Sheila V. Baldwin, Ed.D.
Introduction to Literature: African American
English Department
52-1600-01 (3cr HL) Room 420 A Congress
Columbia College Chicago
Monday 9:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
33 E. Congress, 300-B
Summer 2006
Office: (312) 344-8105
E-mail: sbaldwin@ colum.edu
Fax: (312) 344-8001
Office hours: By appointment due to 3rd floor renovations
Course Description
This course introduces students to genres of fiction, drama, and poetry. By studying important
works by African American writers, students gain experience in reading, analyzing, and
interpreting literature. The course establishes connections between literature and other areas of
arts and communications; students are better prepared for these fields. Prerequisite: English
Composition I.
Rationale
This course fulfills the General Education Humanities/Literature requirement. Students who
enrolled at Columbia College after fall, 1997, must take Introduction to Literature in order to
fulfill the General Education requirement for Humanities/Literature. Transfer students must take
this course if they do not transfer in a course that fulfills the requirement by the Academic
Advising Department or the English Department.
Goals
Students will become familiar with one or more of the major forms of literature (poetry, drama,
fiction, and non-fiction); and be able to demonstrate that familiarity by being able to read and
write critically about one of the forms (genres).
Objectives
By the end of the semester students will be able:
To demonstrate a critical understanding of and appreciation for literature when
analyzing stories, poems, and plays.
To understand and appreciate figurative language (metaphors, similes, and the like)
in poetry, fiction, and drama.
To understand, appreciate, and apply knowledge of plot, character, point of view,
imagery, theme, setting, irony, tone, symbols and language when reading fiction,
poetry, or drama.
To develop a reasonable interpretation of a literary text and to support that
interpretation with evidence.
To identify common or universal themes (such as the theme of difference) in
literature by writers of different races, genders and ethnic backgrounds.
To identify similarities between works of literature and other works of art of forms of
communication.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes as scheduled below—attendance is mandatory! This
course requires student’s participation as they work through the writing process for themselves
and learn from helping others with their writing. This is a Hybrid class—a class in which a
significant portion of the learning activities have been moved online, and time traditionally spent
in the classroom is reduced but not eliminated. The goal of Hybrid courses is to join the best
features of in-class teaching with the best features of online learning to promote active
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independent learning and reduce class seat time. Hybrid classes do not necessarily meet twice a
week. Class time will be devoted to learning about African American literature that includes
writing, revising, or participating in peer review. When class is not held students are expected to
engage in discussion online forums.
In the case of Hybrid courses that meet twice a week, a student who misses more than four
classes – either face-to-face, online, or a combination – will fail the course. A student who fails
to post an acceptable assignment to the class website during the assigned "window" of time will
be counted absent for that class day.
Technical problems online: While these do occur either at home or from an on-campus
connection, they are usually not valid reasons for failing to fulfill the requirements for attendance
on that day. Students are responsible for allocating enough time to complete online assignments,
and they should include the possibility of technical "glitches." Thus students need to allow
enough time to try again later or to travel to a campus computer lab or alternative place to
complete the assignment and therefore avoid an absence for the day. Exceptions may be made by
the instructor in the event of widespread computer viruses or some other large-scale event
affecting Columbia College's computer network, but exceptions will not be made for routine
computer problems.
If a student misses a class, the student is responsible for finding out what was covered in class
and what is need to prepare for the next class. Students can see me personally, contact me via email, check the OASIS site, or contact a classmate to find out what they missed. An absence is
not a legitimate excuse for being un-prepared or for not turning in an assignment on time.
Tardiness: If you are more than ten minutes late to class, or leave more than ten minutes early, it
will count as half an absence. Excessive tardiness will seriously jeopardize your grade. Plan to
arrive on campus early.
Assignments
All reading and writing assignments are to be read as scheduled below unless stated in class. All
papers are to be submitted to me on their respective due dates as hard copies OR in an electronic
format (i.e. as an e-mail attachment or on a disk). Writing assignments must be turned in on time;
late papers will not be accepted.
Students will be evaluated on their participation in peer review sessions (forums), in which they
read and respond critically to the writing of their classmates. I will evaluate students based on the
thoughtfulness and engagement that they demonstrated in peer review sessions.
Papers: The papers are to be interpretive and/or analytical essays not a retelling of the story.
Papers should demonstrate a high level of literary analysis and criticism. Follow The Modern
Language Association (MLA) documentation guidelines in developing papers. Document all
resources used; endnotes are preferable to footnotes, and author/page number of works must be
included within the text of your paper; for example (Jones 2). Students are encouraged to use the
campus libraries (main library, 624 S. Michigan, and the Center for Black Music Research
Library, 623 S. Wabash), to find support for their papers.
Drafts: A draft of major papers, including the bibliography necessary, is to be turned in to receive
comments from the class and instructor. In order to receive a grade the returned draft must
be rewritten. Submit both the first draft and the final draft to receive a grade for the assignment.
Failure to turn in both drafts will result in a failing grade.
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Project/Presentations: Students may choose to give individual or group presentations on a project
that derived from a literary piece of writing that was read or discussed during the semester. The
presentations may come from the student’s research. For group projects, each student in the
group must contribute to the presentation. Presentations should reflect the student’s interpretation
of literary topics. Students should be creative and make connections from the literature. Students
can combine the research/project required for another class with the research/project for this
class. Each presentation should be five to eight minutes in length.
Writing Center: If needed and/or suggested, students should attend the Writing Center (33 E.
Congress, First Floor) to receive assistance with their writing.
Evaluation—Grades
Students cannot pass this course without completing all assignments. While students will not
receive any credit for assignments more than a week late, students must at lease complete all
assignments in order to pass the class—a student can not just “slide by” and complete only part of
the work and still pass the class. In general, students are allowed an extension if they contact me
prior to the assignment being due. Up to a week late, you will lose a half or a full letter grade,
depending upon the assignment. After a week goes by, the assignment counts as a zero, but you
will preserve your right to try to complete the class.
Your final grade will be based on the percentage of points you receive out of 600 total points
possible for the course.
Grades will be determined by the quality of the assignments, class participation (e.g. having read
assigned materials, bringing books, journals and utensils to class; and forum discussions). Grades
for the assignments are as follows:
Forum discussions (3 sets @ 50 each)
First paper
Second paper
Project/Presentation
97 – 100% = A
90 – 91% = A-
150 points
200 points
300 points
150 points
800 points
Grading Scale (percentage of 800 points earned)
88 - 89% = B+
78 – 79% = C+
68 – 69% = D+
82 - 87 % = B
72 – 79% = C
62 – 67% = D
80 - 81% = B70 – 71% = C61 or less = F
Academic Integrity—Plagiarism
Plagiarism is when a student submits a paper that does not properly acknowledge the writing of
someone else. Plagiarism is stealing. Whenever you borrow a phrase, sentence, paragraph—or
even an idea stated in your own words—from any outside source (news writing, magazine, TV
show, book) without giving credit to that source, you have plagiarized. Plagiarism is cheating
yourself and someone else. Plagiarism can occur in one or more of several ways. For example:
1( quoting or paraphrasing without giving proper credit; 2) in an entire paper written by someone
else; 3) including large portions of someone else’s writing in your paper and passing it off as your
own; and 4) retrieving a paper off line and stating that it is your own.
Plagiarism may result in a failure for the assignment or the course. We will review strategies for
avoiding plagiarism early in the semester. The consequences are severe, including failure for the
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assignment, probable failure for the course, disciplinary referral to the Dean, and possible
expulsion from the College. The Columbia College Chicago Catalog states: “The College
prohibits the following conduct: all forms of academic dishonesty including cheating, plagiarism,
knowingly furnishing false information to the College, forgery, alteration or fraudulent use of
College documents, instruments, or identification.” If there are any concerns about the classes’
academic integrity framework, please ask me!
Disclaimer
This syllabus may be amended as the course proceeds. Students will be notified of all changes.
Required Materials
Smith, Rochelle and Jones, Sharon L., The Prentice Hall Anthology of African
American Literature, Prentice-Hall: New Jersey, 2000.
A number of handouts will be distributed during the semester.
A writing handbook
Additionally:
o Handouts and additional readings posted on OASIS and/or distributed in class
o Your OASIS login and password
o An 8½ x 11 inch spiral notebook to record the writing activities and assignments
References
Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. New York: Random House. 1947.
Franklin, C. L. Give Me This Mountain: Life History and Selected Sermons. Ed.
Jeff Todd Titon. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. 1989.
I’ll Make Me a World. Pro. Blackside in association with Thirteen/WNET New York.
PBS Videocassette. VA: Alexandria. c1999.
Morrison, Toni. Beloved. New York: Plume. 1987.
Petrie, Daniel, Dir., A Raisin in the Sun, Columbia Pictures. 1961.
Riggs, Marlon, Dir., Ethnic Notions, California Newsreel. 1987.
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Course Calendar
Below is the schedule of classes. In addition class assignments will be modified and
additional readings and short writings will be assigned during the semester. This will
happen sparingly as I will try to keep the calendar as it appears. However, detailed
assignments for writing projects, various readings, homework and forum discussions will
be provided in class and on OASIS.
Monday
Week
Wednesday
May 22
INTRODUCTION
1
May 24
COLONIAL PERIOD
Introduce students to texts, goals and
class expectations
Discuss:
 African American literary writing
during the Colonial Period
Discuss:
 Documentary approach of
African American literature
 African American stereotypical
images
 Read: Writing About African
American Literature
Homework:
 Reading assignment: Introduction,
Walker, Jacob, Brown, pp. 37-84.
Homework:
 Read Colonial Period, pp. 5-36
 Write 1-page reflection
May 29
NO CLASS
2
May 31
NO CLASS
FORUM DISCUSSION: On
questions at the end of the
Colonial Period—1 & 3, and one
from 2, 4, & 5.
Homework:
 Reading assignment: Wilson,
Harper, Grimke, & Douglass, pp.
85-113.
 Writing assignment: 3-page
paper on questions 1, and any
of the remaining.
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June 5
ANTEBELLUM PERIOD &
RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD
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Discuss:
 Morrison, excerpt from Beloved,
& C.L. Franklin, Except I Shall
See in His Hands the Print of the
Nails and Thrust My Hand into
His Side
Discuss:
 Wilson, Harper, Grimke, &
Douglass, pp. 85-113
 Chestnutt, pp. 127-143, &
Dunbar, pp. 155-161
PAPER DUE: COLONIAL OR
ANTEBELLUM PERIOD
Homework:
 Reading assignment: Truth, p.
112; C.L. Franklin, Except I
Shall See in His Hands the Print
of the Nails and Thrust My
Hand into His Side—handouts
June 12
HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Homework:
 Reading assignment: Introduction,
DuBois, Washington, Johnson, pp.
163-199
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Discuss:
 Reading assignments:
Introduction, DuBois,
Washington, Johnson, pp. 163199
Homework:
 Reading assignment: West, p.
295; Hurston, p. 403-06; Larsen,
p. 415-421.
June 19
HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Discuss:
 Reading assignment: McKay, p.
258; Hughes, p. 444; Cullen, p.
447; Brown, p. 452.
Homework:
 Reading assignment:
Introduction, p. 468; Petry, 475;
Wright, p. 483; Ellison, pp. 55259 + handout—“Battle Royal.”
June 7
ORAL TELLINGS: SERMONS
June 14
HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Discuss:
 Reading assignment: West, p. 295;
Hurston, p. 403-06; Larsen, p.
415-421.
Homework:
 Reading assignment: McKay, p.
258; Hughes, p. 444; Cullen, p.
447; Brown, p. 452.
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June 21
NO CLASS
FORUM DISCUSSION: Writers
of the HARLEM RENAISSANCE
& PROTEST MOVEMENT
Homework:
 Reading assignment: Hansberry, A
Raisin in the Sun, pp. 593-657
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June 26
DRAMA: PROTEST
MOVEMENT
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June 28
PROTEST MOVEMENT
Discuss:
 Readings—Brooks and Baldwin
 View I’ll Make Me A World
Discuss:
 A Raisin in the Sun
Homework:
 Read: Neal, “Black Arts
Movement,” p. 992 + handout
Homework:
 Read Introduction, pp. 658-662;
Brooks, p. 570 + handouts;
Baldwin, p. 576 + handout
July 3
NO CLASS
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July 5
NO CLASS
FORUM: DISCUSSION POETRY
BLACK ARTS MOVEMENT
July 10
DUE: FINAL PAPER
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July 12
LAST CLASS PRESENTATIONS