Despite very significant historical differences, South African and the United
States have undergone analogous periods of racial segregation and resistance.
Such recognizable symmetries have been amplified by writers/artists, which in
turn has yielded fascinating cultural connections. This multi-genre course will
trace the emergence of a twentieth-century South African/African American
cultural relationship by examining a variety of texts. Over the semester, we will
examine the patterns of influence between both populations in order to help us
understand the role of cultural texts in the political arena (in particular, international solidarity movements). In addition to comparative studies, we will examine literature and artistic works by Peter Abrahams, Richard Wright, Gwendolyn Brooks, Keorapetse Kgositsile, Bessie Head, Audre Lorde, J.M. Coetzee,
Gil Scott-Heron, and others.
Format: lecture/discussion. Evaluation will be based upon attendance and participation, reading responses, class presentations, one mid-term essay, and one
final research paper.
Prerequisites: Prior 100- or 200- level Africana Studies course or permission of
instructor. Enrollment limit: 20 (expected: 20). Preference given to sophomores
and juniors.
Hour: ROBOLIN