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One of America’s most interesting and versatile of writers is F. Scott Fitzgerald. Over the course of a highly productive career, Fitzgerald rode to fame on four novels and almost 160 stories published in the leading magazines of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Today, he is primarily remembered for his recounting of the rollicking, jazz-infused “Roaring Twenties” in his literary classic The Great Gatsby, published in 1925. As this course will demonstrate, Fitzgerald should be remembered for much more of his work, including his short stories, later novels, work in Hollywood, and the many films made of his work and life.

One of America’s most interesting and versatile of writers is F. Scott Fitzgerald. Over the course of a highly productive career, Fitzgerald rode to fame on four novels and almost 160 stories published in the leading magazines of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Today, he is primarily remembered for his recounting of the rollicking, jazz-infused “Roaring Twenties” in his literary classic The Great Gatsby, published in 1925. As this course will demonstrate, Fitzgerald should be remembered for much more of his work, including his short stories, later novels, work in Hollywood, and the many films made of his work and life.

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.