The authors chronicle developing and teaching a National Endowment for the Humanities-funded trauma literature seminar at a public Historically Black University. The course focused on how literary and visual art from different countries and historical eras address two questions: "Can people survive and heal after trauma, not just physically, but also psychologically?" and "If so, how?" Students analyzed how literature depicts suffering and survival and offers readers the opportunity to study the numerous ways individuals remember/confront trauma. The course was innovative because it paired ancient and modern readings, facilitated dynamic class discussions, required students to interview trauma survivors, and invited Holocaust survivors to speak to students.