Class Description
This class will discuss classic Black literature and examine the protagonists through the lens of existentialism. Participants can expect to learn about anxiety, alienation, and meaning of existence in a world of injustice through the lives of Black males. These themes are universal as all humans have these questions, and through this course, all have the opportunity to read and discuss other matters of existence, consciousness, humanity, and self-liberation.
Brandon Stokes is currently the Public Humanities Fellow for Beyond Belief at the Newberry. He received his PhD in African Diaspora Studies from Indiana University Bloomington and is a former BMRC Short Term Fellow. His research interests include urban housing, the Black family, Black existentialism and Black cultural productions (film, literature and music).
What to Expect
Format: In Person
Class Capacity: 12
Class Style: Mostly discussion; participation-based
Materials List
Required
- Richard Wright, The Man Who Lived Underground. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2022. ISBN: 9780062971487
- Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man. Vintage, 1995. ISBN: 9780679732761
- Richard Wright, The Outsider. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2008. ISBN: 9780061450174
- Additional Instructor-Distributed Materials
No required reading for the first day.
A Brief Syllabus
- Introduction: Black Existential Thought in Context
- Richard Wright: The Man Who Lived Underground
- Ralph Ellison: Invisible Man Pt.1
- Ralph Ellison: Invisible Man Pt.2
- Richard Wright: The Outsider Pt.1
- Richard Wright: The Outsider Pt.2
Cost and Registration
6 Sessions, $245 ($220.50 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($245), Community Supported ($225), and Sponsor ($265). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
Having trouble signing up? Take a look at our step-by-step guide to registration by clicking here.
RegisterThe views and opinions expressed in this class and/or by the instructor are not necessarily representative of the Newberry. We aim to ensure that in our classes, participants can have respectful disagreement to foster critical thinking. This is a space to challenge and expand our own worldviews to work towards better understanding and appreciating humanity.
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