This course is an introduction to some of the theoretical, cultural and political contexts of twentieth-century African American literary production. Spanning from the “New Negro” era of the 1920s, to the “postmodern” period of the 1980s and 90s, our goal will be to examine how various authors respond to the paradigms of an African American literary tradition. In part, we will trace concerns over aesthetics, defining black identity and the meaning of community. We will also be attentive to how questions of race intersect with concerns over gender, sexuality, class and nationality. In addition to a course packet, texts tentatively include: Nella Larsen, Quicksand; Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man; James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room; Octavia Butler, Kindred; Andrea Lee, Sarah Phillips; Paul Beatty, The White Boy Shuffle; Danzy Senna, Caucasia.