NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
The City University of New York
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT
AFR 1321/7840 – BLACK THEATER- 3 credits AES CORE
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an introductory exploration of Black dramatic literature. It will include a historical overview of
Eygpt’s Abydos Passion Play to America’s Civil Rights dramas. Throughout much of the course, students will examine the ways in
which playwrights from Lorraine Hansberry and Leroi Jones to August Wilson and Lynn Nottage explore the complex social and
political realities of Africana people. In addition, students may have an opportunity to experience a theatrical production in New York
City. Handouts and films will also be used as supplemental material/support for the course.
PREREQUISITES: CUNY proficiency in reading and writing or proficiency in reading and concurrent registration in ENG 092W
REQUIRED COURSE TEXT:
Hatch, James V. and Ted Shine. Black Theatre USA: Plays by African Americans – The Recent Period 1935 – Today. New York: The
Free Press, 1996.
The required course text is available in the college bookstore. Required excerpts are on reserve in the College library.
RECOMMENDED READINGS:
Brown-Guillory, Elizabeth. Their Place on the Stage: Black Women Playwrights in America.
Elam, Harry. The Past in the Present in the Drama of August Wilson.
Fabre, Genevieve. Drumbeats, Masks, and Metaphor: Contemporary Afro-American Theatre.
Gates, Henry Louis and Nellie McKay, eds. The Norton Anthology of African American Literature.
Hamalian, Leo and James V. Hatch, eds. The Roots of African American Drama.
Harrison, Paul Carter. Totem Voices: Plays from the Black World Repertory.
Harrison, Paul Carter and Victor L. Walker, III.eds. Black Theatre: Ritual Performance in the African Diaspora.
Hill, Errol and James V. Hatch. A History of African American Theatre.
Hine, Darlene Clark and William C. Hine, eds. The African-American Odyssey.
Molette, Carlton W. and Barbara J. Black Theatre: Premise and Presentation.
Nottage, Lynn. Crumbs from the Table of Joy and Other Plays.
Shannon, Sandra and Dana Williams, eds. August Wilson and the Black Aesthetics.
Wilson, August. The August Wilson Century Cycle.
February 24, 2012
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COURSE CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Learning Outcomes
Assessment Methods
Use play texts, recordings, essays, and live
In-class and Blackboard discussions, papers,
performances to dissect the ways in which black quizzes, oral presentations, individual and
playwrights have contributed to theater and
group activities, and exams
drama;
Use black plays to critique race, gender, class,
and sexuality;
In-class and Blackboard discussions, papers,
quizzes, oral presentations, individual and
group activities, and exams
Explore the ways in which sociopolitical issues
and events, including but not limited to, The
Great Migration, Civil Rights Movement, Black
Power Movement, Feminist Movements, and
Hip-Hop culture have shaped black theatre and
drama; and
In-class and Blackboard discussions, papers,
quizzes, oral presentations, individual and
group activities, and exams
Analyze how Africana culture(s) have influenced In-class and Blackboard discussions, papers,
and shaped black theatre in America.
quizzes, oral presentations, individual and
group activities, and exams
General Education Learning Outcomes and Assessment Methods
Learning Outcomes
Assessment Methods
Develop oral communications skills;
Group activities and oral presentations
Develop critical thinking and writing skills by
examining and critiquing key elements in
black theatre;
Quizzes, in-class and Blackboard discussions,
papers and exams.
Develop an appreciation for and
In-class and Blackboard discussions, papers,
understanding of the critical characteristics of quizzes, oral presentations, individual and group
theatre and drama and the ways in which
activities, and exams
people of African descent have contributed
to the development of theatre and drama
over time.
February 24, 2012
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GRADING PROCEDURE & ASSIGNMENTS:
Attendance & Participation
20%
Quizzes, In-Class Exercises & Response Papers
25%
Final Presentation
10%
Midterm Exam
20%
Final Exam
Total
25%
100%
Various methods will be used to evaluate students' work throughout the semester. Attendance will be taken each day of class. Each
student will be expected to read the required text and all handouts on time and to make thoughtful contributions to the class
discussions. Students are to check Blackboard to review and address all discussion questions and announcements. Students are also
required to take notes during class. The discussions, quizzes, in-class exercises, presentation and examinations are all designed to
help students strengthen writing and critical thinking skills. Further details will be provided for all assignments. If a student misses the
midterm exam, final exam, or presentation without clearing his/her absence he/she will receive a zero.
CLASS CONDUCT: Students must arrive on time, in order to fully participate and receive full credit for attending the class
session. If lateness is unavoidable, the student is welcome to join the class, but he/she is expected not to disrupt the
session already in progress. Points will be deducted from the final average, if students are consistently late and absent.
Students must turn off cell phones and other electronic devices before class begins. Points will be deducted from the final
average, if students consistently allow cell phones to ring in class and/or consistently leave class to answer calls. In
addition, texting in class is absolutely prohibited. No one is allowed to wear headphones in class. No one is allowed to eat in
class. Please note plagiarism is the act of taking someone else’s words and passing them off as your own. IT IS A FORM
OF CHEATING! IT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! (View CityTech’s Academic Integrity Policy Manual:
http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/aboutus/docs/policies/CT_PolicyManual11_12.pdf)
CLASS SCHEDULE
Week One
Mon. 8/29
Wed. 8/31
Week Two
Mon. 9/5
Wed. 9/7
February 24, 2012
Introduction
Part I: Historical Overview - Egypt’s Abydos Passion Play to The African Grove Theater
Discuss “The Historical Precedent” from Drumbeats, Masks, and Metaphors, pp. 4 - 6 and
“Introduction” from Black Thunder, pp. xi - xviii
NO CLASS – COLLEGE IS CLOSED
Part II: Historical Overview – The African Grove Theater to Dramas of the Modern Civil
Rights Era
Discuss “Introduction” from Black Thunder pp. xviii – xxi and Black Theatre USA, Lorraine
Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun, Short Essay & ACT ONE, Scene One pp. 104 – 107
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Week Three
Mon. 9/12
Wed. 9/14
Week Four
Mon. 9/19
Wed. 9/20
Week Five
Mon. 9/26
Wed. 9/28
Week Six
Mon. 10/3
Wed. 10/5
Week Seven
Mon. 10/10
Wed. 10/12
Week Eight
Mon. 10/17
February 24, 2012
Discuss Black Theatre USA
Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun, ACT ONE, Scene One, pp. 107 – 111
QUIZ #1
In-Class Writing Exercise: Stage Directions
Discuss Black Theatre USA
Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun, ACT ONE, Scene One, pp. 111 – 117 and
Paul Carter Harrison, “Praise/Word” excerpt, p. 6 (Handout)
Discuss Black Theatre USA
Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun, ACT ONE, Scene Two, pp. 117 – 124
View I’ll Make Me a World excerpt on Hansberry
QUIZ #2
Discuss Black Theatre USA
Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun, ACT TWO, Scenes Two & Three, pp. 124 - 139
In-Class Writing Exercise
Discuss Black Theatre USA
Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun, ACT THREE, pp. 139 - 146
QUIZ #3
NO CLASSES SCHEDULED
Discuss Larry Neal, “The Black Arts Movement” on JSTOR database and Black Theatre USA, “Black
Theatre for Black People” and “Dutchman essay,” pp. 379 – 382
View I’ll Make Me a World excerpt on Jones/Baraka
DUE: PAPER #1 - STAGE DIRECTIONS
Discuss Black Theatre USA
Leroi Jones, Dutchman, Scene One, pp. 382 – 387
NO CLASS – COLLEGE IS CLOSED
Discuss Black Theatre USA
Leroi Jones, Dutchman, Scene Two, pp. 387 – 391
QUIZ #4
Discuss Black Theatre USA
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Leroi Jones, Dutchman, Scene Two, pp. 387 – 391 cont.
Wed. 10/19
Week Nine
Mon. 10/24
Wed. 10/26
Week Ten
Mon. 10/31
Wed. 11/2
Week Eleven
Mon. 11/7
Wed. 11/9
Week Twelve
Mon. 11/14
Wed. 11/16
View and Discuss Negro Ensemble Company
Presentation Exercise
Discuss Black Theatre USA
Ntozake Shange, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf,
pp. 331 -332 and 363 – 367 and
Elizabeth Brown Guillory, Their Place on the Stage excerpt
QUIZ #5
Discuss Black Theatre USA
Ntozake Shange, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf,
pp. 363 – 367 cont.
In-Class Writing Exercise
Midterm Review
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Discuss Black Theatre USA
“New Plays, New Ideas, New Forms,” “The Colored Museum essay,” and George C. Wolfe’s The
Colored Museum, pp. 449 – 455
BLACK SOLIDARITY DAY
Writing Exercise – Digital Schomburg
Discuss Black Theatre USA
George C. Wolfe, The Colored Museum, pp. 458 – 465
View and Discuss The Colored Museum excerpt
QUIZ #6
Discuss August Wilson, The Piano Lesson excerpt
View and Discuss August Wilson Documentary
DUE: PAPER #2 – CHARACTERS & CONFLICT
Discuss August Wilson, The Piano Lesson excerpt and Sandra Shannon, The Dramatic
Vision of August Wilson excerpt
Week Thirteen
February 24, 2012
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Mon. 11/21
Discuss August Wilson, The Piano Lesson excerpt
Quiz #7
Wed. 11/23
Discuss August Wilson, The Piano Lesson excerpt
Week Fourteen
Mon. 11/28
Discuss Lynn Nottage, TBA
Wed. 11/30
Discuss Lynn Nottage, TBA
Week Fifteen
Mon. 12/5
FINAL PRESENTATIONS
Wed. 12/7
Week Sixteen
Mon. 12/12
Wed. 12/14
FINAL PRESENTATIONS
Final Exam Review
Lynn Nottage, TBA
Final Exam Review cont.
Reading Day – NO CLASSES SCHEDULED
Week Seventeen
Mon. 12/19
February 24, 2012
FINAL EXAMINATION
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