Instructor:
Thursdays –
Office Hours:
Email:
REQUIRED TEXT:
Achebe, Chinua
Asante, M.K. Jr.
Butler, Octavia
McCall, Nathan
Morrison, Toni
Dr. Bonnie Reddick
4:00 – 6:40 PM ~ AH-4176
By Appointment Only ~ AL369
breddick@mail.sdsu.edu
Things Fall Apart
Buck
Kindred
Them
The Bluest Eye
WELCOME
Welcome to the Africana Studies 260 community of writers and critical thinkers.
This semester, we will examine a variety of African American literature produced
by people of African descent. We will explore a multitude of concepts, themes,
issues, and writers that define and advance the Africana literary tradition. We
will analyze social, political, economic, historical, cultural, and aesthetic contexts
that are a part of the Africana experience.
PREREQUISITE:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Oral and written literature produced by people of African descent. How Africana
people use language to communicate their history and culture. Basic literary
vocabulary, techniques, and theories for the non-specialist.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the semester, students will demonstrate their ability to think
critically, analyze issues, and present them orally and in writing. Students will
analytically present and support an argument; critique the ideas and opinions of
others, and write and present cogent arguments, demonstrating his/her
knowledge of appropriate research techniques, MLA or APA documentation, and
overall organization.
By the end of the semester, students will demonstrate a comprehensive
understanding of the African world experience as a dynamic and unfolding
process. Students will be able to explain the impact of slavery and colonization
on African peoples and society. Students will explore the political, economic and
social movements for the liberation of African people worldwide. Students will
be able to identify and explain the dislocation and relocation of African people in
the Diaspora.
GRADING:
Quizzes
`
Critical Reading Responses
Midterm
Final
Attendance & Participation
TOTAL POINTS
10%
30%
20%
30%
10%
100%
A (95-100); A- (90-94); B+ (86-89); B (83-85); B- (80-82); C+ (76-79);
C (73-75); C- (70-72); D+ (66-69); D (63-65); D- (60-62); F (0-59)
READING
Reading is an important part of developing strong writing and critical thinking
skills. Completion of all assigned readings will be necessary for quizzes,
homework, essays, exams, and class discussions.
WRITING
The culminating experience for this course is a research paper. A typical research
paper has three components: 1) it is a compilation of various sources on a
particular topic, and the writer’s charge is to summarize and/or paraphrase the
information. This is where you become the subject-matter expert; 2) analysis –
every scholar is obligated to systematically deconstruct the information and offer
his/her perspective; 3) The most important aspect of this process is the writer’s
also obligation to offer his/her unique perspective.
Turnitin.com
Students agree that by taking this course all required papers will be subject to
submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of
plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the
Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of
such papers. You may submit your papers in such a way that no identifying
information about you is included. Another option is that you may request, in
writing, that your papers not be submitted to Turnitin.com. However, if you
choose this option you will be required to provide documentation to substantiate
that the papers are your original work and do not include any plagiarized
material.
QUIZZES
There may be a quiz on each reading assignment. Quizzes will be given at the
beginning of class. You will be given 10 minutes. If you arrive late or miss class,
you cannot make it up. Quizzes may contain True/False, Multiple Choice and
short fill in questions.
CRITICAL READING RESPONSE
Each student will write a Critical Reading Response to each text. The purpose of
a critical reading response is to examine, explain, and defend your personal
reaction to a text. It obligates you to go beyond whether you like it or not, and
it requires you to articulate specifically why you like or dislike the text. In
addition, it compels you to apply your examination of the text to your own life.
You must demonstrate an understanding of the text by clearly explaining and
supporting your commentary with specific examples. To that extent, your
response should not contain a lengthy summary of the text; rather, it should
incorporate analysis that leads to logical and reasonable conclusions.
You will be provided with questions, and you will be asked to response to a
number of them. Each response should stake a CLAIM. What is your thesis?
Please highlight your thesis in bold text. Include EVIDENCE that is properly
cited, and articulate your RATIONALE (analysis). Your scholarly voice should
resonate. Each response should be cogent, fluid, and mechanically sound.
Your response should be typed using 12-point font and double-spaced. Submit
all critical reading responses to turnitin.com by 4:00 on the due date.
MIDTERM
The Midterm will be essay questions on Things Fall Apart and Kindred and any
videos or classroom discussions. PLEASE BRING A BLUE BOOK.
FINAL
The final examination will be essay questions on The Bluest Eye, Them and Buck
and any videos or classroom discussions. PLEASE BRING A BLUE BOOK.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION
Participation in this class is essential. We will make it our practice to engage in
the art of conversation. Each of you will be responsible for initiating and
responding to questions and observations. Conversations will occur in small and
large group discussions.
You can do your part by coming to class on time, remaining alert, and being
willing to ask questions and share ideas. You should also keep in mind that
participating in an inappropriate manner or refusing to participate in class
activities will considerably lower your course grade. Many students refrain from
commenting during class discussions out of fear that they will give the wrong
answer or say something embarrassing. I encourage each of you to risk sharing
opinions that you are not entirely sure of. Since none of the readings can be
said to have a “perfect” interpretation, your comments can only assist the class
in its primary goal of critically exploring the ideas presented in the various texts
we will read.
Attendance is crucial to your success in this class. I record attendance every
day. If you arrive after I have taken attendance, it is your responsibility to come
up to me at the end of class to change your absence to a tardy. No absence
will be changed after the day you come late.
TARDINESS/LEAVING EARLY
Unless you have made prior arrangements with me, you are expected to be in
class on time and remain until class is over. Unexcused incidents of leaving early
will be counted as an absence for that day. Arranging with me to arrive late or
leave early should be the exception not the rule. If you have a commitment that
requires you to arrive late or leave early on a regular basis, you should take this
class at another time. Note: Excessive tardies will significantly reduce your
course grade.
CHEATING/PLAGARISIM
“Cheating shall be defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit
for academic work by the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means.
Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to (a) copying, in part or in
whole, from another’s test or other examination; (b) discussing answers or ideas
relating to the answers on a test or other examination without the permission of
the instructor; (c) obtaining copies of a test, an examination, or other course
material without the permission of the instructor; (d) using notes, cheat sheets,
or other devices considered inappropriate under the prescribed testing condition;
(e) collaborating with another or others in work to be presented without the
permission of the instructor; (f) falsifying records, laboratory work, or other
course data; (g) submitting work previously presented in another course, if
contrary to the rules of the course; (h) altering or interfering with the grading
procedures; (i) plagiarizing, as defined; and (j) knowingly and intentionally
assisting another student in any of the above.
2.2 Plagiarism shall be defined as
the act of incorporating ideas, words, or specific substance of another, whether
purchased, borrowed, or otherwise obtained, and submitting same to the
University as one’s own work to fulfill academic requirements without giving
credit to the appropriate source. Plagiarism shall include but not be limited to (a)
submitting work, either in part or in whole, completed by another; (b) omitting
footnotes for ideas, statements, facts, or conclusions that belong to another; (c)
omitting quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a
paragraph, sentence, or part thereof; (d) close and lengthy paraphrasing of the
writings of another; (e) submitting another person’s artistic works, such as
musical compositions, photographs, paintings, drawings, or sculptures; and (f)
submitting as one’s own work papers purchased from research companies.
Academic and Punitive Sanctions: Cheating and plagiarism in connection
with the academic program at The University may warrant two separate and
distinct courses of disciplinary action that may be applied concurrently in
response to a violation of this policy: (a) academic sanctions, such as grade
modifications; and (b) punitive sanctions, such as probation, suspension, or
expulsion. Academic sanctions are concerned with the student’s grades and are
the responsibility of the instructor involved. Punitive sanctions are concerned
with the student’s records and status on campus and shall be the responsibility
of the University President or designated representative. The Coordinator of
Judiciary Procedures shall be the President’s representative in matters of student
discipline.”
http:/senate.sdsu.edu/policy/pfacademics.html
ACCOMMODATION OF DISABILITY
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need
accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact Student
Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of
your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as
soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive,
and that I cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until I
have received an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services.
OTHER COURSE POLICIES
1.
Treat other students and me with respect. Students are expected to
refrain from behavior that interferes with the learning of other
students.
2.
Come to class prepared.
3.
Except during group work, only one person at a time may address the
class. You are expected to listen attentively and refrain from
conversation while another person is speaking.
4.
No cell phones or other electronic equipment may be
operated in class. Do not surf the internet or text message a friend.
Your are welcome to use your computers to record notes, but please do
not surf the internet. If I observe you violating this policy, I will
confiscate your computer, phone or tablet until the end of class.
5.
LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
6.
ALL CLASSWORK MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA turnitin.com. Please
do not email your assignments to me.