Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

This module will provide a close reading of the dynamics of nineteenth-century American slavery, from both historical and literary perspectives. Such an approach will also illuminate broader studies on the nineteenth-century United States as well as histories and theories of gender and race. The first half of the module will analyze the writings of slaves and free persons of colour. The second half of the module will examine representations of slavery by white pro and antislavery activists. In these examinations, a variety of primary source material will be consulted: slave narratives, novels, political pamphlets, letters, speeches and interviews. The final sessions will engage with the memory of slavery in contemporary twenty-first century American society.

This module will develop students’ understanding of the social, political and economic history of nineteenth-century American slavery. Drawing out issues of narrative voice, textual mediation and audience, students will apply their close reading of historical narrative to illuminate processes of production, circulation and reception of representations of slavery. These writings, from both ‘history from below’ and ‘history from above’ perspectives, will be considered in the greater history and historiography of nineteenth-century American slavery.