Critics' Roundtable: Critical Theories and Approaches in African American Poetry

Containers:

Digital-Materials Preservica

Creator:

Ward, Jerry W., Jr. (Jerry Washington), 1943-, Joyce, Joyce Ann, 1949-, Nielsen, Aldon Lynn (1950-10-20), Rampersad, Arnold (1941-11-13), Thomas, Lorenzo, 1944-2005, Stover, Darrell "SCIPOET", Renegade, D. J., Evans, Mari, 1919-2017, Salaam, Kalamu ya, 1947-, and McDowell, Deborah E., 1951-

Scope and content:

The Critics' Roundtable, "Critical Theories and Approaches in African American Poetry," was held at the Grafton-Stovall Theatre at James Madison University on Friday, September 30, 1994 at 9:30 a.m.

Original 1994 Furious Flower Poetry Conference program reads, "The work of literary theory and of theorizing in other areas of the human sciences is to specify what conditions obtain among those who create, those who make use of creations, and the languages (or signs) that enable creators and consumers to negotiate in a world of social constructions. In short, theory is obligated to explain relations between people and artifacts in the contexts of history and culture. In that sense, theory is necessary for rigorous examination of African American poetry. How might theory advance the study and appreciation of African American poetry? Within the frame of this questions, scholars on the panel will be asked to address what kind of critical or cultural theory seems most appropriate for understanding poetry, how such theories influence interpretive methods and approaches, and how must theorists themselves grapple with their own historicity in light of African American poetry's evolution from orature to literature to newer genres that mix orality and literacy. The aim of the panel is to clarify some problems of theory and poetry as they affect various audiences (Jerry W. Ward, Jr.)"

This footage was originally recorded on 4 MII videocassettes.

Subjects:

American poetry -- African American authors
Poetry -- History and criticism
African Americans -- Poetry
Poetry -- Black authors

Names:

Ward, Jerry W., Jr. (Jerry Washington), 1943-
Joyce, Joyce Ann, 1949-
Nielsen, Aldon Lynn (1950-10-20)
Rampersad, Arnold (1941-11-13)
Thomas, Lorenzo, 1944-2005
Stover, Darrell "SCIPOET"
Renegade, D. J.
Evans, Mari, 1919-2017
Salaam, Kalamu ya, 1947-
McDowell, Deborah E., 1951-

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