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History of African American Drama and Theatre


Course Description

The emergence of a distinct and conscious African American theatre in the United States.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Extended versions of undergraduate assignments plus one 12-15 page research paper.


Athena Title

Hist African Amer Dram Theater


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

To develop working definitions for the terms African-American drama and African- American theatre. To gain working knowledge of representative theatres, plays, and practitioners. To examine historical events and changes in African-American drama and theatre. To examine issues of representation of African-Americans on stage.


Topical Outline

I. Roots of African-American theatre A. African retentions B. Early representations of African-American characters on stage II. The impact of minstrelsy A. Pre-Civil War B. Post-Civil War III. Early theatre companies and playwrights A. Pre-Civil War B. Post-Civil War to the Harlem Renaissance IV. Harlem Renaissance A. The New Negro B. Theatre of Protest C. Theatre of culture and experience V. Golden age of protest dramas, 1930-1950 VI. New directions: late 1950's-1970's A. Commercial venture B. Black Arts Movements


Syllabus