SYLLABUS FOR DIVERSITY IN LITERATURE: NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES
Term: Summer, 2006 (20053)
Course Number: ENG 482
Instructor: Dr. Valerie Pennanen
E-mail: finnfriends@att.net
Home Phone: (219) 937-0341
Office Hours: By appointment
Course Time: Tuesday, 6:30 – 10 P.M.
Course Description:
This sequence of courses examines minority and non-western literature through offering a variety of classes, including Native American Studies, African-American Literature, and Contemporary Latin American Authors. English Education students must take at least one of these courses as their upper level 3 credit English electives.
Instructor Background:
B.A., Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology and Ancient Greek (Bryn Mawr College); M.A. and Ph.D., Classical Art and Archaeology (The University of Michigan); teaching experience in classics, art history, art appreciation, liberal studies, world literature, world civilization, and global perspectives (history and literature courses).
Prerequisites: ENG 103 – 104 or faculty approval.
1) Black Elk and John G. Neihardt, Black Elk Speaks
2) Leslie Marmon Silko, Ceremony
3) Louise Erdrich, Love Medicine
4) Sherman Alexie, Reservation Blues
5) Craig Lesley, ed., Talking Leaves: Contemporary Native American Short Stories
Learning Strategies: Presentation of background material (and also, when appropriate, additional readings to supplement the textbooks) by the instructor. Class discussions, individual writing and research projects, and in-class presentations.
Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
§ Demonstrate the ability to do research and writing that pertains to the multifaceted discipline of English and Professional Writing
§ Write coherently and creatively, making conscious and sophisticated stylistic choices in language and structure
§ Engage intellectually and creatively within the discipline of English and/or Professional Writing
§ Evaluate literary works within the context of the evolution of the ideas on social justice
§ Analyze and reflect upon human experience through reading and understanding great literary works and the writings of major authors
§ Identify how literature reflects and challenges the values of the cultural and historical framework in which it was composed
Class Policy on Attendance:
Regular attendance is crucial to your success in this class. If you miss more than nine (9) hours, you will automatically receive a failing grade.
Class Policy on Electronic Devices:
Please turn off all cell phones (or put them on “vibrate”) before entering class.
Class Policy for Assignments:
If a student misses a test, he/she must contact the instructor within 48 hours to arrange for a makeup. The 48-hour rule also applies to a missed paper/presentation deadline. Makeups and extensions will be granted ONLY in case of illness or family emergency.
Assessment:
Midterm exam 20% of course grade
2 essays 40% of course grade
2 short research projects 10% of course grade
Oral presentation 10% of course grade
Final exam 20% of course grade
Grading Scale:
|
Grade |
Points |
|
A |
93-100 |
|
A- |
90-92 |
|
B+ |
87-89 |
|
B |
83-86 |
|
B- |
80-82 |
|
C+ |
77-79 |
|
C |
73-76 |
|
C- |
70-72 |
|
D+ |
67-69 |
|
D |
63-66 |
|
D- |
60-62 |
|
F |
59 and below |
Class Assignments:
Session Number and Date Topic - Assignment
|
Session 1: May 9 |
Welcome and introduction. Ways of seeing the Native American. HOMEWORK: Read take-home handout, “A Survey of Native North American Cultures.” |
|
Session 2: May 16 |
Highlights of Native American mythology. The traditional art of Native American speechmaking. HOMEWORK: Read Black Elk Speaks, foreword, prefaces, and chapters 1 – 9; ALSO, complete Short Research Assignment # 1. |
|
Session 3: May 23 |
SHORT RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT # 1 DUE. Discussion of Black Elk Speaks, chapters 1 – 9. HOMEWORK: Read Black Elk Speaks, chapters 10 – 25, author’s postscript, and appendices 4 and 5. |
|
Session 4: May 30 |
Discussion of Black Elk Speaks, chapters 10 – 25. HOMEWORK: Study for midterm exam; AND read Ceremony, pp. 3 – 63. |
|
Session 5: June 6 |
MIDTERM EXAM. Discussion of Ceremony, pp. 3 – 63. HOMEWORK: Read Ceremony, pp. 64 – 262. |
|
Session 6: June 13 |
Discussion of Ceremony, pp. 64 – 262. HOMEWORK: Prepare Essay # 1; AND read Love Medicine, pp. 1 – 193. |
|
Session 7: June 20 |
ESSAY # 1 DUE. Discussion of Love Medicine, pp. 1 – 193. HOMEWORK: Read Love Medicine, pp. 194 – 367. |
|
Session 8: June 27 |
Discussion of Love Medicine, pp. 194 – 367. HOMEWORK: Prepare Essay # 2; ALSO, read Reservation Blues AND complete Short Research Assignment # 2. |
|
Session 9: July 11 |
ESSAY # 2 AND SHORT RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT # 2 DUE. Discussion of Reservation Blues. HOMEWORK: Read the following stories in Talking Leaves: 1) “Deer Woman” by Paula Gunn Allen 2) “Swimming Upstream” by Beth Brant 3) “A Visit from Reverend Tileston” by Elizabeth Cook-Lynn 4) “Queen of Diamonds” by Michael Dorris 5) “After Celilo” by Ed Edmo 6) “The Humming of Stars and Bees and Waves” by Anita Endrezze 7) “The Bingo Van” by Louise Erdrich 8) “The Way It Was” by Tina Marie Freeman-Villalobos 9) “Aunt Parnetta’s Electric Blisters” by Diane Glancy 10) “Northern Lights” by Joy Harjo 11) “Taking Care of Business” by Kathleen Shaye Hill 12) “Aunt Moon’s Young Man” by Linda Hogan 13) “The Pebble People” by Roger Jack 14) “Wet Moccasins” by Maurice Kenny 15) “A Seat in the Garden” by Thomas King 16) “Killing the Bear” by Judith Minty 17) “She is Beautiful in Her Whole Being” by N. Scott Momaday 18) “Crow’s Sun” by Duane Niatum 19) “Dancer” by Vickie Sears 20) “The Baron of Patronia” by Gerald Vizenor 21) Excerpt from Fools Crow by James Welch 22) “Summer Girl” by Roberta Hill Whiteman |
|
Session 10: July 18 |
Discussion of the above short stories. HOMEWORK: Prepare oral presentation AND study for final exam. |
|
Session 11: July 25 |
FINAL EXAM, followed by ORAL PRESENTATIONS. |
Center for Academic Excellence:
Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Students who wish to excel in this class are urged to sign up to receive tutoring assistance for all their writing assignments. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) to make an appointment at 473 – 4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.
Statement of Plagiarism:
If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. Please be aware that your paper may be submitted for examination for plagiarism to Turnitin.com, a plagiarism-check Internet company with which the college has contracted.
Citation Guidelines:
Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.). All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.
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 request 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).