ENGL 333 - Just Sayin’: The African American Essay

FC ARHU CD WINT

4 credits
The essay, initiated in the 16th century by Montaigne, has been a fluid (formless?) and expressive genre. In contrast to the academic article, the essay invites provisional, inductive, and sometimes unruly thinking in both writer and reader, with the rules of evidence often suspended. The genre has been central to the African American intellectual tradition, and this course examines major moments in the history and art of such turns to the essay as well as related critical theory. Students will be encouraged to try their own rigorous experimental writing.

Prerequisites: two 200-level courses.