Gender, Sexuality and the Black Romance Novel

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Overview

Subject area

ENGL

Catalog Number

336

Course Title

Gender, Sexuality and the Black Romance Novel

Description

Gender, Sexuality and the Black Romance Novel is a stimulating reading and writing course centered on the sub-genre, The Black Romance Novel and its influence on the highest grossing genre of popular fiction. Students will read and analyze Black Romance novels from the Regency to Contemporary eras with an eye toward the evolution and inclusion of Black women in the text who present a counter-narrative to
the stereotypes of the Jezebel and “angry black woman.” Students will engage in discussions and write critically about Black women in roles that presents her as a modern archetype and the Black man as her equal partner. Students will read and research some of the leading names in the Black Romance field and come to understand the nuances of the different sub-genres, such as Black LGBTQ+ and others. Discussions,
reading and writing will explore topics such as the sensual vs. the sexual, self-awareness, love as empowerment, romantic tropes, “open-andclosed door” romances, and the euphemistic language of the Romance Novel. Throughout the course, while building knowledge of the genre, students will work on developing the first chapters of their own novel, determined by their preferred sub-genre.

Typically Offered

All Terms

Academic Career

Undergraduate

Liberal Arts

Yes

Credits

Minimum Units

3

Maximum Units

3

Academic Progress Units

3

Repeat For Credit

Yes

Total Completions Allowed

1

Components

Name

Lecture

Hours

3

Hours

0

Course Schedule