ENGL3812 · English

Critical Race Theory and Literature: The Power of Narratives and Counter Storytelling

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

Critical Race Theory scholarship is grounded in and privileges thesenseof reality that reflects the distinctive experiences of people of color. Critical Race Theory scholar Edward Taylor notes that "CRT scholars often use storytelling, narrative, autobiography, and parable as a way to expose and challenge social constructions of race. It makes use of the experience of people negatively affected by racism as a central, validating data point. CRT thusembraces this subjectivity of perspective and openly acknowledges that perceptionsof truth, fairness and justice reflect the mindset of the knower (2009, p. 8.) Starting from this premise about the power of narratives, this course will examine the ways in which literary studies have informed Critical Race Theory and the ways that Critical Race Theory can deepen our understanding of literary texts. The course will provide an overview of the writings and scholars in the field of CRT such as Derrick Bell, Patricia Hill Collins, Kimberle Crenshaw and Richard Delgado. The course will also use CRT as a theoretical framework to analyze and broaden our understanding of texts by authors such as Toni Morrison, Colson Whitehead, Octavia Butler, Claudia Rankine and Clint Smith.