IDST 2315  ~  Fall 2004 ~ America’s Diverse Cultural Heritage

NEW (9-1-04) NOTE: the Cabeza de Vaca WHOLE TEXT is available on-line at  http://www.eldritchpress.org/cdv/rel.htm This is the exact edition/translation we are using. If you can't get it at the bookstore, you can read it on-line.

REQUIRED Textbooks (available at the bookstore; please use the edition listed)

Alexie, Sherman. Reservation Blues. New York: Time Warner, 1995

Cabeza de Vaca, Alvar Nύñez. The Journey and Ordeal of Cabeza de Vaca: His Account fo the Disastrous First European Exploration of the American Southwest. Mineola, NY: Dover, 2003.

Erdrich, Louise. Tracks. New York: Harper Perennial, 1988

Equiano, Olaudah. The Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. Mineola, NY: Dover (Thrift Edition), 1999

Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. New York: Plume Books, 1970

Viramontes, Helena Maria. Under the Feet of Jesus. New York: Plume Books, 1995

Description

This course approaches the rich cultural heritage of America through a multiplicity of often ignored voices and visions and from a variety of disciplines. Using primarily history and literature, but also art, film, and music, we will learn about, read, and reflect upon the cultures of Native Americans, African Americans, and Mexican Americans (Chicanos). We will examine the literature and some productions of these specific ethnic groups in order to establish a conversation about general meanings and processes of culture, identity, and aesthetics in human lives. Though under studied and often under appreciated, the cultures we consider have contributed much to our nation, often literally building it, and figuratively shaping it. Thus this course aims to help us all to realize and appreciate more fully our heritage as Americans and our human nature.

Objectives

• To understand and appreciate multiple American cultures, perspectives, and experiences
• To read, discuss and ponder the visions and voices of various Americans past and present
• To link contemporary multi-cultural experiences with historical roots and contributions
• To explore connections between concepts such as identity, ethnicity, culture, and nation
• To realize some of the complexities, key issues, and rewards of studying art, culture, literature, history, and music
• To appreciate such human expressions as windows into the human experience
• To foster critical thinking, reading, and writing skills

Requirements

All coursework must be completed on time to receive full credit. Late and make-up work will only be accepted with express permission from the teacher (you must explain in advance and document why something will be late). All late assignments, if accepted, will be automatically graded down by one full letter grade per calendar day. With a legitimate excuse (documented medical/extreme family emergency, or official school activity), only one test may be made up without penalty. You will LOSE participation points (subtracted from your overall point total) for each class absence after the first three (including excused absences) at a rate of 20 points lost per absence.

Your grade in this class will reflect your overall participation and enthusiasm, as well as your performance on specific tasks outlined below. Consistency and improvement are considered. Prior to mid-semester, you will receive feedback on your academic performance in this course.

Quizzes and classroom activities…………….………………………….10% (50 points)

First written exam (short answer and fill in the blank)………………....15% (75 points)

Second written exam (short answer and essay)……………………..…25% (125 points)

Third written exam (take-home essay)…………………………………..30% (150 points)

Final project & presentation……..…………..……………………………20% (100 points)

Extra Credit -- up to 2 cultural event/movie evaluations ………………10 points each maximum

• Quizzes and classroom activities may involve answering questions or writing in class about assigned reading or in-class activities such as slide lectures, art, or videos. Participation is evaluated according to attendance and your level of awareness and involvement during the semester. You LOSE POINTS for excessive absences or no effort.
• The 3 exams will require you to demonstrate your understanding of the key concepts, issues, history, art, and readings from our class. You will be expected to make connections between various readings, events, art, and concepts. Responses are assessed for quality of supporting detail as well as overall logic and correctness. The first exam focuses mostly on reading, and involves objective questions (multiple choice, T/F, text identification, matching and short answer). The second exam involves text identification, short answer, and essay questions. The third exam is a take home essay exam that you have two weeks to complete. For all three exams you must have completed all the readings from the previous section and be aware of class issues in order to succeed.
• The final project involves either creative, original, ARTISTIC (i.e. interpretable) expression (through any media) OR a fieldwork project in which you interview people about ethnicity and their culture heritage. You will share your project with the class in a 6-8 minute presentation. Your grade on this project will be based on both the actual project & your presentation (in class) of it (see handout for specifics).
• EXTRA CREDIT: From the approved lists, you may attempt and receive credit earned on a maximum of two extra-credit written evaluations during the semester (of either movies or outside events). Written evaluations (1-2 pages) are due by the Monday after Spring Break for movies or one week after the event for cultural events. Use standard academic writing format of 12 pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced with 1 inch margins – with text beginning no lower that 1.3 inches from the top of the page. Note that an evaluation analyzes the movie or event, explaining WHY it was good or bad, NOT summarizing. If you merely summarize, you will receive fewer that half the possible points (possibly 0 points).

Notes

• This syllabus is a guide and as such is subject to revision. It is your responsibility as a student to attend class faithfully, note and adhere to any changes in the syllabus, and to complete all work on time. If you miss a class, contact me for any changes in readings or assignments (by e-mail: mmagouli@gcsu.edu or by phone: 445-3177). I DO NOT keep track of what you have missed or must make up – that is YOUR responsibility.

• I encourage you to communicate with me about any concerns, problems, or questions you may have during the semester. I answer all e-mails and am happy to see students during my office hours or by appointment.

• Plagiarism and cheating are unethical and unacceptable. If you have any doubt as to what constitutes plagiarism and/or cheating, see me or consult your student handbook (see the honor code). Violation of the policy will result in failure.

• Faithful, punctual attendance is mandatory. If you must be absent and have a documented excuse (legitimate excuses include documented medical problems, documented extreme family emergency, or a documented official school activity), be sure to inform me of your absence, show me your documentation. You must always keep track of (and still turn in on time) any work or assignments you miss. More than three absences (including excused absences) in one semester will result in an overall lower grade as well as on a specific assignment.

• Classroom activities, lectures, and discussions require enormous time and preparation and cannot be repeated or re-created for one individual student at a later time or date. The instructor will not repeat or make-up classes for you. Fellow students may lend you notes & keep you informed, but duplicating a class is nearly impossible.

• Active, respectful participation is required of all students. Respectful participation means listening to others’ opinions, presentations, and ideas even if an initial reaction is to disagree. Responses should be thoughtful, respectful, and based on readings or class information. Critical thinking (the basis of all college education and higher reasoning) requires you to attend to various sides of issues. You should learn to evaluate, compare, and judge information based on reason and logic rather than emotion. Active participation involves listening attentively and respectfully as much as it involves speaking. Aggressive or rude behavior will not be tolerated and will result in lower participation points.

• Cell phones (or computers with internet access) must be turned off and kept out of sight during class period. Any violation may result in lost participation points.

• BREAKS during class are not allowed except in cases of sickness or extreme emergency. If you leave during class (even briefly), without documented medical necessity, you will be counted absent during that class period.

• Any student requiring modifications due to a documented disability should make an appointment to meet with the instructor as soon as possible. An official letter from GC&SU documenting the disability will be required in order to receive accommodation.

• During a fire drill or other emergency, students will promptly and safely exit the classroom in an orderly fashion according to posted routes and teacher’s instructions, then congregate in the designated spot (the front lawn) as a class until all students are accounted for or the all-clear signal has sounded. If time permits, class will continue.  

"History is not the past. History is a story about the past, told in the present, 
and designed to be useful in constructing the future.”  (Henry Glassie, 1999)

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