elit 48 c syllabus spring 2014n
TRANSCRIPT
Week
In Class Homework
1 April 7-‐10
Class 1 Syllabus, Green sheet, Website, Books, Assignments, QHQ,
Class 2 Teams Introduction to American Literature 1914-‐1945
Class 3 Modernist Manifestos
Class 4 Modernist Manifestos American Modernism Author Introduction: F Scott Fitzgerald
Establish your username, and explore the class webpage Buy Your books Read The Norton introduction: pp. 3-‐22 (also on website) Post #1: QHQ introduction: For example, you might ask, “What does WWI have to do with American Literature?” or “Why are we discussing Science and Technology in a literature class?” Read “Modernist Manifestos” pp. 335-‐350 Post #2 QHQ from one of the sections/authors listed: Intro Marinetti Loy
Read “Modernist Manifestos” pp. 335-‐350 Post #3 QHQ from one of the sections/authors listed: Pound Cather Williams Hughes
Read The Great Gatsby : All Post #4 Write a character sketch of Daisy or Tom or Jordan, focusing on the recurring “tag” used to describe them. Daisy leans forward and talks in a low voice; Tom is restless and hulking; Jordan balances something on her chin almost in an athletic stance. What is Fitzgerald’s purpose in thus describing them? OR Discuss how the reunion of Daisy and Gatsby signals both the beginning and the end of Gatsby’s dream and of his success. OR Trace the recurring image of eyes, and ascertain the purposes of those images. Consider blindness on any level as well as sight. OR Your own QHQ
2 April 14-‐17
Class 5 Lecture Historical Context Discussion The Great Gatsby Class 6 Introduction to Critical Theory. Class 7 Lecture: New Criticism Discussion: The Great Gatsby QHQ: New Criticism Class 8 Lecture: Feminist Criticism Discussion: The Great Gatsby
Read: Critical Theory Today: Chapter 1 Introduction Pp 1-‐10 Post #5: QHQ: Critical Theory Read: Critical Theory Today: Chapter 5 New Criticism Pp. 135-‐164 Post #6: QHQ: New Criticism
Read: Critical Theory Today: Chapter 4 “Feminist Criticism” pp 83-‐130 Post #7: QHQ: Feminist Criticism Read: Critical Theory Today: Chapter 11 “African American Criticism” pp 359-‐409 Post #8: QHQ: African American Criticism
3 April 21-‐24
Class 9 Lecture: African American Criticism Discussion: The Great Gatsby
Class 10 Lecture: Lesbian, Gay, and Queer Criticism Discussion: The Great Gatsby Author introduction: Susan Glaspell
Class 11 Lecture: Trifles Historical Context and Style Discussion: QHQs, Themes, and Symbols
Read: Critical Theory Today: Chapter 10 “Lesbian, Gay, and Queer Criticism” pp. 317-‐355 Post #9: QHQ: Lesbian, Gay, and Queer Criticism Read Trifles (1916) pp. 252-‐262 Post # 10 In literature, a symbol is something that represents something else, and is often used to communicate deeper levels of meaning. What is one important symbol in Trifles? How does Glaspell use it to propel the plot and convey deeper levels of meaning about her characters or themes? Or QHQ Trifles Consider its articulation with one of the Manifestos, if you can. Post #11: Write a paragraph or two on how you might apply any one of the Critical theories we have discussed to Trifles. Begin My Antonia (1918) Book I Introduction Chapters 1-‐10
Class 12 Discussion: Theory and Trifles Writing about literature Author Introduction: Willa Cather
Read My Antonia (1918) Book I Chapters 11-‐19 Post #12: Answer one of the following prompts 1. QHQ CHAPTERS 1-‐19 2. Discuss why Willa Cather chose a male narrator and why women dominate the novel. 3. Explore the story or relationship of Pavel and Peter. 4. Compare and contrast the lives of Jim Burden and Antonia. Explain what drew them together and enabled them to become close friends. 5. Compare and contrast the relationship between Antonia and Jim in Section 1 (Chapters 1-‐10) and Section 2 (Chapters 11-‐19)
4 April 28-‐ May 1
Class 13 My Antonia Historical Context Book I Class 14 My Antonia Themes and Style Book II 1-‐8
Class 15 My Antonia Themes, Questions, QHQ Book II 9-‐15 Book III
Read My Antonia (1918) Book II Chapters 1-‐8 Post #13: Answer one of the following prompts 1. Discuss the contrasts that are being developed between the characters in this section. 2. Discuss the importance of independent women in this section, and why Willa Cather has chosen to develop these characters here. 3. Discuss My Antonia in terms of one or more of the Manifestos. 4. Write your own QHQ. Read My Antonia (1918) Book II Chapters 9-15 and Book III Chapters 1-4 Post #14: Answer one of the following prompts: 1. Discuss the differences Jim sees between the country girls and the town girls. 2. Explain the importance of the dance pavilion to both Jim and Antonia. 3. Explain why Willa Cather has chosen to devote one of the books of her novel to Lena Lingard. 4. Discuss the importance of the narrator leaving Black Hawk for college life. 5. Write your own QHQ Read My Antonia (1918) and Book IV Chapters 1-‐3 and Book V Chapters 1-‐3 Post #15: Answer one of the following prompts: 1. Compare and contrast Tiny Soderball and Lena Lingard’s success with money. 2. Discuss the reasons why Willa Cather chose to have Antonia return to the Shimerda farm as an unwed mother. 3 . Discuss the differences between the Cuzak household and the Shimerda household from many years before. 5. Write your own QHQ
Class 16 My Antonia Books IV and V The American Dream Introduce Exam 1 Vocabulary, Theory, Gatsby, Trifles, My Antonia
Review for Exam Ê Vocabulary, Theory, Gatsby, Trifles, My Antonia, Modern Manifestos
Ê Rules of Writing: Multiple Choice Ê Fill in the blank Ê Theory Identification Ê Passage Identification Ê Character Identification Ê Who said it? Ê Essay Question
5 May 5-‐8
Class 17 Author Introduction: Mina Loy Exam 1
Class 18 Choose new teams Mina Loy “Parturition” Author Introduction: Ezra Pound: make it new!
Class 19 Paraphrasing Poetry “In a Station of the Metro” Author Introduction: William Carlos Williams
Class 20 • The Chair Poet • Imagist Poetry • “The Red Wheelbarrow” • “To Elsie” • “In a Station of the Metro.” • Author Introduction: • Wallace Stevens •
Read: Mina Loy 295-‐96 “Parturition” 296-‐99 Post #16: Answer one of the following prompts:
1. QHQ on the “Parturition” 2. Discuss “Parturition” in conjunction with Loy’s Manifesto. 3. Discuss “Parturition” in conjunction with one critical theory 4. Discuss “Parturition” in conjunction with American Dream.
Read: Pound “In a Station of the Metro.” Post #17:
1. QHQ on “In a Station of the Metro” 2. A new critical reading of a passage of “In a Station of the Metro”
� Read: William Carlos Williams “The Red Wheelbarrow,” and “To Elsie” � Post #18 QHQ on either of the poems for today’s reading. Or paraphrase “The Red Wheelbarrow” or 6-‐9 lines from “To Elsie.”
Read: Wallace Stevens “The Snow Man” 283 1923 “The Emperor of Ice Cream” 284 1923 Post #19: Paraphrase either poem. Be original! Or discuss the modernist aspects of one or both of these poems. Or do a brief “new critical” reading of one poem Post #20: QHQ either “The Snow Man” or “The Emperor of Ice Cream”
6 May 12-‐15
Class 21 Lyric Poetry “The Snow Man” 1923 “The Emperor of Ice Cream” 1923 Author Introduction: William Faulkner
Class 22 Wednesday “Barn Burning” Historical Context Themes, and Style. Writing a character analysis
Class 23 Barn Burning Characters and Symbols Introduction: Langston Hughes
Class 24 Choose new teams The Harlem Renaissance Historical Context The Poems of Langston Hughes Author Introduction: Zora Neale Hurston
Read: “Barn Burning” 800-‐12 Post #21 QHQ “Barn Burning”
Post #22 Provide a brief character analysis or discus a symbol • de Spain • Sarty • Abner Snopes • Lennie Snopes • Fire • The soiled rug • Blood
Read: Langston Hughes: “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” “I, too, sing America,” and “The Weary Blues” Post #23: Choose one What connections can be made between race and blues music in "The Weary Blues"? What do you think it means to have a soul that is deep as rivers? How does “I, too, sing America” make you think about what it means to be an American? How is "America" presented in this poem, and how does it make you feel about America? Read Zora Neale Hurston: “The Eatonville Anthology” 530-‐38 “How it Feels to Be Colored Me” 538-‐541 Post #24 Choose one • Community is a consistent theme in the works of Zora Neale
Hurston and the primary bond among the smaller stories contained in "The Eatonville Anthology." How does the image of a front porch act as a symbol of the social concept of community? Cite specific incidents from the story that prove this connection.
• How does the narrator's viewpoint direct the reader's understanding and approval of the citizens presented in "The Eatonville Anthology"? Discuss specific examples.
7 May 19-‐22
Class 25 • Chair poetry • Zora Neale Hurston
• “The Eatonville Anthology” 530-‐38
• “How it Feels to Be Colored Me” 538-‐541
Class 26 Introduction to Essay #1 How to write a response to literature.
Class 27 Library Visit: Annotated Bibliography
Class 28 Am Lit since 1945 Postmodern Manifestos Sukenick Gass Thompson
Post # 25 QHQ: African American Criticism Consider one of our previous texts through the lens of African American Criticism. Familiarize yourself with potential topics for essay #1 Read “American Literature since 1945” pp. 3-‐19 Honors Group: Read Annotated Bibliography assignment Everyone: Begin essay 1. Post #26: (This is not an optional post): Your thesis/argument Provide textual evidence that supports your assertion. Include both quotations and analysis of the text. Read “Postmodern Manifestos” 400-‐17 Post #27 QHQ on one of the following Sukenick Gass Thompson Read “Postmodern Manifestos” 400-‐17 Read Mary Klages “Postmodernism.” There is a link to this article on the website home page. Post #28 QHQ on one of the following Olson O’Hara Bishop Ammons Lorde
8 May 26-‐29
Monday Holiday No Class
Class 29 Postmodernism Postmodern Manifestos Olson O’Hara Bishop Ammons Lorde Author Introduction: Ralph Ellison
Class 30 “Battle Royal” Historical Context Themes and Style Author Introduction: Arthur Miller Essay #1 due Friday at noon
Class 31 Death of a Salesman Historical Context Discussion
Holiday No Class Read Ralph Ellison, “The Prologue,” and “Battle Royal” from Invisible Man. 206-‐224 Post #29 Choose one What does the reader know about the narrator solely on the basis of the Prologue? Explain both what he reveals about himself explicitly and what inferences can be drawn, justifying your findings as you go along. Why would the audience listening to the narrator’s speech have reacted so strongly to the narrator’s mistake? Discuss the implications of his slip of the tongue. QHQ Read Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman Act 1 238-‐303 Post #30 Discuss how Miller communicates Willy’s outlook and emotions to the reader. Note Willy’s words, his appearance, Linda’s reactions, the set design, and other means. Examine how Biff and Hap’s adult lives show the influence of their childhood as seen in the flashback. Describe how Willy has taken Ben’s life and his philosophy of the “jungle” as models for success. How has Willy shaped that philosophy to encompass life as a salesman? Linda says that “attention must be paid” to Willy despite his faults. Do you support Linda’s claim or disagree with it? If Willy is a “fake,” as Biff calls him, then does he deserve respect? QHQ Read Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman Act 2 238-‐303 Post #31 Contrast Willy with Ben. Willy seems to think that he leads a life somehow like Ben’s. Besides the fact that Ben is rich and Willy is not, what separates them? Describe why Willy believes committing suicide will provide a better life for his family. Will his plan work? Explore the difference between Biff and Hap’s reactions to Willy’s death. QHQ Begin to study for exam #2
9 June 2-‐5
Class 32 New Teams Death of a Salesman Themes and Style.
Class 33 Exam #2 Loy-‐Miller
Class 34 The Beats Howl Themes; forms and devices Author Introduction: Allen Ginsberg
Class 35 Howl QHQ Author Introduction: Gloria Anzuldua
Study for the exam by reviewing each of the authors and texts we have discussed so far. Read Allen Ginsberg pp. 490-‐492 Howl and “A Footnote to Howl” pp. 492-‐500 Post #32: paraphrase 8-‐10 lines from Howl.
Reread Howl Post #33 QHQ HOWL Read Gloria Anzuldua pp. 837-‐38 La conciencia de la mestiza/ Towards a New Consciousness pp. 838-‐49 and “El Sonavabitche” pp. 858-‐62 Post #34 QHQ: La conciencia Discuss themes or meaning in “El Sonavabitche” Discuss Postmodernism or Feminist Theory, or Minority Theory in terms of Anzuldua
10 June 9-‐12
Class 36 La conciencia de la mestiza/ Towards a New Consciousness “El Sonavabitche” Intersections of identity and oppression Author Introduction Maxine Hong Kingston
Class 37 Maxine Hong Kingston Historical Context Themes and Style Discussion
Class 38 Team Change Sandra Cisneros “Woman Hollering Creek” Historical Context Themes and Style Multiculturalism
Class 39 Sherman Alexie “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix Arizona” Style and genre Discussion Author Introduction Cormac McCarthy
Read Maxine Hong Kingston Warrior Woman: Part 1 “No Name Woman 793-‐801 Post #35: Choose one Discuss a theme from the reading QHQ Comment on the text via a critical lens. Read Sandra Cisneros Read “Woman Hollering Creek” 1131-‐1139 Post #36 Discuss a theme: love and passion or sex roles or? Discuss the text in terms of postmodernism or in articulation with a postmodern manifesto. Discuss the story as it reads through a feminist and/or minority lens. Read Sherman Alexie 1207 “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix Arizona” 1213 Post #37 What is Sherman Alexie saying in this story about the role of storytelling? Discuss POV and how or why it is important to the plot. Discuss the relationship of Thomas and Victor. Discuss this story in terms of postmodernism, minority theory, or multiculturalism. Read The Road: the first half of the novel: page 47 in the online version. Stop here: “… he kissed the boy and crawled into the other bunk under the clean blankets and gazed one more time at this tiny paradise trembling in the orange light from the heater and then he fell asleep.” Post #38: What caused the devastation of the land. Provide the clues you used to come to your conclusion. Discuss a theme from the novel: Destruction, survival, isolation, death, or hope
11 June 16-‐20
Class 40 The Road: The Age of Terror The apocalypse Themes
Class 41 The Road Concepts Symbols QHQ
Class 42 The Road Postmodernism Critical Theory The American Dream Introduce Essay #2
Class 43 Last Chair Poet The Quarter in Review Self-‐Assessment Introduce Exam #3
Read The Road: to the three/quarter point: page 72 in the online version. Stop here: “One vast salt sepulcher. Senseless. Senseless.” Post # 39: Discuss one: Examine the concept of trust and mistrust in the The Road. Analyze the symbol of innocence and how it pertains to the son in The Road. Introduce another concept or symbol QHQ Read The Road: finish the novel Post #: 40 (The last one) Discuss the novel as a postmodern work Use a critical lens to start a discussion Discuss the American Dream as it manifests in The Road Begin Essay #2
• Honors Project • Work on your Revisions • Study for make up exam #1 or #2 • Tomorrow is the last Chair Poet Day
Review for exam Write final paper Work on revisions Do Honors Project Write Self-‐Assessment
12 June 23-‐27
Class 44 Make-‐up Exam #1 or #2 Class 45 Thursday, June 27 9:15 a.m.-‐11:15 a.m. Exam #3 Essay #2 Due Revision Due Honors Project Due
Prepare for Exam #3 Write final paper Do revision Do Honors Project Write Self-‐Assessment Have a great summer!