MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE-ENGL 3501-01 (CRN 52640 )

Summer 2007— TR 1:30-3:50pm—G213 (A&S Bldg)

 

Dr. Brigitte Byrd                                                           Office: A&S 210M
brigittebyrd@clayton.edu                                              Office Phone: (678) 466-4556

http://a-s.clayton.edu/bbyrd/Homepage.htm                   Office hours: TBA

                                                                                                (and by appointment)

                                                                         

Text (required)

Evidence of Red, by LeAnne Howe

Wind in a Box, by Terrance Hayes

Maus I, by Art Spiegelman

The Night My Mother Met Bruce Lee, by Paisley Rekdal

Love! Valor! Compassion! & A Perfect Ganesh, by Terrence McNally

Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri

Other materiel (required)

A notebook

Notebook Computer Requirement

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers

Student notebook computers will be used occasionally in the classroom. Computers are required to access course materials and to communicate with me.  Access to the internet is mandatory.

Catalog Description

Primary focus on texts by members of one or more traditionally marginalized cultural groups within the United States and with attention to historical and theoretical aspects. Pre-Requisites:

 

ENGL 1102 with a minimum US grade of C

And

ENGL 2111 with a minimum US grade of C

Or

ENGL 2112 with a minimum US grade of C

Or

ENGL 2121 with a minimum US grade of C

Or

ENGL 2122 with a minimum US grade of C

Or

ENGL 2131 with a minimum US grade of C

Or

ENGL 2132 with a minimum US grade of C

Course Objectives

This course is designed to increase and deepen our exposure to and understanding of American minorities through the work of representatives of American minorities.  We will read short stories, essays, poems, plays, and even a graphic novel by authors such as LeAnne Howe, Terrance Hayes, Paisley Rekdal, Art Spiegelman, Terence McNally, and Jhumpa Lahiri.  Focusing on these authors will present us with a very contemporary perspective on the history, values, and cultures of American minorities.

Late work Policy

I do not accept late work. Late work will receive a 0 unless arrangements are made between us before a planned absence or immediately after class, in the case of a personal emergency.  Once we have made arrangements, you will turn the assignment in question directly to me.

University Policies

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibility (see link below) http://as.clayton.edu/BasicUndergraduateStudentResponsibilities.htm

University Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

Attendance Policy (specific to this course)

Attendance is expected for all class periods.  An excused absence is an absence for which you provide me with a note from your doctor or other competent authority.  Any absence after 1 excused absence will affect your participation grade.  After 3 excused or unexcused absences, your overall grade for the course will drop one letter grade then one additional letter grade for each additional absence.

Plagiarism

Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. Plagiarism is one of the most common forms of academic misconduct. It will not be tolerated.  Plagiarism is a counterproductive, non-writing behavior that is unacceptable in a course intended to aid the growth of individual writers.  Plagiarism is representing another’s work or part thereof, be it published or unpublished, as one’s own. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved.  All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs.   Judicial procedures are described at

http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentlife/judicial_affairs.htm.

Disability Services

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact 
the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 678-466-5445. disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Journal & Notes

Using the required notebook, you will write down notes, thoughts, and excerpts from each text assigned.  You will develop and write down at least two questions for discussion as you read each text and share them with the rest of class in preparation for a potential essay.  You will also develop one assigned question for each text assigned in this journal at the end of the section concerning a particular text.

Presentations

Each student will be in charge of two presentations on two different texts over the course of the semester.  By “presentation,” I mean that a student will address a question related the American minority in question in a particular text.  For instance, a good start would be to ask oneself, “I am reading Evidence of Red which is written by LeAnne Howe, an enrolled citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.  What do I know about Native Americans?  What was I taught about the history of this People?  What do I know about their culture?  Their beliefs? Their traditions? What do I know about Native Americans today?  About the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma ? Etc.”  Once you have assessed honestly what you know already, you will probably realize that you need to do a bit of research to answer some of these questions.  You may also realize that you know very little about this People.  Ask yourself why? Evidently, this has to do with their being an American minority and maybe their voices having been silenced. . . .

Essays

You will write two short essays over the term.  As we read the assigned texts, we will develop questions, and you will have to develop one question for each individual essay.  The first essay will focus on either one of the first three texts assigned, and the second one on either one of the last three texts assigned.  Follow MLA format.  These essays will be structured and include quotes from the text in question.  No outside sources necessary a priori.  Length 2 to 2 1/2 pages maximum (font 12, Times New Roman, double-spaced). 

Evaluation

In order to pass this course (C), students will complete all the written and oral assignments, including papers, presentations, and end of the term performances.

Participation                 10%

Journal & Notes          20%

Presentations                20%

Performance (group)     10%

Essay 1 (midterm)         20%

Essay 2 (final)               20%                            

Grading

A         90-100 (excellent)

B          80-89 (above average)

C         70-79 (average—i.e. you did everything, but the quality of the work is average)

D         60-69 (you probably forgot to complete some assignments)      

F          60 and below

Important dates

Keep track of the class  schedule for presentations.  Each student is required to sign up for two individual presentations.

6/21     Journal & Notes due, essay 1 (midterm) due

6/25     Midterm progress report

7/19     Journal & Notes due, Essay 2 (final) due

7/26     Performances
Course Schedule

 

On the first day a new book is assigned on the syllabus, students are expected to come to class prepared and having read the entire book—except for Evidence of Red which must be read by the first meeting of week 2.

 

Bring your notebook to all class meetings

 

Week 1

5/29     Introduction of course and to peers

5/31     Evidence of Red / LeAnne Howe

Week 2

6/05     Evidence of Red, presentations __________, __________

6/07     Evidence of Red, presentations __________, __________, ___________  

Week 3

6/12     Wind in a Box / Terrance Hayes, presentations __________, __________    

6/14     Wind in a Box, presentations __________, __________, ___________

Week 4

6/19     The Night My Mother Met Bruce Lee / Paisley Rekdal, presentations __________, __________    

6/21     The Night My Mother Met Bruce Lee, presentations __________, __________, ___________, journal & notes due, essay 1 due

Week 5

6/25     Midterm grades

6/26     Maus I / Art Spiegelman, presentations __________, __________

6/28     Maus I, presentations __________, __________, ___________

Week 6

7/03     Film     

7/05     Love! Valor! Compassion! / Terrence McNally, presentations __________, __________

Week 7

7/10     Love! Valor! Compassion! AND A Perfect Ganesh, presentations __________, __________, ___________

7/12     A Perfect Ganesh, presentations __________, __________

Week 8

7/17     Interpreter of Maladies / Jhumpa Lahiri, presentations __________, __________

7/19     Interpreter of Maladies, presentations __________, __________, ___________, journal & notes due, essay 2 due

Week 9

7/24     Preparation / performances

7/26     Performances

Week 10

7/31     No class