College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

B.A. English (African-American Literature)

African-American Literature

African American literature focuses on the literary work produced by people of African descent in the United States - an expansive and diverse body of literature that begins with 18th century writers such as Phyllis Wheatley and Olaudah Equino, continues through slave narratives, the Harlem Renaissance and on to the contemporary preeminence of writing by Toni Morrison and others, not only on the national stage but internationally.

Themes of this literature include the role of African Americans in American society as a whole, racism, civil rights, slavery and African-American culture.