr. Kinitra Brooks's African American Lit class is crosslisted with AMS. The topic this time is "The Supernatural in African American Literature." Her description:

Vampires and ghosts and shapeshifters…oh my! How have African American writers incorporated supernatural elements in their writing? How does it differ from that of mainstream literature? How does privileging the supernatural aid in these authors' examination of the intersections of race, gender, and class?

 Course Texts Include:

 Kindred, Octavia Butler

Let’s Play White, Chesya Burke

Ancient, Ancient, Kiini Ibura Salaam

Let the Dead Bury Their Dead, Randall Kenan

Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison

Brown Girl in the Ring, Nalo Hopkinson

Mama Day, Gloria Naylor

Stigmata, Phyllis Alesia Perry

Dr. Brooks's research focuses on constructions of black femininity in literature, film and popular culture, specifically comic books and hip hop videos. Her teaching interests include 20th-Century African American literature and film with a specific focus on black feminist theory, horror, and science fiction. She incorporates all manner of texts in her classes, including film, television, comic books and graphic novels. Many of her courses are cross-listed with African American Studies, American Studies, and Women’s Studies.

Please check out this intriguing course!