This lecture and discussion course seeks to examine the genre of slave narrative from its genesis in the 1740's to 1865. A wide variety of narratives will be read: canonical and non-canonical, English and North American, book-length to a few pages, and narratives written by men and women. General issues to be explored in this course include the historical, social, legal and literary developments that shaped the slave narrative during its "century" of existence. More specifically, we will discuss both contemporary and modern criticism of individual narratives in addition to examining the themes found within the narratives themselves. Some of the narratives that may be included are those of Stephen Smith, Cato, Joseph Mountain, Eleanor Eldridge, Mary Prince, Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Sally Williams, William and Ellen Craft, Olaudah Equiano, Aaron, Mahommah G. Baquaqua, Venture Smith, Henry Black, Mrs. Chloe Spear, William Wells Brown, Abduhl Rahhahman, and John Joyce.

Format: seminar, discussion. Requirements include class participation, several short essays, and an 8- to 10-page final paper.

Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 15). Groups A and D

Hour: MEARS