ENGL 559

Spring 2026 Part of Term 1

Part of Term 1
Jan 20-May 6

Seminar Afro-American Lit

SHOW FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE

Credit: 4 hours.

May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite: One college course devoted entirely to an aspect of American literature or consent of instructor.

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ENGL 559 class schedule data for spring 2026
	CRN	Type	Section	Time	Day	Location	Instructor	Section Details
	39298	Lecture-Discussion	X	9:30AM -10:45AM	TR	123 English Building	Mack, K	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 01/20/26-05/06/26 Section Info: SP26 ENGL 559 - Seminar in Afro-American Literature - Kimberly Mack - The Black Presence in American Rock Criticism - Evolving out of the blues and, later, rhythm and blues, with country and jazz thrown in for good measure, rock ‘n’ roll circa 1950s to early 1960s had a Black face, with artists like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and LaVern Baker leading the way. Yet, as rock ‘n’ roll gave way to rock during the second half of the 1960s, its Black origins were obscured, and rock culture became predominantly White. Similarly, Black writers who wrote about rock during the 1960s and 1970s have been largely forgotten. This course will focus on some key Black rock critics and journalists who were active during the 1960s (and a little earlier) through the early 1980s. These writers contributed their work to establishment rock music magazines such as Rolling Stone and Creem; Black publications; and monthlies, weeklies, and dailies that were not necessarily focused on music but offered reviews or occasional features about the famous rockers of the day. Students will also learn about rock ‘n’ roll history, with an emphasis on rock from the 1960s and 1970s, and they will engage criticism focused on race, rock, and American culture. Students will have the opportunity to write a short piece of rock criticism and a final seminar paper about a Black rock critic and their work. Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate - Urbana-Champaign.