Survey of African-American Literature
Photography by Tyler Gaines.
Tyler Gaines, staff writer
If you love to write or want to broaden your perspective on the great literary works by African American authors, artists, and poets, look no further than the Survey of African American Literature class (ENG 254) taught by Associate Professor of English Justin Wert.
Wert has taught and studied literature for a while and is willing to impart his knowledge and experience in the study of African American culture. He believes it is important to know what they have done to impact literature and how it has changed over time.
“The class is about African American literature culture, music, some art as well with themes and connections that are relevant today,” said Wert, “I want students to have an understanding and appreciation for African American culture and literature.”
These themes and ideas can be categorized into the studies of realism, naturalism, and modernism. Modernism for example was the time of the migrations from rural to urban areas in America. Along with this migration came the varying forms of writing and jazz musicians and their thoughts on contemporary life in America at the time for blacks.
The class discusses philosophy and the thought processes of social justice and what it means to historically disenfranchised people in America.
“It’s important to have an understanding of where people are coming from to know how to serve them,” said Wert.
PVCC student Mitchell Johnson is currently taking Dr. Wert’s class. Johnson said, “It’s actually pretty interesting … I didn’t realize how much there was a community of it (African American writers) who knew someone at one point or another.”
Johnson says he learned a lot and even discovered one of his new favorite authors. “Richard Wright is probably one favorite authors now. Black Boy and Native Son are really amazing books,” said Johnson.
Survey of African American Literature is open for fall and summer registration.
