posted: 7/22/2008
|
Fall 2008 (session E) |
Ted Morrissey (CV) |
ENGLISH 234-70—Introduction
to Asian American and Native American Authors (3 Credit Hours)
I. Course Description: English 234 Introduction to Asian American and Native American Authors
is a course in which students study selected readings of significant Asian
American and Native American authors.
The course examines how cultural values and norms of a particular people
and of particular periods illuminate works of art and how the literature
contributes to a greater understanding of diverse cultures. Prerequisite: English 111 with a grade of “C”
or better. LITR 279; IAI
H3 910D & EGL 918.
II. Textbooks:
Chang, Lan
Samantha. Hunger.
Lesley, Craig, ed. Talking Leaves: Contemporary Native American Short Stories.
Welch,
James. Winter in the Blood. 1974.
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 Native American and Asian American literature.
2. To understand significant themes and patterns associated with writings by
Native American and Asian American authors.
3. To become familiar with key Native American and Asian 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 234 will
be able to . . .
1. Explore together and
individually the visions and values, the norms and the human experiences
embodied in the works of Native American and Asian 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 marginalized
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).
SCI’s
SmartThinking: http://www.sci.edu/academics/smart/index.html
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. If you attend only part of the class session,
you run the risk of being counted absent for the entire session at the
instructor’s discretion. 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 of 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; and 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.
Note that there will be
frequent reading quizzes, and these grades will be counted as homework even
though they are completed in class, because you did the reading “at
home.” Also note that you must be in
class at the time the quiz is given; you cannot make up a missed quiz, even
if you attend class on the same evening that the quiz was given. That is, if you arrive after the quiz has been
collected, you will have to take a zero for that 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 or rhetorical
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%. 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.
Grade Appeal Process
According to the SpringfieldCollege 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.
Drop Dates
August 25 - Last
day to drop with 100% refund
September 2 - Last day to withdraw with 25% refund
September 22 - Last day to withdraw from class
See Adult Accelerated
Calendar.
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.
Directions for Written
Work:
Keep all assignments,
formal and informal, prewriting, revisions, and final drafts until final grades
are received.
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.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).
|
Discussion
Series based on In Lincoln’s Shadow:
The 1908 Race Riot in Springfield, Illinois, by Roberta Senechal
de la Roche ~Optional
Reading~ |
For the first three weeks of
our course—Aug. 21, 28, and Sept. 4—the opening 90 minutes of
class will be held in the Beata Hall conference room, from 6 to approximately
7:30 p.m. You will be required to
attend the panel discussions on the 1908 Springfield Race Riot. You will not be held responsible for
reading Dr. Senechal de la Roche’s book, but you would no doubt get
more out of the discussions if you were familiar with the material. Our course focuses on the writings and
issues associated with the traditionally marginalized groups of Native
Americans and Asian Americans, whose national, historic experiences intersect
in meaningful ways with those of African Americans. On these three evenings, we will convene in
our classroom (D225) at approximately 7:45 p.m. |
|
Class
begins in Beata Hall conference room Week 1 August
21 Native
American Literature: from Talking Leaves |
Before
the first session, read:
|
|
Class
begins in Beata Hall conference room Week 2 August
28 Native American Literature: from Talking
Leaves |
Read: *
“The Bingo Van” (Louise Erdrich 82-99) *
Consider reading and contributing to the class blog on Blackboard. Reflection
on readings / Discussion / Quick Response |
|
Class
begins in Beata Hall conference room Week 3 September
4 Native
American Literature: Winter in the Blood |
Read: *
Consider reading and contributing to the class blog on Blackboard. Reflection
on reading / Discussion / Quick
Response |
|
Week 4 September
11 Native
American Literature: Winter in the Blood |
Read: * Winter
in the Blood (Chs. 22-Epilogue) *
Consider reading and contributing to the class blog on Blackboard. Reflection
on readings / Discussion / Quick
Response Prewriting
for first critical paper: Issues in
Native American Literature |
|
Week 5 September
18 Asian
American Literature: |
First Critical
Paper Due: Issues in Native American Literature (400 pts.) – make sure to
also upload your
paper to Blackboard
(requirement) Read: In class: Reflection on reading /
Discussion / Quick Response |
|
Week 6 September
25 Asian
American Literature: |
Read: Reflection on reading / Discussion / Quick Response |
|
Week 7 October
2 Asian
American Literature: |
Revision
of First Paper Due (optional) – Be sure to turn in the
graded copy of your original paper (requirement) Read: Prewriting for second
paper: Issues in Asian American Literature |
|
Week 8 October
9 Retrospective
of Entire Course |
Second
Critical Paper Due: Issues in Asian American Literature (400 pts.) – make sure to also upload your paper to Blackboard
(requirement) In-class Final Project & Presentation Due: Tracing themes common to both Native American and Asian American literature (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 (
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:
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 234 has been approved by the Illinois
Articulation Initiative as meeting the criteria stipulated for IAI
H3 910D & EGL 918.