Office: 518

Office Phone: 219-473-4294

Office Hours: 5-6 pm Tuesdays

Instructor Background: Wright State University, BS in Education, 1970; Valparaiso University, MALS in Education, 1976; Gary Community School Corporation, 1971-present; Calumet College of St. Joseph, 1999-present.

Course Time: Tuesdays 6:30 – 10:00pm

Course Description: English 496 will survey African American literature according to genres, with emphasis on historical and cultural issues.

Prerequisites:

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies: Students in this course will:

· demonstrate an understanding of African American literary heritage from Colonial Period to the present by recognizing influences, style, and content of genres.

· express an understanding of African American literature through written discussions of outside reading of each genre.

· participate in classroom discussion.

Textbooks:

Cornerstones: An Anthology of African American Literature, edited by Melvin Donalson

A Choice of Weapons, by Gordon Parks

Beloved, by Toni Morrison

Learning Strategies: In-class writing, group work, collaborative learning, teacher mentoring and instruction, etc.

Requirements:

Quizzes on assigned reading selections.
Written expressions reflecting inquiry, interpretation, and scholarly study of outside reading.
One critical research paper of approximately 10 pages.

Course Outline:

Unit I: Oral Tradition Weeks 1 and 2 (May 13 and 20)

Unit II: Poetry Weeks 3 and 4 (May 27 and June 3)

Unit III: Fiction Weeks 5, 6, and 7(June 8, 17, and 24)

Unit IV: Drama Week 8 (July 1)

Unit V: Nonfiction Week 9 (July 8 and 15)

Unit VI: Criticism Week 10 (July 22)

Assessment:

Quizzes 60 points (10 points each)

Essays 60 points (10 points each)

Research paper 200 points

Participation 40 points

Attendance 40 points

Final Exam 200 points

Grading Scale:

Letter grades will be assigned according to the student’s fulfilling the requirements above.

526 - 600 = A

450 - 525 = B

376 - 450 = C

301 - 375 = D

Class Policy on Attendance:

In accordance with English program policy, any student missing more than NINE (9) hours of class will receive an F. These nine hours include both excused and unexcused absences. Please be aware these hours include birthdays, sport events, illness, work, etc. If a problem arises with your absences, please come and talk to me immediately.

Class Policy on Electronic Devices: (Cell phones, Beeper, Pagers…etc.)

Please turn off all cell phones, beepers, etc. It is disruptive to have them going off during class.

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call 473-4287 to make an appointment

Statement of Plagiarism:

Academic honesty is expected of all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. Please consult the CCSJ student handbook.

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written requests for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).

NOTE: Changes in this syllabus may be made at the discretion of the instructor.