Summer Reading Assignment: Humanities Collaboration AP Junior English AND AP American History, 2015

The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley

Malcolm X was (and still is) a powerful and controversial figure in American history. He was - at different points of his life - a scholar, a pimp, a drug dealer, a preacher, and an internationally respected speaker. His narrative, while always interesting, will likely make you angry in places. Be prepared for that. But know, too, that he is not the same person at the end of his life as he is in the beginning (something the media conveniently disregards). .

Your Assignment:

  1. Read and mark your text (see the list in #2). Read all three parts – the Introduction by M. S. Handler, the text Malcolm dictates to AH, and the Epilogue, which was written entirely by AH without MX’s input.
  • Look closely at the beginnings and endings of chapters. Is there a pattern? What makes them effective in drawing the reader in urging them to move on to the next chapter?
  • Prophetic elements, particularly foreshadowing (we know about the end of his life).
  • Note the differencebetween his oratorical voice (lectures / speeches) and the voice he uses to tell the story to Alex Haley. His tone has been called “conversational”; where do you see examples ?
  • What does his story suggest about the power of education (and not just “book learning”) and the idea of the American Dream?
  • Finally, pay attention to the four different phases, each associated with a different name, which MX goes through: Malcolm Little, Detroit Red, Malcolm X, and el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz.
  1. After you’ve finished all three parts of the text, write a well-organized, stylistically sophisticated essay that answers the following questions: Who is his audience? What is his (final) purpose? Does he achieve it? Why or why not? Obviously you will need to use plenty of evidence from the text. MINIMUM 500 words.
  2. Next, watch the movie Selma. MX claims that his position is actually helping Dr. King. Explain what he means by that, and support, challenge, or qualify MX’s statement. MINIMUM 350 words. Use specific evidence from the text to support your answer.
  3. Finally, read the article “Nonviolence As Compliance,” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, published April 27th, 2015 in The Atlantic. Here’s the link: Explain what you think MX’s response would be to this article and, in a bigger sense, to this current racial tension. Make sure that you take into account Malcolm’s changes after he breaks from Elijah Muhhamad. MINIMUM 350 words. Use specific evidence from the reading to support your answer.

In AP classes, if your answer is superficial in its level of thought or if it is stylistically undeveloped, you will not earn an A grade though your answer may be technically correct. Only the very best answers will earn an A: those which show insight and understanding while explaining arguments with thorough support and explanation.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Work is due on the first full day of classes. Come to class with the work already printed in your hand.
  • THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT ASSIGNMENT. This means that you may not work with another student on this assignment. The work must be entirely your own.
  • CONSULTING AN OUTSIDE SOURCE SUCH AS SPARKNOTES OR CLIFF’S NOTES IS AN HONOR CODE VIOLATION. If we suspect you have used Sparknotes or any other such outside source, we will consider it a disciplinary issue and will turn your work over for investigation.
  • YOUR GRADES ON YOUR SUMMER READING WORK ARE VERY IMPORTANT. They will have a BIG impact on your average for the first quarter. Since there typically aren’t many grades earned during the first quarter, each grade counts more heavily. Earning a zero or an F (even a C or a B) on this work will have serious and lingering consequences. Note that average work will earn you an average grade. Putting in minimal effort will earn you no higher than a C. Although you will not earn a high grade based on effort alone (It’s about overall QUALITY), If you wish to earn a higher grade, your work should be insightful and thoughtfully written, which will require additional effort. Take this work seriously and do your best.

THIS GRADE WILL COUNT IN BOTH ENGLISH AND HISTORY.