Writing Course Review Form (1/12)
I. General Education Review – Writing Course
Dept/Program
Course # (i.e. ENEX
English Dept.
LIT 343
Subject
200)
Course Title
African American Literature
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office.
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Instructor
9/11/2012
Quan Ha
Phone / Email
Quan.ha@mso.umt.edu
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 343: African American Literature
The New Negro: Voices of the Harlem Renaissance
In this course, we will study several classic texts of the Harlem Renaissance, a very important
African American cultural and literary movement in the early twentieth century (also known as the
“New Negro Movement”). The readings selected for the course include novels, short stories,
famous poems, a folk play, an autobiography, and scholarly articles about this period. Major topics
and issues discussed in the course are: a rebirth of black literature and art; the celebration of African
American culture; the pride in “blackness”; art as a tool for social justice and equal rights; African
American protest against dehumanizing legislation; blackness and cultural integrity; black
consciousness; and African American feminism.
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. 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 time-constrained
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.
Both 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
30%
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.
FALL 2012
LIT 343: African American Literature
The New Negro: Voices of the Harlem Renaissance
Instructor: Dr. Quan M. Ha
Office hours: Tues & Thurs 10:00-11:00 AM & 1:00-2:00 PM
Class meetings: Tues & Thurs 2:10-3:30 PM
E-mail: quan.ha@mso.umt.edu
Office: LA 213
Classroom: LA 306
Course Description
In this course, we will study several classic texts of the Harlem Renaissance, a very important
African American cultural and literary movement in the early twentieth century (also known as the
“New Negro Movement”). The readings selected for the course include novels, short stories, famous
poems, a folk play, an autobiography, and scholarly articles about this period. Major topics and
issues discussed in the course are: a rebirth of black literature and art; the celebration of African
American culture; the pride in “blackness”; art as a tool for social justice and equal rights; African
American protest against dehumanizing legislation; blackness and cultural integrity; black
consciousness; and African American feminism.
Expected Outcomes
-think critically about African American prose narratives, poetry, and drama, 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, identity, interracial and interethnic
relations, racial pride, etc.
7 Required Texts
William L. Andrews, ed., Classic Fiction of the Harlem Renaissance. ISBN: 978-0195081961.
Langston Hughes, Not without Laughter. ISBN: 978-0486454481.
George S. Schuyler, Black No More. ISBN: 978-0486480404.
James Weldon Johnson, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man. ISBN: 978-0486285122.
Wallace Thurman, The Blacker the Berry. ISBN: 978-0486461342
Jessie Redmon Fauset, Plum Bun. ISBN: 978-0807009192
LIT 343 Coursepack
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, 20 points will be
deducted for each additional absence. More than 4 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.
5. Make-up quizzes are for excused absences only.
Assignments
TWO FORMAL ESSAYS (1,600-1,700 words/essay): Specific instructions to be announced.
ONE ORAL PRESENTATION: You will prepare 8-10 questions for class discussion over the
readings you have been assigned. Make 15 copies of your questions and bring them to class for
distribution.
TWO EXAMS (in class): Specific instructions to be announced
READING QUIZZES: At the beginning of each class meeting, you will take a reading quiz.
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------------------------------ -------------------------------------200 points
Two major essays-------------------------------------------------------------------- 500 points (250
points/each)
Two exams--------------------------------------------------------------------------200 points (100
points/each)
Oral presentation--------------------------------------------------------------------- 50 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. Follow the MLA
guidelines for formatting, citations, and documentations.
3. For each formal essay, you must enter 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. Under no circumstance will I offer make-up tests/exams.
Grade Appeals
If you wish to appeal a grade, you should first consult with me. You will have 4 days, from the time
the grade is assigned/posted, to set up an appointment with me to discuss the grade. After 4 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.
Reading Schedule (subject to change)
Week 1: Aug. 27—Sept. 2
Tues: Introduction & syllabus
Thurs: Zora N. Hurston, in Classic Fiction of the HR (pp. 75-100)
COREY W.
Week 2: Sept. 3—9
Tues: Jean Toomer, in Classic Fiction of the HR (pp. 15-37) DAN NELSON
Thurs: Hughes, Not Without Laughter (pp. 1-111)
ISAAC I.
Week 3: Sept. 10—16
Tues: Hughes, Not Without Laughter (pp. 112-end) AMANDA S.
Thurs: Rudolph Fisher + Langston Hughes, in Classic Fiction of the HR (pp. 239-253 & pp. 363379) VERONIKA
Week 4: Sept. 17—23
Tues: Locke’s “Enter the New Negro” + Poems 1 & 2 in Coursepack MORGAN L.
Thurs: Schuyler, Black No More (pp. 1-75) JENNA F.
Week 5: Sept. 24—30
Tues: Schuyler, Black No More (pp. 76-end) TYLER T.
Thurs: Poems 3 + 4 + 5 in Coursepack
JEFFREY J.
Week 6: Oct. 1—7
Tues: McKay, Home to Harlem, in Classic Fiction of the HR (pp. 101-177)
Thurs: McKay, Home to Harlem (178-237) VICTORIA G.
LANDON L.
Week 7: Oct. 8—14
****** Tues: Mid-term Exam
Thurs: Keller’s “The Harlem Literary Renaissance” + Baker’s “Modernism and the Harlem
Renaissance” + Hart’s “Black-White Literary Relations in the Harlem Renaissance” in
Coursepack IRVAN B.
Week 8: Oct. 15—21
****** Essay # 1 due, 11:00 AM, Monday, Oct. 15, my office
Tues: Johnson, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man (pp. 1-60)
Thurs: Johnson, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man (pp. 61-end)
Week 9: Oct. 22—28
ROSE D.
JANELLE S.
Tues: Gayle’s “The Harlem Renaissance: Towards a Black Aesthetic” in Coursepack + Toomer’s
“Kapnis” in Classic Fiction of the HR (pp. 38-73)
ELISA N.
Thurs: Fauset’s “The Gift of Laughter” + Richardson’s Compromise in Coursepack SOPHIE O.
Week 10: Oct. 29—Nov. 4
Tues: Poems 7 + 8 + 9 in Coursepack ROBIN Z.
Thurs: Fauset’s Plum Bun (pp. 1-172) SUZANNE F.
Week 11: Nov. 5—11
Tues: Election Day / No Class
Thurs: Fauset’s Plum Bun (pp. 173-end)
TORIE P.
Week 12: Nov. 12—18
Tues: Larsen, Quicksand, in Classic Fiction of the HR (pp. 255-361) ANNA-MARIE B.
Thurs: Holmes’s “Alain Locke and the New Negro Movement” + Braithwaite’s “The Negro in
American Literature” in Coursepack BRITNI E.
Week 13: Nov. 19—25
Tues: Individual meetings with students (no reading assigned)
****** Essay # 2 due (5:00 PM, Tues., Nov. 20, in my office)
Thurs: Thanksgiving/No Class
Week 14: Nov. 26—Dec. 2
Tues: Mason’s “Alain Locke on Race and Race Relations” + Braithwaite’s “Alain Locke's
Relationship to the Negro in American Literature” in Coursepack
ANNA Z.
Thurs: Thurman, The Blacker the Berry (pp. 1-84)
HANNAH C.
Week 15: Dec. 3—9
Tues: Thurman, The Blacker the Berry (pp. 85-end)
Thurs: Poems 10 + 11 + 12 + 13 (last day of class)
****** Final Exam: TBA
JONATHAN H.
REBBECA S.