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Introduction to African American Literature ENGL A331-001: INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE Fall 2018 | T/R 2:00-3:15 | Monroe 251 Dr. Trimiko Melancon | x2278 [email protected] Office Hours (Bobet 328): T 11-12:30 & by appointment 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, sociopolitical and literary contexts in which it was produced. To this end, we will examine various types of African American literary and 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 and other requisite readings/course materials are on Blackboard** 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 sociocultural 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 and culture. 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 absences. Four or more absences, the equivalent of two (or more) weeks of class, 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; as such, students are responsible for all assignments covered during their absence or tardiness. 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 approval beforehand. Only in extenuating circumstances (e.g. documented illness, bereavement, official academic and/or athletic excursion, etc.) will a student be allowed to make-up a missed assignment; and, the opportunity to make-up such an assignment is conditional. In such cases, the student must provide two forms of documentation: one from a legitimate source (e.g. medical doctor, coach or athletic director, etc.) and an additional written statement or email from an academic advisor. 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. Moreover, in the spirit of general respect and protocol, students should refrain from speaking while other students and the instructor are speaking. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be silenced and put away so that students are fully present in class. Unless students have received prior permission from the instructor, they should refrain from using laptops in class. 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. The regulations that make up the Academic Honor Code for Loyola students, as well as definitions of academic dishonesty, the process for determining findings of academic dishonesty, and the governing appeals, may be found at the following: http://2018bulletin.loyno.edu/academicregulations/academic- honesty-and-plagiarism 2 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, students needing academic accommodations for disability-related barriers should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) located in Monroe Library, 2nd Floor. 504-865-2990 (front office) Email: [email protected] http://www.loyno.edu/success/disability-services Emergency and Evaluation: 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. Review the following to prepare for such emergencies: http://academicaffairs.loyno.edu/students-emergencyresponsibilities ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING POLICY: Final course grades will be calculated accordingly: o Critical Paper: 25% o Midterm Exam: 25% o Amistad Research Project & Presentation: 25% o Journal/Critical Reflections (10 entries) & Quizzes: 25% A+ = (100-99) B+ = (89-87) C+ = (79-77) D+ = (69-67) F = (59 and Below) A = (98-94) B = (86-83) C = (76-73) D = (66-63) A- = (93-90) 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. 21 Introduction & Course Overview Aug. 23 “The Literature of Slavery and Freedom” The Peculiar Institution: Slavery, Literature, the Law & Routes to Freedom [Lecture] WEEK TWO Aug. 28 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] Aug. 30 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] 3 WEEK THREE Sept. 4 Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (cont’d) Sept. 6 David Walker, From David Walker’s Appeal in Four Articles; Together with a Preamble to the Coloured Citizens of the World WEEK FOUR Sept. 11 Sojourner Truth, “Ar’n’t I a Woman?” Maria Stewart, From Religion and the Pure Principles of Morality, the Sure Foundation on Which We Must Build Sept . 13 **CRITICAL PAPER DUE** (WRITING DAY) WEEK FIVE Sept. 18 Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (Preface to XVII) Sept. 20 Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (XXI to XLI) WEEK SIX Sept. 25 Frederick Douglass, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” Roots of Resistance: The Story of the Underground Railroad [Screening] Sept . 27 Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Preface – X WEEK SEVEN Oct. 2 Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, XI – Appendix Oct. 4 Amistad [S] WEEK EIGHT Oct. 9 ** FALL BREAK – NO CLASS ** Oct. 11 **MIDTERM EXAM** WEEK NINE Oct. 16 AMISTAD RESEARCH CENTER CLASS VISIT ➔ **Meet by Bobet Hall entrance (facing Marquette) to walk over as a class Oct. 18 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. 23 & 25 RESEARCH AT THE AMISTAD RESEARCH CENTER WEEK ELEVEN Oct. 30 “Literature of the Reconstruction to the New Negro Renaissance,” Norton Reconstruction (1865-1877), Black Codes & Racial/Legal/Cultural Ideologies and Practices [Lecture] Nov. 1 Booker T. Washington, Up from Slavery, I-III 4 WEEK TWELVE Nov. 6 Booker T. Washington, “The Atlanta Exposition Address” Nov. 8 Anna Julia Cooper, “Womanhood a Vital Element in the Regeneration and Progress of a Race WEEK THIRTEEN Nov. 13 Ida B. Wells-Barnett, From A Red Record Ida B. Wells: A Passion for Justice [Screening] Nov. 15 W.E.B. Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk: “Forethought” & “Of Our Spiritual Strivings” WEEK FOURTEEN Nov. 20 AMISTAD RESEARCH PROJECT WOYO Nov. 22 THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASSES!! WEEK FIFTEEN Nov. 27 **AMISTAD RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS** Nov. 29 **AMISTAD RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS** WEEK SIXTEEN Dec. 4 **AMISTAD RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS** Dec. 6 **AMISTAD RESEARCH PROJECT DUE** 5 .
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