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Introduction to African American Literature

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Introduction to African American Literature Fall 2016 | T/TH 11-12:15 | Monroe 601 Dr. Trimiko Melancon | x2278 [email protected] Office Hours (Bobet 328): T/TH 12:30-1:30 COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course, we will study African American literature, primarily (though not exclusively) from the late eighteenth century, through Reconstruction to 1900, in the historical, cultural, socio-political and literary contexts in which it was produced. To this end, we will examine various types of African American literary and expressive cultural productions: folk narratives and songs, autobiographies, slave narratives, essays, speeches, poetry, and short fiction. We will also read these texts alongside ancillary documents and source materials, including interactive slavery databases, WPA interviews with the formerly enslaved, films, documentaries, photography, and archival materials in the specialized collections at the Amistad Research Center. Among the issues this course will engage and examine are literacy and orality, slavery and freedom, politics of race and identity (including gender and sexuality), and the particular ways in which these intersect in African American literature and culture of the era. REQUIRED TEXTS: **All required texts are provided & other requisite readings and course materials are available on Blackboard (BB)** COURSE OBJECTIVES & LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will enable students who apply themselves in an engaged manner, demonstrate a vested interest in the course materials and principles, and fulfill requisite assignments and course obligations to… o Develop and strengthen skills in critical analysis, application, discussion, and presentation o Enhance analytical and critical reading, writing, thinking, and interpretive skills o Learn techniques and mechanics of archival research through guided and independent work in specialized collections o Gain a fuller, richer understanding of African American literature and culture and of African American studies generally o Historicize and situate diverse texts by black writers within their respective literary and socio-cultural movements, periods, and traditions COURSE REQUIREMENTS: On a fundamental level, your commitment to this course—to the readings, critical analyses and discussions, intellectual engagements and assignments—is integral to your success and, equally significant, to your developing a deeper understanding of African American literature. Attendance & Punctuality: Students are expected to attend all class sessions, be punctual, and come prepared (with a print copy of the assigned reading and the day’s assignment completed in its entirety) to contribute to class discussions. Attendance is mandatory. Students are allowed three (3) absences. Missing more than three (3) classes will result in failure of the course due to excessive absence with a final course grade of “F.” Class sessions begin promptly. While students who arrive late for a quiz or other graded assignment will be allowed to take it, they will not be extended additional time to compensate for their tardiness. Moreover, please note that an absence or tardiness is no excuse for any missed assignments, so students are responsible for all assignments covered during their absence or tardiness. Also, any student absent on the day of a scheduled paper, quiz, or other graded assignment forfeits her or his right to complete it and will receive a grade of zero (0) “F”. This does not apply, however, to students who give prior notification and receive my approval beforehand. Participation & Classroom Conduct: Students should be aware of the importance their participatory role plays in not only class discussion, but also in the learning process itself. While open dialogues, as well as diverse viewpoints, ideologies, and interpretations, are encouraged and especially welcome, students should always respect the opinions and subject positions of all students and faculty, whether or not they are in accord with your own. Offensive, inappropriate, derogatory, and/or politically incorrect comments or language will not be tolerated. Academic Integrity & Intellectual Honesty: All work you submit must represent and constitute your own work. Plagiarism and other forms of intellectual dishonesty, such as cheating, are very serious offenses that will not be tolerated. Students with Special Need Accommodations: All students are entitled and welcome to fully engage in my course and the academic, social, and intellectual life of Loyola. As per the university guidelines, if you are a student with a disability and wish to receive accommodations, please contact Disability Services at 504-865-2990, [email protected], or visit the Office of Disability Services in Marquette Hall 112. Please note that before any accommodations can be implemented, you must obtain an official Course Accommodation Record from Disability Services for my signature. 2 Emergency and Evaluation: As per the university’s guidelines for emergencies, at times, ordinary university operations are interrupted as a result of tropical storms, hurricanes, or other emergencies that require evacuation or suspension of on-campus activities. To prepare for such emergencies, all students will do the following during the first week of classes: o Practice signing on for each course through Blackboard. o Provide regular and alternative e-mail address and phone contact information to each instructor. In the event of an interruption to our course due to the result of an emergency requiring an evacuation or suspension of campus activities, students will: o Pack textbooks, assignments, syllabi and any other needed materials for each course ad bring during an evacuation/suspension o Keep up with course work during the evacuation/suspension as specified on course syllabi and on-line Blackboard courses. o Complete any reading and/or writing assignments given by professors before emergency began. Assuming a power source is available.... o Log on to university Web site within 48 hours of an evacuation/suspension. o Monitor the main university site (www.loyno.edu) for general information. o Log on to each course through Blackboard or e-mail within 48 hours of an evacuation/suspension to receive further information regarding contacting course instructors for assignments, etc. o Complete Blackboard and/or other online assignments posted by professors (students are required to turn in assignments on time during the evacuation/suspension period and once the university campus has reopened.) o Contact professors during an evacuation/suspension (or as soon as classes resume on campus) to explain any emergency circumstances that may have prevented them from completing expected work. Further information about student responsibilities in emergencies is available on the Academic Affairs web site: http://academicaffairs.loyno.edu/students-emergency- responsibilities ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING POLICY: Final course grades will be calculated accordingly: o Midterm Exam: 20% o Short Critical Paper: 20% o Amistad Research Project: 20% o Amistad Research Project Presentation: 20% o Journal (5 entries/200-250 words each) & Quizzes: 20% 3 A+ = (100-97) B+ = (89-87) C+ = (79-77) D+ = (69-67) F = (59 and Below) A = (96-93) B = (86-83) C = (76-73) D = (66-63) A- = (92-90) B- = (82-80) C- = (72-70) D- = (62-60) **Note: This syllabus is tentative and may be subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. In such an event, students will be given prior notification and/or revised documentation. SCHEDULE OF COURSE MEETINGS: WEEK ONE Aug. 23 Introduction & Course Overview Aug. 25 “The Literature of Slavery and Freedom,” Norton [N] 151-162 The Peculiar Institution: Slavery, Literature, the Law & Routes to Freedom [Lecture] WEEK TWO Aug. 30 Phillis Wheatley, “To the University of Cambridge, in New-England”; “On Being Brought from Africa to America”; “To His Excellency General Washington” Africans in America: America’s Journey through Slavery [Screening] Sept. 1 Olaudah Equiano, From The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself “Slave Narratives as Literary Genre—and Olaudah Equiano” [Lecture] WEEK THREE Sept. 6 Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano Sept. 8 Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano David Walker, From David Walker’s Appeal in Four Articles; Together with a Preamble to the Coloured Citizens of the World WEEK FOUR Sept. 13 Sojourner Truth, “Ar’n’t I a Woman?” Sept . 15 Maria Stewart, From Religion and the Pure Principles of Morality, the Sure Foundation on Which We Must Build ** SHORT CRITICAL PAPER** WEEK FIVE Sept. 20 Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (Preface to XVII) Sept. 22 Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (XXI to XLI) WEEK SIX Sept. 27 Frederick Douglass, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” Roots of Resistance: The Story of the Underground Railroad [S] Sept . 29 Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Preface – X WEEK SEVEN Oct. 4 Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, XI – Appendix Oct. 6 Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (cont’d) 4 WEEK EIGHT Oct. 11 FALL BREAK – NO CLASSES! Oct. 13 Amistad [S] ** MIDTERM EXAMINATION** WEEK NINE Oct. 18 AMISTAD RESEARCH CENTER CLASS VISIT **Meet by Bobet Hall entrance (facing Marquette) to walk over as a class Oct. 20 Frances Harper, “Ethiopia”; “The Slave Mother”; “Bury Me in a Free Land”; “An Appeal to My Country Women” & “Woman’s Political Future” WEEK TEN Oct. 25 & 27 RESEARCH AT THE AMISTAD RESEARCH CENTER WEEK ELEVEN Nov.
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