PSCI 206(F) Memoirs of African American Social Movements (Same as African-American Studies 206 and Leadership Studies 206) (W)*

This course explores African American political theory and practice through the lens of memoir. Beginning with the slave narrative genre, autobiographies of African American activists have served as important tools for organizing support for social movements, providing historical evidence of African American experiences and challenging public policies that affect the African American community. In addition, memoirs have provided an alternative space for African American voices to be heard when they have been excluded or ignored by academic, media and political institutions. Throughout this course, we will examine the history of African American social movements through the life stories of activists such as Harriet Tubman, Paul Robeson, Malcolm X, Assata Shakur and Audre Lorde. We will also observe how these texts reveal concerns that are common to historically marginalized groups about the meaning of autonomy, freedom, justice, authenticity and collective consciousness. In addition, we will consider how personal experiences of race, class, gender, sexuality and citizenship influence various forms of political participation. Last, we will interrogate the subjectivity and distortion of fact that are often found in even the most well-intentioned memoirs. Format: seminar. Requirements: consistent class participation, one fifteen-page research paper, one twenty-page memoir and one take-home final exam. No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 18 (expected: 18). Preference given to sophomores and juniors. American Politics and Political Theory Subfields

Hour: HAYES