Writing Course Review Form (1/12)
I. General Education Review – Writing Course
Dept/Program
Course # (i.e. ENEX
English Dept.
LIT 304
Subject
200)
Course Title
U.S. Writers of Color
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office.
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Instructor
Quan Ha
Phone / Email
Quan.ha@mso.umt.edu
09/12/2012
243.5231
Program Chair
Jill Bergman
Dean
Comer
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
Reason for new course, change or deletion
Change
Remove
Scheduled review of W courses
IV Overview of the Course Purpose/ Description: Provide an introduction to the subject
matter and course content.
LIT 304: U.S. Writers of Color
Major Themes and Issues in Asian American Prose Narratives
This course introduces you to major themes and critical issues in late 20th- and early 21st-century Asian
American prose narratives. We will read short stories, novels, and life narratives written by some
Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese American authors. Besides these selected
primary texts, the course also introduces you to important articles/essays written by major Asian
American critics and scholars. After completing this course, you will be able to
-think critically about Asian American prose narratives and their thematic approaches
-analyze literature insightfully and write critical analysis of prose narratives
-appreciate cultural differences and ethnic diversity
-understand the politics of race and ethnicity and how history shapes one’s identity and
perspective
-understand key concepts in ethnic studies: stereotype, model-minority myth, diaspora, identity,
US imperialism and the Third World, Asian American citizenship, interracial and interethnic
relations, etc.
V Learning Outcomes: Explain how each of the following learning outcomes will be achieved.
Student learning outcomes :
Use writing to learn and synthesize new
concepts
Formulate and express written opinions and
ideas that are developed, logical, and
organized
Compose written documents that are
appropriate for a given audience, purpose and
context
Revise written work based on constructive
comments from the instructor
Find, evaluate, and use information
effectively and ethically (see
http://www.lib.umt.edu/informationliteracy/)
Begin to use discipline-specific writing
conventions
Demonstrate appropriate English language
usage
VI. Writing Course Requirements
Enrollment is capped at 25 students.
If not, list maximum course enrollment. Explain
how outcomes will be adequately met for this
number of students. Justify the request for
variance.
What instructional methods will be used to teach
students to write for specific audiences, purposes,
and genres?
Students are required to write two major
research essays (7 pages/essay), in which they
present an argument and integrate research into
their critical interpretation/analysis of a literary
text. In addition, they must turn in a 3-page
response paper. The two in-class exams ask
students to write a 250-word paragraph to
answer each exam question. There are 5
questions in each exam, which requires students
to formulate their thoughts logically in a timeconstrained environment and tests their ability to
articulate their thoughts succinctly within a
paragraph.
Each essay must follow the formal format of an
academic paper. Students must be able to state a
strong argumentative thesis statement strongly,
write solid topic sentences, and develop coherent
paragraphs while maintaining the coherence and
unity of the essay as a whole. Specific examples
and evidence are required to reinforce their
argument.
All essays and exam answers must use formal,
standard English. The audience is assumed to be
an academic person familiar with the field.
Students have one week, after they receive their
essays back, to revise their works based on the
instructor’s feedback.
Students must familiarize themselves with
scholarly, academic, and reliable sources. Their
research sources must be books in print or
articles accessed via the Library’s databases.
Legal actions will be taken against plagiarism.
Students must follow the MLA style for
grammar usage, punctuation conventions,
documentations and citations.
Standard modern American English and proper
mechanics.
Each student is required to meet with the
instructor at least a week before a paper is due
to discuss a possible topic and an outline for
his/her essay. Then, he/she is required to meet
with the instructor again to go over the
strengths and weaknesses of his/her essay in
the instructor’s office.
Students are suggested to consult handbooks
on academic writing to learn about the writing
conventions. In their face-to-face meetings
with the instructor, he will discuss his
expectations and suggest books that students
should consult to overcome their writing
weaknesses.
Which written assignments will include revision in There will be two required revisions for the
response to instructor’s feedback?
two formal essays. No grade will be assigned
until the revisions are turned in.
VII. Writing Assignments: Please describe course assignments. Students should be required to
individually compose at least 16 pages of writing for assessment. At least 50% of the course grade
should be based on students’ performance on writing assignments. Clear expression, quality, and
accuracy of content are considered an integral part of the grade on any writing assignment.
Formal Graded Assignments
70%
Informal Ungraded Assignments
20%
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. 
For assistance on syllabus preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
The syllabus must include the following:
1. Writing outcomes
2. Information literacy expectations
3. Detailed requirements for all writing assignments or append writing assignment instructions
Paste syllabus here.
SPRING 2012
LIT 304: U.S. Writers of Color
Major Themes and Issues in Asian American Prose Narratives
Instructor: Quan M. Ha, Ph.D.
Office hours: Tues + Thurs: 12:30-2:00 & by appointment
Class meetings: Tues + Thurs: 2:10-3:30 PM
E-mail: quan.ha@mso.umt.edu
Office: LA 213
Classroom: SS 254
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
This course introduces you to major themes and critical issues in late 20th- and early 21st-century
Asian American prose narratives. We will read short stories, novels, and life narratives written by
some Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese American authors. Besides
these selected primary texts, the course also introduces you to important articles/essays written by
major Asian American critics and scholars. After completing this course, you will be able to
-think critically about Asian American prose narratives and their thematic approaches
-analyze literature insightfully and write critical analysis of prose narratives
-appreciate cultural differences and ethnic diversity
-understand the politics of race and ethnicity and how history shapes one’s identity and
perspective
-understand key concepts in ethnic studies: stereotype, model-minority myth, diaspora,
identity, US imperialism and the Third World, Asian American citizenship, interracial
and interethnic relations, etc.
8 Required Texts + 1 coursepack
Lac Su, I Love Yous Are for White People. ISBN: 978-0061543661
John Okada, No-No Boy. ISBN: 978-0295-955254
Kao Kalia Yang, The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir. ISBN: 978-1-56689-208-7
Chang-Rae Lee, Native Speaker. ISBN: 978-1573225311
Carlos Bulosan, America Is in the Heart. ISBN-10: 029595289X
Maxine Hong Kingston, China Men. ISBN: 978-0679723288
Amy Chua, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. ISBN: 9781594202841
Wu, Frank H. Yellow: Race in America beyond Black and White. ISBN: 9780.465.006403
Coursepack will be sent to your email as an attachment
Classroom policies
1. You are not allowed to read newspapers or class-unrelated materials while class is in session.
2. The use of cell phones, beepers, or other electronic devices is prohibited during class.
3. Any persistent talking or sleeping while the instructor or another student is speaking will result
in (1) a warning and (2) then your dismissal from the classroom.
4. You are permitted to use laptops during class for note-taking and other class-related work only.
5. Behave in a courteous and respectful manner toward your instructor and your fellow students.
E-mail correspondence
Use your UM e-mail account for electronic correspondence with the instructor. You may expect
my response within 48 hours (except weekends and holidays). I expect you to use a professional
tone in your correspondence with me. E-mails that have no greeting or express a disrespectful
tone will not be answered.
Attendance and Tardiness
1. Tardiness of between 5 and 10 minutes will be noted: each such tardiness after the first two
will be counted as an unexcused absence; tardiness of 20 minutes or longer will be treated as an
unexcused absence.
2. If you have to leave class early due to personal problems, inform me before class starts.
3. You are allowed TWO free absences. After your second unexcused absence, 25 points will be
deducted for each additional absence. More than 6 unexcused absences will result in the failure of
the course.
4. If you miss no class, I will add 10 bonus points to your final grade.
Assignments
TWO FORMAL ESSAYS (1,800-2,000 words/essay): Specific instructions to be announced.
ONE ORAL PRESENTATION + ONE RESPONSE PAPER (1,000-1,200 words): You will
present your critical understanding of the text(s) assigned for the date you have signed up for.
Then, turn in your response paper on the date indicated in the syllabus.
ONE EXAM (in class): Specific instructions to be announced
READING QUIZZES: At the beginning of each class meeting, we will have a reading quiz (1015 points/each) until you earn the total of 300 points on all quizzes.
Grades
Grades will be assigned as percentage scores (0-1000) throughout the term. Ultimately, your final
grade will be converted to the university’s letter grade system using this scale:
A+ (970-1000)
B+ (870-899)
C+ (770-799)
D (650-699)
A (940-960)
B (840-860)
C (740-760)
F (640 or below)
A- (900-930)
B- (800-830)
C- (700-730)
Reading quizzes------------------------------ -------------------------------------300 points
Two major essays-------------------------------------------------------------------400 points (200
points/each)
One exam---------------------------------------------------------------------------100 points
Oral presentation--------------------------------------------------------------------50 points
Response paper----------------------------------------------------------------------100 points
Active participation in class discussion-----------------------------------------50 points
TOTAL: 1,000 points
Policies on written assignments and in-class tests
1. Late papers will be penalized with a 10% deduction for each day after the due date, including
weekend days. If extenuating circumstances prevent you from turning in a paper on time, please
talk to me BEFORE the paper is due. I am not likely to make allowances after the deadline has
come and gone.
2. All papers are to be typed in 12-point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced. Please follow
the MLA guidelines for formatting, citations, and documentations.
3. For each formal essay, you will have one week to enter all of my corrections and turn in the
revised version. Failing to do this will result in a zero on the assignment.
4. Do not ask me to proofread your essays electronically (via email). If you need help with your
papers, please schedule an appointment, or just come during my office hours.
5. Make-up assignments are for excused absences only. If you are late and miss a quiz, you may
not take it again.
Grade Appeals
If you wish to appeal a grade, you should first consult with me. You will have 7 days, from the
time the grade is assigned/posted, to set up an appointment with me to discuss the grade. After 7
days, all grades are final.
Accommodations
Students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodations for coursework. To request
accommodation, please contact me as soon as possible in the semester. I will work with you and
Disability Services in the accommodation process. For more information, visit the Disability
Services website at http://www.umt.edu/dss/ or call 406.243.2243 (Voice/Text).
Academic Integrity
Refer to http://life.umt.edu/VPSA/Student_Conduct.php. for information about academic
misconduct. If you are found guilty of academic misconduct, legal action will be taken. It is your
responsibility as a student to understand the Student Conduct Code described in the link above.
Schedule of Readings (subject to change; the symbol [●] indicates readings from the
coursepack)
WEEK 1: Jan. 23-29
Tues: Introduction & Syllabus; What Is Asian American Literature?
Thurs: Rivers + A Day in the Life + On the Perfume [● / short stories]
WEEK 2: Jan. 30-Feb. 5
Tues: Yellow: Chapters 1 & 2
Thurs: I Love Yous Are for White People (pp. 1-131)
JACOB G.
WILLIAM M.
DELONA R.
WEEK 3: Feb. 6-12
Tues: I Love Yous Are for White People (pp. 132-end) TAYLEE F.
Thurs: Better Homes and Gardens + Arthur Arellano + The Other Woman [● / short stories]
KAITLIN K.
WEEK 4: Feb. 13-19
Tues: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother (entire book)
ROBERT F.
Thurs: Research Paper Workshop
********Presenters of Weeks 1 + 2 + 3: Response paper due
WEEK 5: Feb. 20-26
Tues: Yellow: Chapters 3 & 4 ANDREW H.
Thurs: No-No Boy (pp. 1-116) AMANDA P.
********Presenters of Weeks 4 + 5: Response paper due
WEEK 6: Feb. 27-Mar. 4
Tues: No-No Boy (pp. 117-end)
GRAHAME W.
Thurs: The Palmist + Slingshot + Close to the Bones [● / short stories]
► ESSAY # 1 due
WEEK 7: Mar. 5-11
Tues: Native Speaker (pp. 1-130)
Thurs: Native Speaker (pp. 131-230)
SARAH P.
ZACH H.
LANDON L.
WEEK 8: Mar. 12-18
Tues: Native Speaker (pp. 231-end)
PATRICIA N.
Thurs: Juan’s “Beyond Identity Politics …” + Lee’s “Asian American Lit. and the Resistances of
Theory” + Kim’s “Defining Asian American Realities through Lit.” [● / articles]
MARAH N. + COREY W.
******Presenters of Weeks 6 + 7 + 8: Response paper due
WEEK 9: Mar. 19-25
Tues: At the Love Leather + Everything Must Go + Fire [● / short stories]
ANDREA M.
Thurs: America Is in the Heart (pp. 1-160)
LAURA M.
WEEK 10: Mar. 26-Apr. 1
Tues: America Is in the Heart (pp. 161-end)
MADISON G.
Thurs: Yellow: Chapters 5 & 6
JONATHAN C.
********Presenters of Weeks 9 + 10: Response paper due
WEEK 11: Apr. 2-8
NO CLASS / SPRING BREAK
WEEK12: Apr. 9-15
Tues: The Latehomecomer (entire book)
JOHN L. (1ST half) + KATHY A. (2nd half)
Thurs: Koshy’s “Morphing Race Into Ethnicity…” + “The Fiction of Asian American Literature”
[● / articles]
ALISSA S.
► ESSAY # 2 due
WEEK 13: Apr. 16-22
Tues: China Men (pp. 1-150)
BEAU H.
Thurs: China Men (pp. 151-end)
BRITTANY D.
********Presenters of Weeks 12 + 13 + 14: Response paper due (my office)
WEEK 14: Apr. 23-29
Tues: Yellow: Chapters 7 & 8
Thurs: Review and conclusion
FINAL EXAM: TBA
QUINN B.