Department of English

What is it that motivates women to go where they are not supposed to go? What defines the boundaries of how and where women should "be," and how do women traverse those boundaries? This course examines 19th and 20th century Black women's writing and 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. 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, Mary Seacole, Harriet Jacobs, Zora Neale Hurston, Nella Larsen, and Toni Morrison. Course work will include planning and facilitating a discussion, at least two essays, and short response papers.