English 359 CD

Dr. Susanne George Bloomfield

Spring 2007

English 359 CD

Contemporary American Multicultural Literature

English 359 will examine texts of ethnic American writers selected from diverse cultural backgrounds and will focus on the distinctive features of the various communities in these works, a comparison of their themes, symbols, characterizations, styles, narrative techniques, and cultural significance, as well as their place in the American literary tradition. In addition, the books contain adolescent or young adult protagonists who undergo a rite of passage, making the books appropriate to teach in middle or high school classrooms.

A. Course Objectives

The educational goals of this course are to help students:

1) appreciate the important American heritage that has influenced the lives of those living in the United States, including traditional and non-traditional literatures as well as works by women and cultural minorities;

2) explore the diversity of American literature’s creative, social, economic, spiritual, and political realities

3) investigate the interrelationships between class, race, ethnicity, and gender

4) identify and compare the major themes, symbols, concerns and techniques of culturally diverse American writers;

5) increase their knowledge of the individual, family, and community values portrayed in multicultural 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.

B. Course Requirements

1. Students will be expected to read the daily assignments as well as selected Internet Sites located on the Class Home Page.

Books for the course will include Fools Crow by James Welch, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistsight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie (Native American), Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (Hispanic), Family by J. California Cooper (African American), My Antonia by Willa Cather, and Yonnondio by Tillie Olsen (immigrant).

2. Grades will be determined by four factors:

A. Daily Quizzes 15%

Students will be given a mini-essay question at the beginning of each class period over the reading assignment for that day. If students have read the assignment, they will pass!

B. Panel Discussion—25%
Students will choose one book that we will be studying in class, be placed into groups accordingly, and present an approximately 30 minute Introductory Presentation of that work. The presentation could include any of the following information that will help prepare the class for reading the text:

1. Biographical background on the author

2. Cultural and historical contexts of the work

3. Critical background of the text, including topics such as narrative techniques, characterization, sense of community, ethnicity, and rite of passage

4. Relevant handouts for the class.

Each person must turn in an outline or summary of his or her material and a copy of any handouts. Each member of the group will be graded Individually.

C. Final Researched Critical Analysis—60%
A final critical paper, including at least three to four outside sources (in addition to text or texts), will be due during finals week. It should be approximately 8-10 pages long (2,000-2,500 words at @250 words per page); the specificity of the thesis will determine the length. Students may analyze a particular work or author that we have studied in class, or may choose to do a comparative study of several works read in class during the semester, narrowing the focus, of course, to a specific theme, idea, etc. The paper must include a Works Cited page and must be typed according to MLA form. Correct organization, style, and grammar will be considered in determining the grade. The paper and all rough drafts must be submitted in a two-pocket folder. The Researched Critical Analysis will count as 60% of the final grade.

D. Attendance

Attendance is important. 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.). Only under exceptional circumstances will modifications be made. Six absences (three weeks) are grounds for failing the course.

C. Grading Policy

Papers and panels will be given letter grades which will be translated numerically as follows: A+=99; A=96; A-+92; B+=88; B=85; B-=82; C+=78; C=75; C-+72; D+=68; D=64; D-60; F= 50.

C. Disability Accommodations

Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. Please contact Academic Success at 308 865-8214, Memorial Student Affairs Building, Room 163, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.

D. Professor contact information

My office is 109D Thomas Hall and this semester my office hours will be from 11:00 - 12:30 T-Th. If a student cannot meet with me during this time period, I will be happy to make special arrangements. My office telephone number is 308-865-8867, but I have no voice mail. If unable to reach me there, you may leave a message with the English Department Secretary at 308-865-8299.

My e-mail address is bloomfields@unk.edu.

The class Home Page is found at http://faculty.unk.edu/b/bloomfields