English 254: CD
Dr. Susanne George Bloomfield
Spring 2009
English 254:
CD
Native
American Literature
I. Course Description
Native American Literature will examine the
texts of contemporary American Indian writers. The class will focus on the
distinctive features of the various tribes and time periods represented in
these works and their historical significance, a comparison of their themes,
symbols, characterizations, styles, narrative techniques, and cultural
significance, as well as their place in the American literary tradition. The class will also examine the evolving
relationship between Euroamerican settlers and Native Americans, how
stereotypical images of the Indian developed over time and the reality of these
images today, and how Native American authors use mediation in crossing
cultural boundaries.
II. Course Objectives
The UNK General Studies program helps students
acquire knowledge and abilities to
understand the world, make connections across
disciplines, and contribute to the solution
of contemporary problems.
The educational goals of this course are to
help students:
1)
appreciate the importance of our Native American heritage;
2)
discover writers not often covered in traditional canon-oriented survey
courses;
3)
identify and compare the major themes, symbols, concerns and techniques of
culturally diverse American writers;
4)
promote an understanding of the continuing cultural conflict that is a repeated
theme in Native American literature;
5)
increase their knowledge of the individual, family, and community values
portrayed in Native American literatures;
6)
view American literature in a more diverse context;
7)
improve critical reading and oral communication skills;
8)
improve research and critical writing skills;
9)
and become an integral part of a community of scholars who share their
insights, resources, and special abilities.
III. Course Requirements
The following books by Native American
authors will be required reading for this course:
Fools
Crow by James Welch
The
Long Knives Are Crying by
Joseph Marshall III
Miko
Kings by LeAnne Howe
Mean
Spirit by Linda Hogan
Indian
Killer by
IV.
Grading Criteria:
Students
will have the option of choosing the grade toward which they wish to work from four
(4) assignment options. The higher grades will require substantially more work.
Some students might consider taking the course Credit/No Credit and choosing
the C option. However, the Registrar must be notified during the first week of
class, and the choice cannot be changed. Students may take up to 18 hours of
Credit/No Credit as long as it is not in the student’s major or minor area of
studies, and he or she has completed 28 semester hours in good standing.
Students
may not mix and match grade options.
However,
failure to complete elements of the contract agreement will lower the grade
incrementally. For example, if an “A” Contract does not complete the Extra
Book, that student will receive a B. If a “B” Contract does not complete the
Movie Analysis, the student will receive a “C.” Students may opt to work for a
lower grade mid-semester, but the contract cannot be raised to a higher grade.
Failure to complete the “C” option for Credit/No Credit will result in a No
Credit.
Contract Summary
“A” Contract
Daily Reading Assignment and Daily ½ page
Response
Extra Book
Movie Analysis
Final Project from “A” List
“B” Contract
Daily Reading Assignment and Daily ½ page
Response (may be excused from 2 responses)
Movie Analysis
Final Project from “B” List
“C” Contract
Daily Reading Assignment and Daily ½ page
Response (may be excused from 3 responses)
Final Project from “C” List
1.
Daily
Students will be
expected to read the assigned pages for each class session. In order to
stimulate class discussion and to ensure that the assignment has been
thoughtfully read, a short ½ page written response (may be hand written but
must be legible!) to a particularly interesting aspect of the assignment and/or
questions about the text.
2. Extra Book—for “A” contract only
In addition to the books being studied in class, students
contracting for an A will read one full-length book from the reading list, or
one approved by the professor, and write a 1,500 word Analysis following the required format. [See Blackboard or Class Web Page] It
will be due near the end of the semester, although students are encouraged to
be working on it during the semester and may submit it at any time.
Students contracting for a B or C do not have to read an extra
book.
3. Movie Review—for “A” & “B” contracts
Students choosing to contract for an A or a B will choose one
film from the movie list or one approved by the professor, view it
independently from the class, and write a critical 1,500 word Movie Review of
it following the required format. [See Blackboard or Class
Web Page]
Students contracting for a C do
not have to view any movies.
4.
Final Project—for All Contracts
Students will be required to
complete a final project either from the following list or from an original
idea with the consent of the professor, perhaps something that ties in with
their major. The project expectations will vary according to the contracted
grade. Students will be able to revise until the project fulfills the
requirement. If students wait until too late in the semester to make adequate
revisions, the grade will be lowered.
Projects
for “A” Contracts: Choose one
Write a 10-12 page Critical Analysis of one of the novels (or compare/contrast
novels) that we are studying in class, using at least three outside research
sources (in addition to the literary text and NOT all from the internet) for
support (2,500-3,000 words). Paper must be revised to "A" quality.
[See Model Student Papers & Rubric on Class Web Page]
Write diary entries (2,500-3,000 words) for
one of the characters that details events of that person’s life and their
personal thoughts about it.
Create a Power Point Program with text and
graphics that helps explain background information for one of the texts.
Include Works Cited. (For example, Animal spirituality in Mean Spirit,
the History of Indians in Baseball in Miko Kings, or Tayo’s
Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome in Ceremony)
Rewrite the last chapter of the book with a
different ending (2,500-3,000 words).
Draw illustrations for six scenes from one of
the novels. Write at least a 500-word explanation of the appropriateness of the
illustrations and why you chose those particular scenes.
Projects
for “B” Contracts: Choose one
Write a 8-10 page Critical Analysis of one of the novels
(or compare/contrast novels) that we are studying in class, using two outside
research sources (in addition to the literary texts and Not both from the
Internet) for support (2,000-2500 words). Paper must be revised to
"B" quality. [See Model Student Papers and Rubric on Class Web Page]
Create a Study Guide for the novel, focusing
not only on plot and character but also on major themes, images, and setting.
Self-Publish a newspaper, including news
stories about several concurrent events, feature articles, ads, etc.
(2,000-2,5000 words)
Draw or graphically design a detailed map of
one of the settings (battlefield, neighborhood, Sun Dance camp circle). Include
at least a 500-word explanation of your map, your sources, and how this map
helps in understanding the text.
Choose one major scene from one of the novels
and rewrite it as a stage play or screen play, complete with stage or screen
directions, costume suggestions, body language, etc.
Projects
for “C” Contracts: Choose one
Write a 6-8 page Critical Analysis of one of the novels
(or compare/contrast novels) that we are studying in class with no outside
research necessary (1,500-2,000 words). [See Model Student Papers & Rubric
on Class Web Page]
Write Letters to the Editor in the voices of
two or three characters about an event or situation about which they agree or
disagree.
Draw or graphically design a different cover
for one of the texts. Include at least a 500-word explanation of why you think
this would be an appropriate design for that particular text.
Stage and video an interview (a friend or
classmate could ask the questions and you would be the interviewee) with one of
the characters of the novels we are reading (as could be seen on Oprah,
Letterman, Meet the Press, or Good Morning
Present
an informative or persuasive speech on a certain theme implicit in one of the
novels. Minimum of 5 minutes, must be well organized and supported with
examples from the text.
V.
Course Policies and Information
Attendance
is important. Two absences for illnesses, funerals, flat tires, and assorted
catastrophes will not affect your grade. However, after two absences,
grades will be lowered accordingly, usually at 1/3 of a grade
increments for each additional absence. (A=A-, A-=B+, B+=B, etc.). Six
absences will be cause for failing the class. Only under
exceptional circumstances will modifications be made.
Be
sure to check your UNK email account for messages, especially during inclement
weather. If class is to be cancelled, I will send the class an announcement via
Lotus Notes.
My Home Page http://www.lopers.net/faculty/b/bloomfields/home.html is on the Internet. It includes
all assignments, requirements, supplementary material, and important links to
scholarly sources on the authors and subjects we will be studying. Please
bookmark it on your computer. In addition, I will also have a class page on Blackboard.
My office is 109D Thomas Hall, and
this semester my office hours will be from 12:30-2:00 Monday & Wednesday. From
4:00-5:00 on Monday I will be available in the computer room at CMCT. If you
cannot meet with me during this time period, I will be happy to make special
arrangements. My office telephone number
is 865-8867; my UNK e-mail is BloomfieldS@unk.edu.
Students with Disabilities
UNK is committed
to providing support for students with disabilities. If you are a student with physical, learning,
emotional, or psychological disabilities you are encouraged to stop by room 163
in the Memorial Student Affairs Building, the Academic Success Office and make
an appointment with David Brandt, the Disabilities Coordinator at 308-865-8214
or by email at brandtdl@unk.edu. If you have an accommodation plan please
review it with me as soon as possible, so we can make any arrangements
necessary for your learning. No
accommodations will be provided until a Reasonable Accommodation Plan is in
place. Please remember, plans are not
retroactive and cannot be used for assignments or events prior to the date of
my signature.
To the greatest
extent possible, UNK, shall observe confidentiality with respect to any request
for accommodation.