Fall 2003

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

Department of English

Professor Ethel Morgan Smith Office Hours-Tue 4:30-6:30

327 Stansbury Hall and by appointment

293-3107 ext 412

African American Literature-English l54

This course is a historical introduction and survey in the literature of African Americans. We will examine issues of subjectivity and agency (ability to assert life), multiple consciousness and experience by looking at topics such as gender relations, family life, work patterns, organizational activities, and cultural production. In a way this is an interdisciplinary course in that we will draw upon the writings of fiction (novels) and nonfiction (memoirs).

Student participation is essential to the development of competency in analyzing these literary works, thus students are expected to be prepared for class by completing the readings prior to class discussion, and further to participate in class orally. This is a demanding course. Reading is a must!

CLASS OBJECTIVES

To stimulate the understanding and enjoyment of African-American literary works in relation to their historical period and their relationship to experience and culture

To develop the ability to read literary texts for meaning, structure and style

To develop critical reading, writing, and thinking skills through the analysis of literary works of African Americans

To deepen your understanding of American literature and culture through the specialized study of and focus on works by African Americans as important components of American literature, culture, and aesthetics

To recognize and critically analyze selected African-American works through genre, predominate themes, literary movements, and relationship to historical and social contexts.

CLASS PROCEDURES

1. Attendance is very necessary! If you cannot attend class for some reason, you are responsible for finding out from a classmate what you have missed, and what the assignment is for the next class meeting. Please do not call me at home for assignment you've missed. You are expected to be prepared to participate fully in the class discussion on the day you return to class, and to hand in any assignment that is due. Quizzes, homework, and writing inclass assignments cannot be made up if you're absent on the day they're due. Don't expect an A if you miss ONE day of class.

2. Class participation will be an important portion of your grade, not that it will be ~ equivalent in value to all of the written work and discussion. I will assume that each of i you would have read the assignment, and I will, therefore, feel free to call on you.

3. To prepare yourself for class discussions, mark what you read by underlining passages, or by writing the page and paragraph number down so that you can easily refer to materials. What I mean by that is, material that strikes you as important or interesting, or part of the text that you simply do not understand. This is a time to raise questions as well.

4. Assignments must be turned in as a minimum requirement for passing this course. Assignments are due at the end of the class on the due date. They should be placed in my hand. Late papers will be penalized one grade for each day they are late, and will receive a failing grade! In cases where illness or absences from campus has made it impossible for you to hand in your work on schedule, you must present a properly authorized excuse in order to avoid a late penalty.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Class Participation 20%

Two Quizzes 20%

(unannounced)

Midterm Examination 30%

Final Examination 30%

REQUIRED TEXTS:

The Price of the Ticket (film) James Baldwin

Evidence of Things Not Said by James Baldwin

Kindred by Octiva Butler

A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines, Jr.

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest Gaines, Jr.

Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones

The Big Sea by Langston Hughes

The Fisher King by Paula Marshall

Tar Baby by Toni Morrison

Linden Hills by Gloria Naylor

The Women of Brewster Place (film) Gloria Naylor

Brothers and Keepers by John Edgar Wideman

CLASS SCHEDULE:

Week of:

Aug 19^th Introduction-Review of Syllabus-Discussion on Expectations

Aug 25^th Evidence of Things Not Said

Sept 1^st Labor Day

Sept 2^nd The Price of the Ticket (shown in the audio library)

Sept 9^th Leaving Atlanta

Sept 16^th Coming of Age in Mississippi

Sept 23^rd The Big Sea

Sept 26^th Rosh Hashanah (Day of Special Concern)

Sept 30^th A Lesson Before Dying

Oct 3^rd Midterm Examination Week

Oct 6^th Yom Kippur (Day of Special Concern)

Oct 7^th The Fisher King

Oct 14^th Linden Hills

Oct 21^st Women of Brewster Place (film, shown at the audio visual library)

Oct 24^th Last Day to Drop a Class

Oct 28^th Tar Baby

Nov 4^th Women of Brewster Place (film)

Nov 4th Election Day

Nov 11^th Kindred

Nov 22^nd Thanksgiving Recess

Nov 30^th The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (film)

Dec 4^th Last Day of Class

Dec 5^th Last Day to Withdraw

Dec 10^th Final Examination Week (examine time and place will be announced)

West Virginia University is committed to social justice. The instructor of

this course, with WVU's commitment, expects to maintain a positive

learning environment based upon open communication and mutual

respect. Any suggestions as how to further such an environment will be

appreciated.