AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE
The Introduction to African-American Literature course at Leesville Road High School is designed as an English Language Arts elective. The class will not only study texts from or about the African-American perspective, but will also work to strengthen students reading, research, writing, speaking and listening, and language skills. The class, taught at both the Academic and Honors levels is aimed primarily at 11th and 12th grade students, however, it is well suited for any student who has met the requirements of English I.
The course uses the Norton Anthology of African American Literature as its textbook. Students will be provided a textbook for their use during the class. The textbook includes many poems, short stories, memories, and informational text that is not listed here. Note that listed texts represent the "jumping off point" for the unit. Please contact me if you would like further information about texts used in class.
The course uses the Norton Anthology of African American Literature as its textbook. Students will be provided a textbook for their use during the class. The textbook includes many poems, short stories, memories, and informational text that is not listed here. Note that listed texts represent the "jumping off point" for the unit. Please contact me if you would like further information about texts used in class.
Unit I: blackgirlmagicUnit I discusses the modernist use of magical realism and fantasy to examine the 400 year legacy of people of African-American history.
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Unit II: AfroFuturismUnit II focuses on the place of science fiction within the African-American canon of literature. Students will read works that connect past to present using tropes from speculative fiction, graphic novels, and sci-fi.
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unit III: hyphenatedUnit III examines how literary texts deal with the African-American and African Diasporadic identity.
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Unit IV: StayWokeUnit IV examines the role that literature has played as a form of activism. Students will read essays and texts that connect contemporary issues with the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Era.
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Unit V: DOYOUIn this final unit, students will work on independent text selections from the writer or artist of their choosing. They will also work to create an artifact representative of their learning in class. This artifact will be included on their digital portfolio.
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