posted: 2/6/2008
|
Spring 2008 (session B) |
Ted Morrissey (CV) |
ENGLISH 232-70 – INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN AMERICAN
AUTHORS (3 Credit Hours)
I. Course Description: English 232 Introduction to African American Authors: select
fiction of significant African American authors. The course examines common
literary characteristics and historical, cultural and societal issues that have
affected the lives of African Americans. Prerequisite: ENG 111 with a grade of
C or better. BU LITR 279. IAI H3 914.
II. Textbooks:
Gilyard, Keith,
and Anissa Wardi, eds. African American
Literature.
Morrison, Toni. Beloved. 1987.
Available at SCI's Bookstore.
III. SCI Mission
Statement: The
mission of
IV. Goals, objectives
and outcomes:
A. Goals:
1. To understand the
chronology and evolution of African American literature.
2. To understand significant themes and patterns associated with writings by
African American authors.
3. To become familiar with key African American authors.
4. To make connections between various "texts," including but not
limited to print and film.
5. To develop analytical expression in both writing and oral presentation.
B. Common Student
Learning Objectives:
CK-1 Content Knowledge
(Lifelong learning): Know and apply the central concepts of the subject matter
CK-1 Content Knowledge (Lifelong learning): Use current research to support
assumptions and beliefs
CS-1 Communication Skills (Lifelong learning and leadership): Communicate
effectively in oral and written forms
PS-2 Problem-Solving Skills (Lifelong learning and leadership):Seek information
and develop an in-depth knowledge base, grounded in research
SR-2 Social Responsibility (Service and Leadership): Make ethical and informed
decisions
SP-1 Self-Direction and Personal Growth (Lifelong learning): Develop a sense of
intellectual curiosity
GP-1 Global Perspectives (Diversity): Recognize the importance of diversity of
opinion, abilities and cultures.
C. Course Based Student
Learning Objectives: Students who have successfully completed ENGLISH 230 will
be able to . . .
1. Explore together and
individually the visions and values, the norms and the human experiences
embodied in the works of women authors. (CK-1, SR-1, SR-2, GP-1, SP-1)
2. Develop an insight into female and male roles in society as defined by
cultures and as demonstrated in fiction from the viewpoint of women authors.
(CK-1, SR-1, SR-2, GP-1)
3. Examine various techniques used by authors to create meaning in texts.
(CK-1)
4. Develop the ability to listen to others' opinions, and to communicate one's
own opinion in class discussions, written work, and presentations. (CK-1, CS-1,
SR-3, GP-1, SP-1)
5. Develop the power of reflection and the ability to formulate questions in
response to literature and critical articles about the literature. (PS-1, PS-3)
6. Develop the ability to make critical judgments in response to literature and
to support those judgments through analysis. (CK-1, CK-2, CS-1, PS-1, SR-1).
V. Teaching
Methodology:
The classroom is
considered a discourse community in which students collaborate in the learning
process. Students will be involved in peer work, group discussions, pre- and
rewriting activities, and projects. There will be intervention in students'
writing process, and response to student writing, by both the instructor and
other students. To be successful, students must come to class prepared, which
means having all reading and writing assignments done before they are due.
VI. Course
Requirements:
Attendance: As in every
other class, absences will negatively affect your grade. To avoid class
disruption, students must be seated by 6:00. Arriving between 6:00 and 6:05
will be considered a “late” (three lates equal one-half
hour absence); between 6:05 and 6:30, one-half hour absence; between 6:30 and 7:00, one hour
absence; etc. Missing an entire class session equals 4.0 hours. Missing six hours is an automatic F, regardless of
a student's current grade.
Your goal should be to
attend all classes and to have an absence only when it is a true emergency. If
you know you are going to be absent (or late), you should contact me as early
as possible. This will not "excuse" the absence, but it is considered
the appropriate behavior in college. College is like a job in this respect: If
you were going to miss work, you presumably would call your supervisor in
advance – you would not simply fail to come to work, then wander in the
next time you were scheduled (if so, you would not be scheduled a next time).
Behavior: Be attentive to
the instructor and your classmates. Private conversations and jokes are rude
and disruptive. Turn off your cell phone too.
Work:
1. Completion of all
assigned readings and writings according to given deadlines.
2. In-class and out-of-class assignments.
3. Participation in peer activities, sharing of written work, and group
discussions.
4. Active involvement in mechanics of all writing projects.
5. Conferences regarding writing assignments as needed.
6. Final project.
VII. Evaluation
Criteria:
There are numerous
required activities for this course, and not all of them will be graded. Work
(generally described as “homework”) that does not receive a
numerical score, may
be given one of three grades: A check mark indicates an assignment was
completed in an acceptable and timely manner; a plus signifies that an
assignment was completed with special thoroughness and accuracy; a minus
signifies that an effort was substandard. Each check is worth one point; a plus
1.5 points, and a minus .5; the total will be multiplied by an appropriate
number determined by the instructor to establish a homework grade. Students are expected to complete all assignments,
graded or not.
Points will be deducted
for issues of misspelling and nonstandard mechanics according to the SCI English/Speech Department Guidelines for the
Evaluation of Formal Composition (unless the departures from
standard written practice are knowingly done for creative effect).
Late
papers will not be accepted, and each will be scored as a zero. Assignments are due
even if you are not physically in class.
If you do not turn in the First Critical Paper on time, you may turn it
in by the due date for the optional revision; however, you will not be able to
improve the grade you receive for this “revised” draft;
also, this draft must be submitted to Blackboard’s SafeAssign as if it were turned
in on time in the first place.
Plagiarism
– presenting the
ideas or words of another as if they are one's own – is literary
dishonesty and will not be tolerated. Nor will others forms of academic
dishonesty be tolerated. If the instructor deems that the plagiarism is a
willful attempt to cheat, the student will receive a zero for the paper with no
opportunity to revise, and the SCI administration will be notified.
Final Grade will be based
on a percentage of the total score: A- to A+ = 90 to 100%; B- to B+ = 80 to
89%; C- to C+ = 70 to 79%; D- to D+ = 60 to 69%. Note that plus and minus will
be affixed to the letter grade as deemed appropriate by the instructor based on
various factors, including attendance, work ethic, attitude, and overall
participation.
Incomplete
grades: According to the SCI catalog, students requesting an incomplete
grade for a class must have completed at least 75% of the course work. It
is my policy that students must make a request to me in writing no later than
one week before final exams explaining in detail why they cannot finish the remainder
of the coursework. Acceptable reasons are student illness requiring bed
rest or hospitalization, major family crisis, or circumstances beyond the
student’s control. I will only issue an incomplete grade
at my discretion.
Directions for Written Work:
Keep all assignments,
formal and informal, prewriting, revisions, and final drafts until final grades
are received.
If you opt to do a
revision of your first critical paper, you must turn in the graded copy of the
paper with the revision.
Out-of-class Paper
Requirements:
Each paper must be . . .
1. Typed (printed) in
12-point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced.
2. Presented in MLA style and format (see A
Writer's Reference (from ENG 111 or 112)), or another printed or online
MLA source, like the following:
http://www.library.ilstu.edu/assets/pdf/handouts/mlaprint.pdf
(print sources)
http://www.mlb.ilstu.edu/ressubj/subject/intrnt/mla.htm
(electronic & online sources)
3. Three to five pages in length (not including required Works Cited page) and
represent a "completed" paper.
4. Submitted to Blackboard’s SafeAssign feature.
Three Keys to Success:
* Attend all classes and
be on time.
* Turn in all assignments on time.
* Ask for help when you need it.
One or More of the
Following Will Lead to Failure:
* Miss class and/or
consistently be late.
* Fail to turn in assignments or to turn them in on time.
* Not asking for help when you need it.
VIII. Weekly
Assignments:
(Note: Syllabus is subject to change. All page numbers refer to African American Literature, except
those specific to Beloved in
weeks 5, 6, and 7)
|
Week 1 March 5
|
Before
the first session, read the following: In class: Course Introduction /
Reflection on readings & film / Discussion
/ Quick Response |
|
Week 2 March 12 Folklore & Literature |
Read
before class: Reflection on readings
/ Discussion / Quick Response |
|
Spring Break March 17-22 |
|
|
Week 3 March 26 Jeremiads |
Read
before class: Reflection on readings
/ Discussion
/ Quick Response Prewriting for First
Critical Paper: Issues in African American Literature |
|
Week 4 April 2 Statements of Feminism |
First
Critical Paper Due: Issues in African American Literature (400 points) –
make sure to also upload your paper to Blackboard
(requirement) Read before class: In class: Reflection on readings
& film / Discussion
/ Quick Response |
|
Week 5 April 9 Major American Voice |
Read
before class: Reflection on reading /
Discussion / Quick Response |
|
Week 6 April 16 Major American Voice |
Read
before class: Reflection on reading
& film / Discussion / Quick
Response |
|
Week 7 April 23
|
Revision
of First Critical Paper Due (optional) Read before class: Reflection on readings
/ Discussion / Quick Response Prewriting for Second
Critical Paper: Issues in Beloved |
|
Week 8 April 30 African American Literature: |
Second
Critical Paper Due: Issues in Beloved (400 points) –
make sure to also upload your paper to Blackboard
(requirement) In-class Final
Project & Presentation Due: Tracing a Theme through
Intertextuality (200 pts.) |
Grades:
First Paper 400 pts.
Second Paper 400 pts.
Final Project & Presentation 200 pts.
”Homework” 100 pts.
Total 1,100 pts.
IX. Americans with
Disabilities Act (
X. Assessment:
Assessment will be an on-going part of the course. In addition to
providing feedback on essays and homework assignments, the instructor will ask
that you complete a Quick Response form at the
conclusion of each class period. Your responses may be shared with the class if
the instructor determines that it would be useful to do so.
Instructor assessment:
You are invited to visit RateMyProfessor.com,
and give your instructor an informal evaluation. This is purely for the
instructor's own use; your rating has no bearing on his employment with the
college; nor will it affect your grade since it is completely anonymous.
XI. Illinois Articulation Initiative: ENG 232 has been approved by the
Illinois Articulation Initiative as meeting the criteria stipulated for H3
910D: American Ethnic Literature (3 semester credits) Examination of various types of literary works that reflect the
experience and construction of racial and cultural minority identity.