Department of English

This course offers an overview of 19th century African American women writers. As a thematic approach to the texts, we will examine the various journey motifs presented. More specifically, we will look for the types of movement and travel that occur in the literature, the methods and motivations of such journeys, and, finally, the implications and end results of these movements. Moving chronologically through the materials, we will attempt to make some broad observations about some of the ways that journey works in the lives of Black women as presented in this small sampling of the literature. Authors may include Zilpha Elaw, Harriet Jacobs, Harriet Wilson, Anna Julia Cooper, Frances E.W. Harper, Victoria Earle Matthews and Elizabeth Keckley. Course work will include planning and facilitating a discussion, at least two essays, and short response papers.