Examine Black American Literature with Dr. Justin Wert in ENG 254

In the 402 years following European colonization and the enslavement of Africans, the dominant literary voice in America has been extremely homogeneous. With the inception of Black literature, American literary spaces have benefited from a more diverse and intersectional perspective of life in the United States of America. At PVCC, Survey of African American Literature II (ENG 254) shines light on the multiplicity of Black literature. Taught by Associate Professor of English Dr. Justin Wert, the course surveys Black-American literary works ranging from the colonial period to the present. Students can expect to read and interact with a broad spectrum of African American writers including Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, and Maya Angelou. With a diverse set of literary pieces such as biographies, memoirs, poetry, slave narratives, and works of fiction, students will engage thoroughly with Black-American literature while also satisfying the PVCC writing-intensive degree-requirement.

When asked why PVCC students should take this course, Dr. Wert said, “Black literature is worth studying for a litany of reasons. The variety of literature helps one properly assess the historical story-arc of America. African-American literature acknowledges the rather arduous journey people of color have taken to tell their stories while also working to achieve similar constitutional freedoms compared to their European-American counterparts.”

According to Dr. Justin Wert, students should expect to encounter assigned reading, critical responses, discussion posts, quizzes, as well as two papers, during their time enrolled in English 254.