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This course provides students with an introductory understanding of identity, focusing specifically on the concepts of gender and sexuality as they intersect with race, class, ethnicity, and other aspects of social location and identification. Students will analyze the appearance of gender and sexuality as integrated social concepts by reading and discussing contemporary American literature across multiple genres and media, learning relevant biographical information about the authors, situating the texts within their historical and literary context, and exploring the major symbols and themes present in the work.

This course provides students with an introductory understanding of identity, focusing specifically on the concepts of gender and sexuality as they intersect with race, class, ethnicity, and other aspects of social location and identification. Students will analyze the appearance of gender and sexuality as integrated social concepts by reading and discussing contemporary American literature across multiple genres and media, learning relevant biographical information about the authors, situating the texts within their historical and literary context, and exploring the major symbols and themes present in the work.

“An exploration of concepts of justice, higher law, customary law and written law expressed through works of fiction and non-fiction.”

“An exploration of concepts of justice, higher law, customary law and written law expressed through works of fiction and non-fiction.”

This introductory course on African American dramatic literature explores the complex ways in which the black experience is constructed and presented by playwrights. In order to examine who or what informs contemporary Black playwrights, this course is divided into three parts. First, it will include a historical overview of early Black theatre beyond and within the United States. Second, it will analyze how contemporary playwrights have been influenced by Lorraine Hansberry, Leroi Jones, and Ntozake Shange. Third, it will consider the extent to which contemporary Black playwrights use theatre and performance to examine the social and political realities of Africana people. During the semester, students may have an opportunity to experience a theatrical production in New York City.

This introductory course on African American dramatic literature explores the complex ways in which the black experience is constructed and presented by playwrights. In order to examine who or what informs contemporary Black playwrights, this course is divided into three parts. First, it will include a historical overview of early Black theatre beyond and within the United States. Second, it will analyze how contemporary playwrights have been influenced by Lorraine Hansberry, Leroi Jones, and Ntozake Shange. Third, it will consider the extent to which contemporary Black playwrights use theatre and performance to examine the social and political realities of Africana people. During the semester, students may have an opportunity to experience a theatrical production in New York City.