Explore the complex interplay between invisibility, visibility, and the fantastic in African American literature. By examining 20th century neo-slave narratives through the lenses of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Fred Moten, Sylvia Wynter, and Tzvetan Todorov and with literary artists such as Octavia Butler and Toni Morrison, this course investigates the double-bind of visibility in African American culture, the subversive power of the fantastic, critical theories on blackness, nothingness, and the "overrepresentation of man" to understand how African American authors navigate the tensions between the seen and unseen, real and unreal, in their explorations of black identity and experience.

Prerequisites: Writing 2 or upper-division standing.

4

Units

Optional

Grading

1, 2, 3

Passtime

None

Level Limit

Letters and science

College
GEs AHI Area G Ethnicity Writing
WARE R T
Rudolph Ware
3.5
19 reviews

Lecture

GIRV 1116
M W
12:30 PM - 13:45 PM
0 / 38
ENGL 134IB Yanoula A Summer 2011 Total: 15
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21
3.5
HIST49A . Ware R T 4 Months Ago

Solid lecturer and made the material interesting to a STEM major. Definitely attend lectures, since he bases the paper+exams heavily around lecture material **that I couldn't reliably find online**. Readings can be long but just get the general ideas of them and you'll be fine. TA's grade most of work, but he'll curve if they grade differently

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HIST49B . Ware R T 7 Months Ago

I think that this has been the most interesting GE I've taken so far. I don't disagree that Ware is disorganized and goes off on tangents, but they're always correlated with class and help contextualize the information we are learning. He is evidently passionate about his work and his teaching. But, the readings can be crazy long, so be prepared.

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HIST49A . Ware R T 8 Months Ago

He is opinionated but the course is very unique and interesting information to learn- a midterm and final, one paper, no hw- worth it in my opinion

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HIST102BF . Ware R T 1 Year, 5 Days Ago

Doesn't know how to separate his own emotions from actual history. Would not recommend him and would expect more from a "history" teacher.

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HIST49A . Ware R T 1 Year, 11 Days Ago

More of an idealogue than a teacher. Overly obsessed with identity politics, antizionism, etc. So many other great professors on campus, skip this one.

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HIST49A . Ware R T 1 Year, 1 Month Ago

One of those classes you only hear about in a GOP tirade about the capture of universities by identity politics. In a history class intended to teach students about African history Professor Ware spent the majority of the class making no small point that white people are racist. I'm not sure what students are meant to take from this class.

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See all 21 reviews
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