Project Description: Studies in American Literature/ Studies in Multicultural Literature in English

The courses ENGL 347 /ENGL 382 can be taught as a multicultural course on literature of the Americas and/or African American culture as it pertains to the written and visual works of the artists covered, the historical, political, and social contexts that produced the works. Due its relationship to the dominant discourse of American culture as a whole, either of these courses will contribute to the enlightenment of students who seek to study the interrelationships of art, literature, and culture and its relationship to American identity.

I traditionally teach literature in a wider spectrum that incorporates visual culture as well as the historical, political, and social conditions that produce any given piece of literature. The course will allow one to stretch the boundaries of pedagogical approach to reemphasize the artistic gifts of painters and other artists of African descent who, unless taught in an art class (and that is rare in many cases) will not receive the exposure they rightfully deserve in the overarching community of the humanities. Literary studies are expanding to include "cultural" studies as well, and this expansion requires instructors to be multifaceted in their approaches to teaching literature. I hope to build upon this interest to further enhance students' ability to read "texts" from various genres and from a multitude of perspectives.

In pairing the written texts with visual texts, students will not only get a further appreciation of the visual artwork itself; students will also be exposed to the manner in which the visual work expresses or extends the intellectual, political, and social concerns of the written forms of African American literature. Often these visual works express (in poignant fashion) that which cannot be expressed in words.

Students will be required to complete various assignments, essays, oral projects, group assignments, and a written exam. A "portfolio" component for students who are art majors who wish to take the class as well maybe added. Also, students engaging in the sociological impact of art and literature on the development of interactions amongst groups of people can, if they chose to, develop an independent study/survey that will allow them to use the results of this study for an "assessment assignment" in this course. My primary objective of this course will be writing, and the critical assessment of art, literature, and culture.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Back to Call for Proposals

Downloadable template for proposals (MS Word format)

For more information, contact bams-coursegrants@udel.edu.

Deadline for submission: Monday, April 17, 2006