EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY  -- College of Arts and Sciences Syllabus
English 390 Multicultural Literature/Film (4 credits; 63073)
Winter 2007 MTRF 12-12:50 LH 117

Instructor: Nancy Knowles, Loso Hall 146, 962-3795, nknowles@eou.edu , M 10-11:50 AM, F 11-11:50 AM and by appointment
Course Home Page: http://www.eou.edu/~nknowles/winter2007/engl390w07.html
Catalog Description: This course will be an intensive study of one or more of the following: women, minority, or regional writers; popular or folk texts; literature in translation; film. Prerequisites: ENGL 109, and one British or American survey course; upper-division standing.
Required Texts: Brink A Dry White Season, Graver Drama for a New South Africa, Hirson The Lava of this Land, Memmi The Colonizer and the Colonized, Thompson A History of South Africa, and access to handbook with MLA citation information http://wwwold.ccc.commnet.edu/mla/
Films: Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony (documentary 2003), A Dry White Season (adaptation 1989), Tsotsi (adaptation 2005)

Learning Outcomes (Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...):

1. Read South African literature and film critically
2. Situate South African literature and film in its socio-historical context
3. Analyze South African literature and film using postcolonial theory
4. Evaluate and produce effective interpretation
5. Perform scholarly research
   

Means of Assessment and Grading:

• Participation in whole-class discussion (outcomes 1-3; 5%)
• Quizzes (outcomes 1-3; 5%): eight out of ten, no make-ups
  
• Small Group Work (outcomes 1-3; 5%): eight out of ten, no make-ups
  
• Writing Response (outcome 4; 5%): no make-ups
• Four 2-Page (500-word) Papers (outcomes 1-4; 10% or 2.5% each), one for each unit--poetry, novel, plays, and films: 
• The thesis should indicate what interests you about the text(s) (.5)
  
• The structure should employ logically ordered, single-topic paragraphs and transitions (.5)
• The analysis should demonstrate mastery of the unit by connecting one or more texts from the unit to quotes from Thompson and Memmi and analyzing at least one quoted passage per text in relation to your interests (1)
• Include a works cited (.5)
  
• Three Projects (outcomes 1-5; 60%): Develop three projects demonstrating mastery of course materials by focusing on one aspect of the literature and film and connecting that aspect to Thompson and Memmi. At least one project must be a minimum 5-page (1250-word) academic paper; all can be. Other potential projects might be multiworks, imitations, presentations, performances, personal essays, or other creative responses. If you do two "other" projects, please vary the genres. One collaborative project is permitted per student with permission; groups must demonstrate work is shared equally. These other projects should be accompanied by a 2-page (500 word) paper indicating how they demonstrate mastery of course materials. All projects should include a works cited. At least one project should incorporate scholarly research (see Annotated Works Cited below). Using research for a collaborative project multiplies the number of sources required by the number of participants; each participant is responsible for his or her own research. Submit copies of pages cited. See rubrics.
  
• Annotated Works Cited (outcome 5; 5%): Demonstrate scholarly research skills by preparing a works cited in MLA format  including a minimum of ten scholarly sources related to one project. Scholarly sources are peer-reviewed journal articles and books. At least five of the ten should be journal articles located through the MLA Bibliography. Internet sites may be used only with permission. Including Thompson and Memmi is OK. Each works cited entry should be followed by a paragraph summary of the source indicating the source's argument (e.g. Smith argues that...), the evidence employed to support that argument, the purpose and audience, and the way you envision the source will be useful to your project.
  
• Final (outcomes 1-3; 5%): comprehensive, open-book essay examination
  
• Extra Credit Project (outcomes 1-4; 10%): Read Athol Fugard's novel Tsotsi (on reserve) and write an academic paper analyzing the film adaptation: what are the similarities and differences between the two? Why do you think the filmmakers chose the differences? Consider South African history, postcolonial theory, audience, and the differences between prose and film genres.
  

A 92-100, A- 90-91, B+ 88-89, B 82-87, B- 80-81, C+ 78-79, C 72-77, C- 70-71, D+ 68-69, D 62-67, D- 60-61, F 59 and below

Course Requirements:

• Read all agreed upon readings by the unit date. Bring text to class.
• Deadlines: in-class work cannot be made up; late submissions will be penalized.
• Academic writing must be word-processed with a 12-point font and 1" margins. Check grammar and spelling before submission.
  
• Project final drafts must be accompanied by drafts demonstrating substantial revision, copies of all cited secondary materials, and a works cited page.
• Revision is permitted and may be required. All revisions must be accompanied by the graded draft. Revision grades, if higher, will replace the initial grade, but revision does not guarantee a higher grade.
• The final examination is an institutional requirement. Rescheduling the final requires permission from the course instructor and the Dean of Arts & Sciences.
• Extra Credit awarded for: excellent participation, visits to the Writing Lab (submit blue form), and the Extra Credit Project.
  
• Keep copies of all your work until you receive your official course grade.
  
• Those who cannot treat others respectfully will be asked to leave. Repeated problems will result in disciplinary action.
  
• Statement on Academic Misconduct: Eastern Oregon University places a high value upon the integrity of its student scholars. Any student found guilty of an act of academic misconduct (including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or theft of an examination or supplies) may be subject to having his or her grade reduced in the course in question, being placed on program or suspended from the university, or being expelled from the university--or a combination of these.
• Collaboration means sharing work equally. Doing someone else's work or allowing someone to do yours is cheating. 
• Use MLA citation format: cite all summarized, paraphrased, and quoted information; quote special concepts and more than three words from the original; paraphrasing requires changing wording and sentence structure; your work should significantly exceed the quantity of citations and build new ideas upon them. 
• No work from another course may be used for credit in this one without prior permission from both instructors.
• If you have a documented disability or suspect that you have a learning problem and need accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Program in Loso Hall 234. Telephone: 962-3081.

Schedule by Week

1. 1/8M--1/9T What Do You Know? Assignment (see below)--1/11R Quiz 1; Hirson Intro. and Section I--1/12F Thompson Chron. and Chpt. 1, Memmi Preface and Intro.
2. 1/15M No class--1/16T Quiz 2--1/18R--1/19F Hirson Sections II and III, Thompson Chpt. 2, Memmi 3-18
3. 1/22M Quiz 3--1/23T Hirson Section IV--1/25R Hirson Section V, Thompson Chpt. 3, Memmi 19-44--1/26F* Submit Poetry 2-Page Paper to my mailbox in LH 154; Library?
4. 1/29M Quiz 4--1/30T Project 1 Rough Draft (bring copies)--2/1R*--2/2F* Brink Fwd.-Part Two Chpt. 2, Thompson Chpt. 4, Memmi 45-76
5. 2/5M Quiz 5--2/6T Brink Part Two Chpt. 3-Part Three Chpt. 6, Thompson Chpt. 5, Memmi 79-89--2/8-9RF No class; Submit Project 1 to my mailbox in LH 154
6. 2/12M Quiz 6--2/13T Brink Part Three Chpt. 7-Epilogue--2/15R Annotated Works Cited?--2/16F Thompson Chpt. 6, Memmi 90-118; Novel 2-Page Paper
7. 2/19M Quiz 7--2/20T Project 2 Rough Draft (bring copies)--2/22R Graver Introduction, Sophiatown, and Horn--2/23F Thompson Chpt. 7, Memmi 119-141
8. 2/26M Quiz 8--2/27T Graver Girls, Mooi, and Purdah--3/1R--3/2F Thompson Chpt. 8, Memmi 145-69
9. 3/5M Quiz 9--3/6T  Project 3 Rough Draft (bring copies)--3/8R*--3/9* Graver Crossing and Ipi, Thompson Chpt. 9
10. 3/12M Quiz 10--3/13T Plays 2-Page Paper--3/15R Films 2-Page Paper--3/16F Project 3
    

Final 3/21W 10-noon

What Do You Know? Assignment

Develop your knowledge of South Africa by locating some information online as assigned. Print and bring interesting information to class. Websites:

African National Congress (ANC) http://www.anc.org.za/
BBC News Country Profile South Africa http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1071886.stm
BBC News Headlines from Africa http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/default.stm
Dispatch South Africa news http://www.dispatch.co.za/2007/01/04/southafrica/
News24 http://www.news24.com/News24/HomeLite/
South Africa Government Online http://www.gov.za/
SABC News http://www.sabcnews.co.za/
U.S. Department of State South Africa page http://www.state.gov/p/af/ci/sf/
Women's Net http://womensnet.org.za/

Resources in Pierce Library

African Folktales and Sculpture. New York: Pantheon Books, 1952. GR350 .A35.
African Literature Today series. PL8010 .A4
Bleek, D. F., ed. Mantis and His Friends: Bushman Folklore. Cape Town: T. Maskew Miller. Collection of tales.
Byrnes, Rita M, ed.. South Africa: A Country Study. Washington, D. C.: Library of Congress, 1997. DT1719 .S67 1997.
Cartey, Wilfred. Whispers from a Continent: The Literature of Contemporary Black Africa. New York: Random House, 1969. PL8010 .C3. Chapter 3 "Alienation and Flight . . . Apartheid" discusses literature under apartheid. 
Chinweizu. The West and the Rest of Us: White Predators, Black Slavers, and the African Elite. New York: Vintage, 1975. Essays on postcolonial issues.
Courlander, Harold. A Treasury of African Folklore: The Oral Literature, Traditions, Myths, Legends, Epics, Tales, Recollections, Wisdom, Sayings, and Humor of Africa. New York: Crown Publishers, 1975. GR350 .C67 1975.
Dorson, Richard M., ed. African Folklore. Anchor Books, 1972. GR350 .D67. Helpful introduction and criticism on African folklore.
Fanon, Franz. Black Skin, White Masks. GN645 .F313. Postcolonial issues including language and the psychology of race. 
---. The Wretched of the Earth. DT33 .F313 1968. Postcolonial issues focusing on decolonization.
Fredrickson, George M. White Supremacy: A Comparative Study in American and South African History. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1981. E184 .A1 F73. Last chapter deals with the 20th century.
Freire, Paulo. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. LB880 .F7313 1970a. Essays on postcolonial issues and education.
Gerard, Albert S. African Language Literatures: An Introduction to the Literary History of Sub-Saharan Africa. Washington, D. C.: Three Continents P, 1981. PL8010 .G39 1981. History of African language literature. One chapter on southern Africa.
Gorodnov, Valentin. Soweto: Life and Struggles of a South African Township. Trans. David Shvirsky. U. S. S. R.: Progress Publishers, 1988. DT2400 .S68 G6713 1988.
Graham-White, Anthony. The Drama of Black Africa. New York: Samuel French, 1974. PL8010 .G7 1974. Traces roots of African drama in indigenous culture. Little on modern South Africa.
Gray, Stephen. Southern African Literature: An Introduction. New York: Barnes & Nobel, 1979. PR9354.3 .G7. Focuses mostly on English language literature from the time of the earliest explorers.
Heywood, Christopher, ed. Aspects of South African Literature. London: Heinemann, 1976. PR9354.3 .A8 1976. Essays on oral literature, poetry,and politics.
---, ed. Perspectives on African Literature: Selections from the Proceedings of the Conference on African Literature Held at the University of Ife 1968. New York: Africana Publishing, 1971. PL8010 .C6 1968. First two essays focus on African literature in general.
Jahn, Jahneinz. Neo-African Literature: A History of Black Writing. Trans. Oliver Coburn and Ursula Lehrburger. New York: Grove P, 1968. PL8010 .J313 1969. Traces roots of African-American literature with chapters on African oral literature, Bantu literature, and negritude.
Kavanagh, Robert Mshengu, ed. South African People's Plays. London: Heinemann, 1981. Helpful introduction. 
King, Bruce and Kolawole Ogunbesan, eds. A Celebration of Black and African Writing. Zaria: Ahmadu Bello UP, 1975. PL8010 .C4. Chapter on "Early South African Black Writing."
Lemon, Anthony, ed. Homes Apart: South Africa's Segregated Cities. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 1991. HT148 .S6 H65 1991. Introduction deals with segregation and includes diagrams of the way cities were racially divided at different points in time.  
Meli, Francis. A History of the ANC: South Africa Belongs to Us. Harare: Zimbabwe Publishing House, 1989. JQ1998 .A4 M45 1989.
Mphahlele, Ezekiel (Es'kia). The African Image. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1962. GN645 .M7 1962a. Essays on negritude, "liberal" politics, and white people writing about non-white people.
---. Voices in the Whirlwind and Other Essays. New York: Hill and Wang, 1967. PR9369.3 .M67 V65 1972. Essays on poetry, black aesthetic, negritude, and culture.
Pakenham, Thomas. The Boer War. New York: Random House, 1979. DT1896 .P35 1994.
Russell, Diana E. H. Lives of Courage: Women for a New South Africa. New York: Basic Books, 1989. HQ1236.5 .S6 R87 1989. Autobiographical writings of political women.
Schneider, Martin, ed. The Watershed Years: A Leadership Publication. Johannesburg: Leadership Publications, 1991. DT1945 .W38 1991. Essays on 1991 current events including interviews with Thabo Mbeki (ANC) and Mangosuthu Buthelezi (Inkatha).
Smith, Frank. Whose Language? What Power? A Universal conflict in a South African Setting. New York: Teachers College P, 1993. PE1130 .A2 S65 1993. Education in South Africa--especially language issues.
Smith, Rowland, ed. Exile and Tradition: Studies in African and Caribbean Literature. New York: Africana Publishing, 1976. PL8010 .E9 1976. Includes essays on Sesotho prose, white South African writers, African drama, and black South African poets.
Tutu, Desmond M. The Nobel Peace Prize Lecture. New York: Anson Phelps Stokes Institute for African, Afro-American, and American Indian Affairs, 1986. Includes biographical information.
Wastberg, Per, ed. The Writer in Modern Africa. New York: Africana Publishing, 1969. PL8010 .A45 1967aa. Essays on Dennis Brutus and others. Some in French.
Weil, Gordon. "Caught in the Crisis: Women in the Economies of Sub-Saharan Africa." Women's Work and Women's Lives: The Continuing Struggle Worldwide. Eds. Hilda Kahne and Janet Z. Giele. Boulder: Westview P, 1992. HD6061 .W64 1992. 47-68. Not specifically South African, but provides an idea of the issues facing women in Africa.