This module explores contemporary representations of African American experience ­– from literature and film to popular music and television – in the context of a longer history of African American cultural production. It pairs recent works such as Jordan Peele’s horror comedy Get Out, Jesmyn Ward’s novel Sing, Unburied, Sing, artist Janelle Monáe’s ‘emotion picture’ Dirty Computer and comedian Issa Rae’s HBO show Insecure, with others dating from the second half of the twentieth century. In examining these modern and contemporary texts in conversation with one another, we will explore how authors and makers work with and against established traditions and genres. Our discussion of issues of identity and inequity will approach race in connection with other forms of social difference, such as class, gender and sexuality.

• analyse a range of contemporary texts by African American authors and makers, in different media
• interpret the relationship between these texts and longer histories of African American representation and culture
• evaluate literary, cinematic, televisual and/or other texts in relation to a range of critical perspectives
• communicate their analyses through a creative form of assessment

The module will be delivered through a variety of learning methods which may include a combination of digital learning activities to support face-to-face sessions. 

Academic skills: this module will develop and practise skills in close reading and independent scholarly research. It will enable students to build upon their ability to formulate and articulate an informed analytical opinion. In studying the set texts, students will be encouraged to closely examine their formal, stylistic and narrative effects, to investigate their thematic and aesthetic preoccupations, and to contemplate the ethical and political implications of their representations of African American experience. They will also be encouraged to contemplate the connections and tensions between the set texts. In so doing, students will develop their ability to synthesise information and to refine their ideas into independent, thoughtful conclusions.

Employability skills: these include the ability to synthesise information, participate in group-based discussion, to negotiate different and conflicting standpoints, to communicate ideas and to produce clear, informed arguments in a professional manner. These essential skills will be developed through group discussions and targeted learning activities in seminars, as well as in the major assessment, a creative portfolio that will help students to enhance their skills in research, writing and argumentation.

Portfolio: 100%

Formative work to be submitted before summative assessment: you can choose between submitting, as appropriate, an essay plan/structure, synopses of essay topic options (if undecided) or sample paragraph/s; for creative assignments, you can submit working drafts of parts of your composition, as arranged with the workshop convenor.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:
As with School policy, failed or unsubmitted assessments can be retaken during the August resit period.

Indicative Syllabus:

Representing Race, Past and Present

• Introduction: Peck, I Am Not Your Negro (2017)
• Letters home: Baldwin, The Fire Next Time (1963); Coates, Between the World and Me (2016)

Nightmares

• Everyday horror: Kramer, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? (1967); Peele, Get Out (2017)
• Slavery returned: Butler, Kindred (1979); Ward, Sing, Unburied, Sing (2017)

Visions

• Revisioning the Past: Dash, Four Women (1975); Coste Lewis, Voyage of the Sable Venus (2015)
• Revisioning the Present: Burnett, Killer of Sheep (1978); Rae, Insecure (2016)

Futures

• Conclusion: Monáe, Dirty Computer (2018)

Content warning: please be aware that several of the books/topics discussed in this module deal with difficult themes (including graphic depictions of physical and sexual violence, racism, misogyny, homophobia and transphobia), which some students may find distressing. If you have any concerns about this, please contact the module leader for advice.