Ralph Ellison,His Influence(s)
Ralph Ellison and His Influence(s) Ralph Ellison is a pivotal figure in American letters. His fiction—most notably his 1952 novel Invisible Man—draws inspiration from an encyclopedic list of sources, from Benjamin Franklin’s 1791 autobiography to Norbert Weiner’s 1950 treatise on cybernetics. His oeuvre, in turn, continues to influence creatives like Percival Everett, Spike Lee, Jesmyn Ward, and Colson Whitehead, whose imagined worlds contain distinctly Ellisonian elements. In this course, we will explore Ellison’s fiction, criticism, and photography in this expanded context and learn why Ellison is, in the words of Timothy Parrish, “arguably the most important black intellectual after [W. E. B.] Du Bois,” and “the essential figure of twentieth-century American letters.”
Ralph Ellison and His Influence(s) Ralph Ellison is a pivotal figure in American letters. His fiction—most notably his 1952 novel Invisible Man—draws inspiration from an encyclopedic list of sources, from Benjamin Franklin’s 1791 autobiography to Norbert Weiner’s 1950 treatise on cybernetics. His oeuvre, in turn, continues to influence creatives like Percival Everett, Spike Lee, Jesmyn Ward, and Colson Whitehead, whose imagined worlds contain distinctly Ellisonian elements. In this course, we will explore Ellison’s fiction, criticism, and photography in this expanded context and learn why Elli …Read more
Professor Germana was a great introduction to Middlebury. Even without prior knowledge of Ralph Ellison, I never felt left behind because Professor Germana was always thoughtful about addressing questions and supporting all of the students (even those who didn’t talk as much). The course moved quickly, but expectations were clear from the first class. The progress-based feedback on our three research journals made the workload feel manageable. The class was challenging but very rewarding.
Professor Germana was a great introduction to Middlebury. Even without prior knowledge of Ralph Ellison, I never felt left behind because Professor Germana was always thoughtful about addressing questions and supporting all of the students (even those who didn’t talk as much). The course moved quickly, but expectations were clear fro …Read more
The discussions were very nuanced and detailed regaurding prolific writters like Ellison and Everett. The discussions were rich with background on the writers and Professor Germana did a great job introducing the class to Ellison and his prolific work: The Invisible Man. Germana is very passionate and does a great job providing insight into the readings given. The class is broken down into participation and mainly three papers (rather simple essays) and a final project (which combines these essays and one addition). The essays are given a demonstration by the TA and the final project allows you to improve your grades on each initial essay for full credit back. Overall, you are lucky if this is your first year seminar course as you learn a lot and it is rather easy.
The discussions were very nuanced and detailed regaurding prolific writters like Ellison and Everett. The discussions were rich with background on the writers and Professor Germana did a great job introducing the class to Ellison and his prolific work: The Invisible Man. Germana is very passionate and does a great job providing insig …Read more