posted: 2/10/2008
|
Spring 2009 (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 is
a select reading 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 in particular. Prerequisite:
ENG 111 with a grade of C or better. LITR 279.
IAI H3 910D & EGL 918.
II. Textbooks:
Gilyard, Keith,
and Anissa Wardi, eds. African American Literature.
Morrison, Toni. Beloved.
1987.
Available at SCI's Bookstore.
Note: I will go
over much of this syllabus in class but not every word. It is your responsibility to read the entire
syllabus and ask questions if you do not understand any part of it. Being familiar with the contents of the
syllabus will enhance your performance in this course.
III.
SCI: The
mission of
BU:
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 232 will
be able to . . .
1. Explore together and
individually the visions and values, the norms and the human experiences embodied
in the works of African-American 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 African-American
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.
Academic Integrity Statement
Academic
and professional environments require honesty and integrity, and these qualities are expected of every student
at Springfield College-Benedictine University. In accordance with such
expectations, academic integrity requires that you credit others for their
ideas. Plagiarism, whether intentional
or not, is a grievous offense. Any time you use words or ideas that are not
your own, you must give credit to the author, whether or not you are quoting
directly from that author. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism.
Any
incident of plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty may result in serious
consequences. Penalties for academic dishonesty vary depending on the severity
or extent of the problem but are always serious.
The
following are consequences you may face for academic dishonesty:
·
a
failing grade or “zero” for the assignment;
·
dismissal
from and a failing grade for the course; or
·
dismissal
from the Institution.
Please
refer to the Springfield College Benedictine University Catalog or the Student
Handbook for a complete discussion of the Academic Integrity policy.
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.
Final Grade will be based
on a percentage of the total score: A = 90 to 100%; B = 80 to 89%; C = 70 to
79%; D = 60 to 69%; F = 0 to 59%. Note that the instructor reserves the right to bump up a
grade if the student demonstrates special effort in the course. Behaviors like perfect attendance, meaningful
participation in class discussions, and in general an eagerness to learn and to
improve one’s reading and writing skills could be taken into
consideration when calculating the final grade.
Incomplete Request
To
qualify for an “I” grade, a minimum
of 75% of the course work must be completed with a passing grade, and a student
must submit a completed Request for an
Incomplete form to the Registrar’s Office. The form must be completed by both student and instructor, but it is the
student’s responsibility (not the instructor’s) to initiate this
process and obtain the necessary signatures.
Student Withdrawal Procedure
It is the
student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by
completing the appropriate form,
with appropriate signatures, and returning the completed form to the Advising
Office. Please refer to the Student
Handbook for important financial information related to withdrawals.
Grade Appeal Process
According to the Springfield College Catalog, grade
appeals must be initiated 90 days prior to the end of one semester after the
course in question has been completed. The process for appealing a grade is
outlined below.
First,
contact the Instructor.
1.
A
student must appeal to his/her instructor in
writing (e-mail is acceptable) and provide specific reasons why his/her
grade should be changed.
2.
The
instructor must respond to the student in
writing (e-mail is acceptable) and provide a copy to the division chair.
Second, contact the Division Chair.
3.
If
the student wishes, he/she may then appeal to the division chair in writing (e-mail is acceptable) and
provide specific reasons why his/her grade should be changed without the
instructor’s permission. The student should understand that overwhelming
evidence must be presented to the division chair to prove that the current grade
is incorrect.
4. The division chair must respond to the
student in writing (e-mail is
acceptable) and provide a copy to the academic dean. Lastly, contact the
Academic Dean.
5. If the student wishes, he/she may appeal
to the academic dean in writing (e-mail
is acceptable) and provide specific reasons why his/her grade should be changed
without the instructor’s or the division chair’s permission. The
student should understand that overwhelming evidence must be presented to the
academic dean to prove the grade is incorrect.
6. The academic dean must respond to the
student in writing (e-mail is
acceptable). The academic dean’s decision is final.
Due to the accelerated
nature of the course, should you experience a medical condition which prevents
you from attending any class(es), appropriate medical documentation must be
provided immediately so it may be determined what, if any, accommodations are
reasonable or possible.
Drop Dates
March 23 - Last
day to drop with 100% refund
March 30 - Last day to withdraw with 25% refund
April 20 - Last day to withdraw from class
See Adult Accelerated
Calendar.
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)).
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 12
|
Before
the first session, read the following: Course Introduction /
Reflection on readings / Discussion
/ Quick Response |
|
Week 2 March 26 Folklore & Literature |
Read
before class: In class: Reflection on readings
and film / Discussion / Quick
Response |
|
Week 3 April 2 Jeremiads |
Read
before class: Reflection on readings
/ Discussion
/ Quick Response Prewriting for First
Critical Paper: Issues in African American Literature |
|
Week 4 April 9 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 16 Major American Voice |
Read
before class: Reflection on reading /
Discussion / Quick Response |
|
Week 6 April 23 Major American Voice |
Read
before class: Reflection on reading
& film / Discussion / Quick
Response |
|
Week 7 April 30
|
Revision
of First Critical Paper Due (optional) Read before class: Prewriting for Second
Critical Paper: Issues in Beloved |
|
Week 8 May 7 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:
Session Writing 25 pts.
First Paper 400 pts.
Second Paper 400 pts.
Final Project & Presentation 200 pts.
”Homework” 100 pts.
Total 1,125 pts.
IX. Americans with
Disabilities Act (
If
documentation of the disability (either learning or physical) is not already on
file, it may be requested. Once on file, an individual student’s
disability documentation is shared only at that individual’s request and
solely with the parties whom the student wishes it shared. Requests are kept confidential and may be
made by emailing aroberts@sci.edu
or by calling 217-525-1420, ext. 233.
X. Assessment:
Goals,
objectives, and learning outcomes that will be assessed in the class are stated
in this syllabus in Sections IV and VI. Instructor will use background
knowledge probes, one-minute papers, reflective essays and/or other Classroom
Assessment Techniques as deemed necessary in order to provide continuous
improvement of instruction.
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.