This course features the study of autobiography, fiction, poetry, and drama by a variety of African American writers. Students will investigate key themes and tropes in the tradition, and will consider how race, gender, class, sexuality, and geography intersect to create diversity of styles, genres, and motifs within Black American literature. By the semesters end, students will be able to analyze and compare the different works studied, with special attention to the dynamics of history, culture, and production of literary texts within the African American community of writers.