This interdisciplinary course examines American representations of slavery, with special emphasis on accounts of the journey from slavery to freedom. We will first consider such historical material as slave narratives, anti-slavery fiction, and antebellum journalism. Turning to the present, we will explore how and why inherited representations are being reworked, drawing our sources not only from recent historical scholarship but from literary, artistic, and cinematic reconstructions of the story or image of slavery, and from current popular debates over the question of reparations. By studying how Americans have thought and fought over slavery, we will explore the broader contours and meaning of race, sexuality, gender, freedom, subjection, citizenship, and political agency in this country. Authors and artists considered may include Berlant, Burnett, Douglass, Equiano, Hartman, Jacobs, Melville, Morrison, Patterson, Piper, Rogin, Stowe, Walker. Format: seminar. Requirements: Regular class participation, several short essays, and a 15 page term paper. Enrollment limit: 25 (expected: 25). Priority given to senior majors in American Studies; other students may be admitted with permission of instructor, if space allows.