AA/0101 (sec
1)
Special Topics in Afro-American Studies
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Professor: Terry-Morgan Course format: Seminar Number of respondents: 13 Total Enrollment: 29
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If you have a basic background in African-American history, particularly in the context of U.S. History and the Civil War, and if you like to study playwriting, "Voice Beneath the Veil" is a good course to take. Although there are no prerequisites, Afro-Am 9,10, would provide sufficient background.
Given that Afro-Am 101 is conducted in the format of a seminar, Professor Terry-Morgan did not lecture. Nevertheless, most felt that he was an effective facilitator of discussions and contributed valuable historical background. He demonstrated his wealth of knowledge and exhibited his passion for the subject. He was also available to the students outside of class when necessary. He was most praised for his efforts to get to know the students on a more personal level.
The workload was not intense, amounting to an average of three hours a week. Students read one play per class for a total of about thirty plays. In addition, they wrote a 20-page midterm paper, an 8-10 page final paper which comprised of a scene from a play, and a 15-20 minute original scene that was written with a group of students. There was also a final take-home exam. Although students devoted a considerable amount of time to the papers and the group play, students generally did not find Afro-Am 101 to be excessively time-consuming.
The students were glad to have taken the course because they felt that the material filled a major gap in their knowledge of theater history and dramatic literature. They found studying "black plays" to be a novel experience and consequently were satisfied with the knowledge with which they walked away from Afro-Am 101. Although there were still classes during reading period, the time was used to present group plays, which students found to be very enjoyable.
If you have any interest in plays and have somewhat of a background in Afro-American history, then take "Voice Beneath the Veil." The students thoroughly enjoyed the class and felt they walked away having been exposed to a new face of dramatic literature and American history.
View AA/0101 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.
