Saint Paul’s College: Department of Humanities & Behavioral Sciences
African American Literature
Course Information: Instructor:
English 230-1 Dr. Raphael Comprone
Fall Semester 2009
Class Time: Office:
MWF 1-1:50 PM RH 136
Classroom: Office Hours:
RH KIVA M W F 12-1 PM RH 136 T R 2:15-4:15 PM
Office Phone: contact by email only Credit Hours:
Email: raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com 3
Website: www.comprone.info
Pre-requisite: Students must have completed Composition II and must pass the exit examination for Composition II.
Required Texts:
Comprone, Raphael. Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance. Lanham, Maryland: UPA, 2006.
The Norton Anthology of African American Literature: Second Edition. Ed. Gates & McKay. New York: Norton, 2003.
Endorsmement Competencies for Education Majors:
Knowledge of reading strategies and techniques used to enhance reading comprehensive skills.
Knowledge of varied works from British, American, world, and ethnic/minority literature appropriate for English instruction.
Selection of Texts:
This anthology is REQUIRED, and you cannot pass the course without using it because all exams will be open book. You must also purchase my book because we will be using it extensively when covering the Harlem Renaissance.
Course Description: The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the achievements of African American writers throughout time. We will study the various historical periods in African American literature and discuss the contributions of African American writers to American society and culture. We will cover the Black Arts Movement and the Harlem Renaissance this semester. We will also watch movies of these two important time periods in African American literature.
Course Rationale: The purpose of this course is to develop an awareness of the significance of African American literature in American society.
Course Goals, Objectives, and Corresponding Program Outcomes:
1 Develop an awareness of the achievements of African American writers and their contribution to American democracy and culture
2 Discuss the historical struggle of African American writers in American society
3 Develop students’ writing skills in an academic context
4 Develop among students an awareness of the importance of essays, music, poetry, drama, short stories, and novels written by African Americans
Expectations for Student Behavior as Related to Course Objectives and Their Corresponding Program Outcomes:
Please arrange for meeting with me during office hours. Students must behave appropriately by: 1) avoiding talking when the professor is speaking, 2) being punctual (students will lose points for tardiness and excessive absences), 3) ALWAYS bringing their textbooks to class, 4) actively participating in class, 5) not plagiarizing, 6) avoiding the use of foul language and abusive behavior, 8) being polite to other students, and 9) following the dress code and wearing appropriate attire.
The attendance policy is as follows:
Students missing more than 9 times (EXCUSED or UNEXCUSED) must WITHDRAW or receive a
failing grade of F.
This policy will be strictly enforced.
Students with 2 or less absences will receive an additional 10% for their final grade. Excused absences will not be factored into this calculation, e.g. a student who has three excused absences and no unexcused absences will not receive an additional 10% added to his or her final grade.
Students cannot obtain excuses for absences after the semester is over.
Class Format, Process, and Methods of Instruction:
Students can only receive incompletes upon permission by the instructor (an incomplete can only be filed for during the semester) and only if they are experiencing financial difficulties or a grave personal matter (I must be notified in person by the student or by a relative before the end of the semester). Excuses will only be accepted from the Provost's office. I will only accept assignments in person (do not slip any assignments under my office door--I am not responsible if any of these assignments should end up missing). It is the student's responsibility to make up any missing work and to check on his or her grade during the semester. Absolutely no excuses for absences can be issued after the semester is completed (if you do not show me the excuse during the semester--you have to show me the excuse in person, do not put it under my door--I will not give you an excuse--this applies to athletes as well). Athletes must personally give me a copy of their game schedule and indicate to me the days they will be absent. They must also make up any work and or missed instruction the day after their absence. ABSOLUTELY no grade changes are possible after the semester. Please check with me before the end of the semester to see if you have any outstanding work to complete.
20% Music and listening comprehension exam
70% Exams (Harlem Renaissance and Black Arts Movement Exams, 4 total)
10% Participation and attendance
Course Outline and Assignment Due Dates:
TBA
Tentative List of Assigned Readings and Assignments:
* You must keep a notebook and write all notes and in class assignments down in the notebook. I will collect the notebook periodically during the semester.
Black Arts Movement
Author Title of Work Page #
Gates & McKay 1831
Mari Evans Status Symbol 1851
Mari Evans I am a Black Woman 1851
Malcolm X The Autobiography of Malcolm X 1860
John Alfred Williams The Man Who Cried I Am 1876
Martin Luther King, Jr. Letter From Birmingham Jail 1896
Etheridge Knight The Idea of Ancestry 1908
Etheridge Knight Hard Rock Returns to Prison from the Hospital for the Criminal Insane 1909
Etheridge Knight For Black Poets Who Think of Suicide 1910
Audre Lorde 1919-1936
Amiri Baraka 1937-1962
Sonia Sanchez 1963-1967
First Exam
Introduction of Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance
W.E.B Du Bois' Criteria of Negro Art
Alain Locke The New Negro
Langston Hughes The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain
Hoyt Fuller Towards a Black Aesthetic 1853
Addison Gayle Jr. The Black Aesthetic 1912
Larry Neale The Black Arts Movement 2039
Listening Comprehension: Music
Midterm Exam
Langston Hughes
First Chapter of PDF in the HR on Langston Hughes Paradox, Repression, and Resistance to the Paternal
Ed Bullins Goin' a Buffalo: A Tragifantasy 1969
Eldridge Cleaver Soul on Ice 2007
A.B. Spellman Did John's Music Kill Him? 2015
June Jordan 2016
Lucille Clifton 2031
Jayne Cortez How Long Has Trane Been Gone? 2036
THIRD EXAM
Nikki Giovanni 2096
Quincy Troupe 2118
Caroly Rogers 2122
James Alan McPherson 2101
Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the HR, Chapter V Claude Mckay's Poetry and Novels 161
FINAL EXAM
the rest of the assignments are TBA
Recommended Internet Sites: www.comprone.info for updates on assignments, syllabi, poetry club submissions (extra credit)
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