ABOUT THE COURSE

This course examines the novel The Salt Eaters for an entire semester. This is one of the most significant novels in 20th century African American literature. Bambara’s Salt Eaters is unique to African American literature because it privileges and resolves gender concerns, as well as the double direction of the nationalist quest for new spiritual quality or the recapture of an old one, lost and buried in the African past. When reading Toni Cade Bambara’s work one cannot avoid noticing the influence of spirituality, feminism, Afro-centrism, and politics on her fictive process and content. The conflation of these elements equals what I call a sort of “spiritual wholeness” that actualizes Black Aesthetic goals of reevaluating Blackness, reconstructing the text, embracing innovation and evoking truth--without separating it from African American culture or Black feminism. In Salt Eaters we will explore Bambara’s unique blend of Black Aestheticism (Afro-centricism), feminism, and spirituality. If Sherley Anne Williams is correct that “Feminist theory, like black aesthetic, offers us not only the possibility of changing one’s reading of the world, but of changing the world itself. And like black aesthetics, it is far more egalitarian than the prevailing mode,” then Bambara’s The Salt Eaters is an enormous success. What is most unique about this novel is its use of multiple facets of African and African American spirituality and history to project a “Whole” African American experience.
As an approach to reading her novel we will examine how Bambara’s commitment to a Black Aesthetic incorporates feminism, numerous elements of Black cultural production (language, music African culture and spirituality) and community unity. One thing that will become clear is that the novel is masterful representation of Black Aesthetics and Black Nationalism, Black Feminists ideas and post-modernism.

REQUIRED TEXTS

The Salt Eaters, Toni Cade Bambara
Deep Sightings and Rescue Missions, Toni Morrison, ed.
Warriors, Conjurers and Priests, Joyce A. Joyce

PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE

Students must attend all classes; prepare for discussion by viewing and reading all assignments, and by completing all written work. I expect participation in class discussions and collaborative projects. All assignments must be turned in on time. Those papers turned in late will be lowered one letter grade. Assignments turned in after five days will not be accepted. Finally, students are expected to regularly check Blackboard for discussions and assignments (or modifications) in addition to what is listed here.
Students are allowed three (3) absences (excused or unexcused). Any absences after the third absence will result in the lowering of your overall class grade one letter (for example, from an A to B). Tardiness will also result in a penalty. Three (3) such occurrences equal one absence.

READINGS

I expect that each student will read closely for each class. Come to class having read assigned material, having thought about it, having a list of at least 3 questions and ideas; With assigned critical articles, you should assess the central idea of the essay. Also, come prepared to answer questions. The theme for each week is listed on the heading for that week throughout the syllabi. This will comprise the focus of our discussions each week-- within the scope of the assigned readings.

EVALUATION & TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Final grades will be based on regular class participation and working with peers in writing groups as readers and editors (25 points), presentation of your work (5 points) and on your papers: Final project (55); “Who is Toni Cade?” short essay (15 points). Please Note: the final paper should be 19-25 pages (not including notes and works cited) in 12 point font, double spaced, Times New Roman.