Series Information:
Transforming Teaching

The absence of one of American writings' oldest traditions in the canon has produced a body of literature not only alienating to a large part of the population, but one which has impoverished itself of a broader representation of humanity. This book is written by teachers interested in bringing that traditional African American literature into the classroom. Documented here is the learning process that these educators experienced themselves as they read and discussed the stories and pedagogical strategies which would engage their students. In following these discussions between teachers and academics, one should be able to see how the teaching and learning of African American literature can be an exciting and challenging way of confronting and questioning pervasive cultural assumptions about race and gender. In this way, all students can bring their personal experiences and insights into the classroom. Given today's social landscape, conventional frameworks for teaching literature must be seriously revised to accommodate and address a growing multicultural population.