African American History and Literature - Spring Semester 2010

Kimberly Hanan-West ()

Scott Moeller ()

Course Description This course will focus on the study of African American history and culture from the pre-colonial roots in Africa to the present. Through a blending of African American history and literature, this course serves to broaden students’ knowledge of African Americans regarding the broader concepts of race, class, and gender. A variety of literary pieces and historical texts from diverse authors and time periods serve as the foundation of study in the course. Students will develop high-level skills in literary and historical reading, writing, and analysis.

Course Objectives:

  1. analyze literary and historical works for subject, theme, bias, and other important points.
  2. produce written works of literary and historical analysis.
  3. apply historical themes to contemporary issues.
  4. synthesize historical and contemporary issues in order to determine cause and effect relationships and establish thematic connections.
  5. develop a consciousness of one’s own learning and cultural awareness.
  6. trace the impact of race, class and gender issues on African American people.
  7. improve research, presentation, writing, technological and speaking skills.

Materials for this class will include:

A one-inch 3 ring binder with paper(To contain ALL class notes, handouts, quizzes, exams, and papers)

1 Single Subject Notebook

5 Dividers or tabs for the binder

Black or Blue ink pen

Packet of Post-It Notes

Assignment book

Grade Breakdown

Daily Assignments--Homework, Tests, and Quizzes 40% Be prepared to turn in daily work at the beginning of class. Summary/Response pieces, book reviews (both oral and written), as well as miscellaneous assignments are placed in this category.

Major Essays 40% Assignments in this category work on refining composition skills. Students will be asked to evaluate various pieces literature through writing. The major research paper will fall into this category.Students will also receive a grade for their rough drafts. Late drafts will receive a zero.

Portfolio 10% Your portfolio will be evaluated twice each semester. It should be kept neat and in logical order. The work contained within the portfolio should show growth and maturity as a writer.

Participation 10% Each student will receive weekly points for being prepared, present, and on time. Students will receive points for having assignments ready at the beginning of the block and for being a positive influence in the classroom.

Silent Reading Students will be given 10--15 minutes at the beginning of many classes for sustained silent reading. Students will be allowed to choose their own novel for sustained silent reading, however, the novel must be approved. Written Responses to these pieces as well as one-on-one discussions during academic lab will accompany this work. Students need to choose novels that are appropriate for their reading ability and use their academic lab time wisely.

Writing Assignments/Presentations You will be given a more detailed description of the assignments as the course progresses.

Portfolio You will be expected to keep everything you receive and everything you write in your portfolio. The portfolio will be collected at least twice per semester and graded. We will use the portfolio to track your progress as a writer, therefore, it is important that you keep it neat and organized. The portfolio is also and excellent way for you to keep track of your grade in my class.

Late Work Due to Absence We will not accept late work unless your absence is excused. If your absence is excused, We believe it is your responsibility to inquire about missed assignments during academic lab. If your absence is excused, you will have two class periods from the time you return to school to make up the work. If your absence is prolonged (roughly three or more class periods) another arrangement may be made with us so that you may have more time to make up the assignments.

The crates in the classroom contain the handouts and assignments for each day. We also recommend asking a reliable classmate for notes or assignments missed due to an absence. If you are still unclear, please see us during academic lab.

****Please note: if an absence remains unexcused for 3 days following the date of the absence, you will be given a zero for the work you missed.

Late Work All assignments will be due at the beginning of the class period.If you turn in an assignment a day late, 20% will be deducted from your grade. If the assignment is two days late, 50% will be deducted from the grade. Any assignment turned in after two days will receive a zero in the grade book.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism means representing someone else’s work as your own, and includes:

  1. Quoting or paraphrasing a primary or secondary source without citing that source and/or
  2. Copying, buying, or stealing an essay from another person or another source (including the Internet).

A radical difference in style from your other writing and/or failure on your part to supply credible notes and a rough draft should I ask to see them are both acknowledged as evidence of plagiarism. I will assign a zero to any essay if there is evidence that you knowingly plagiarized all or part of the essay.

Language - Vulgar, racist, sexist and other discriminatory language is unacceptable in this class.

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