Course Descriptions

ENG 210 - Literature of the Black Experience

3 Credits

Literature of the Black Experience will highlight the cultural, historical, and linguistic traditions of people of African ancestry across the Black Diaspora through study of intersecting historical, racial, social, and political movements. Through critical inquiry and analysis, students will cultivate an awareness of race, class, gender, culture, language, power, erasure, and other tenets of Black identity. Selected works may include oral histories, slave narrative, song, poetry, speeches, music, photography, and essay. The course will also center Black joy to combat racialized trauma and to offer cultural celebration as resistance.

Prerequisite(s): English 101 with a C or better, placement into English 200, or instructor permission.

New SUNY General Education: SUNY - Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice, SUNY - Humanities

Retiring SUNY General Education: SUNY-H - Humanities (SHUM)

MCC General Education: MCC-AH - Arts and Humanities (MAH)

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Interrogate the construction of Black identity through the lens of race, gender, social class, and/or language.
2. Discuss the social, historical, political, and cultural significance of Black authorship.
3. Analyze various genres of Black literature through relevant literary criticism.
4. Write a thesis-driven essay using primary and secondary sources.
5. Apply appropriate formal conventions when writing about literature.

Course Offered Fall, Spring

Use links below to see if this course is offered:
Fall Semester 2024
Intersession 2025
Spring Semester 2025