DESCRIPTION:

This course will examine the primary writings (protest pamphlets, speeches, slave narratives, and autobiographies) of major African-American female and male historical personalities and how their writings interpret God and Jesus Christ as an advocate for liberation and social justice.

To broaden ones historical understanding of how God operates within the American and African-American context to bring about social transformation via the struggle for social justice. This course will provide students with insight into the liberation themes that are fundamental to the spiritual/social preaching ministry of the African-American religious experience and the black church.

This course will consist of lectures, readings (including handouts), and discussions, meeting twice a week for two-hour sessions.

Collins, Patricia Hill, ed. On Lynchings: Ida B. Wells. Amherst, NY: Humanity Books, 2002.

Duster, Alfreda M., ed. Crusade for Justice: The Autobiography of Ida B. Wells. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1970.

Hinks, Peter P., ed. David Walker's Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2000.

Newman, Richard, Patrick Rael, and Phillip Lapsansky, eds. Pamphlets of Protest: An Anthology of Early African-American Protest Literature, 1790-1860. New York: Routledge, 2001.

Richardson, Marilyn, ed. Maria W. Stewart: America's First Black Woman Political Writer. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1987.

Washington, Margaret, ed. Narrative of Sojourner Truth. New York: Vintage Classics, 1993.

Hinks, Peter P. To Awaken My Afflicted Brethren: David Walker and the Problem of Antebellum Slave Resistance. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1997.

Painter, Nell Irvin. Sojourner Truth: A Life, A Symbol. New York: W. W. Norton, 1996.

Sterling, Dorothy, ed. We Are Your Sisters: Black Women in the Nineteenth Century. New York: W. W. Norton, 1984.

There will be a 1-2 page précis on 5 required readings (8% each totaling 40%) every other week, a 20-page final research paper (50%) written from a critical and analytical perspective (topics to be discussed in class), and active participation in class discussions/attendance (10%).

None.

Elective.

None.