Update: We will write on these particular works--short essays in class--in order to complete our study of the African American vernacular tradition in place of a test. Please watch the videos I have posted as these lectures will help you.
Works to study for the vernacular tradition test:
Go Down, Moses p. 12
Take My Hand, Precious Lord p. 23
Signifying Monkey p. 36
Good Morning Blues p. 49
What Did I Do to Be So Black and Blue p. 67
A Change is Gonna Come p. 71
The Message p. 82
God p.96
The Eagle Stirreth Her Nest p. 98
A Flying Fool p.142
August 29th, 2010 Monday
Lecture on Spirituals
Lecture on Gospels (This lecture was interrupted by a pet blue jay!)
You might have some questions about upcoming assignments and tests. The test will be scheduled for next week. You will have multiple choice questions (20 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and a matching test for the music CD).
Here are some notes on the material that you should be studying.
Spirtuals
Important questions to think about:
City Called Heaven: What is the central theme? How does the speaker describe his worldly troubles? What is the importance of God in this spiritual? Could heaven represent freedom and escaping to the north?
I Know Moon-Rise: What is the importance of life after death in this spirtual?
Ezekiel Saw De Wheel: What does the wheel represent?
I'm a-Rollin': What is the importance of community in this spiritual?
Go Down Moses: Who does the Pharoah represent? Why is Moses an important figure for African Americans during slavery?
Been in the Storm So Long: What role does God play in "Been in the Storm So Long?"
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot: What does the chariot represent? What is the speaker's attitude towards death?
Steal Away to Jesus: Is this spiritual a coded message? What message does this spiritual give about life on earth?
Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel: What imagery is used in this spiritual to reflect the theme of God delivering humankind from suffering? What statement does this spiritual make about God and the human condition?
God's a Gonna Trouble the Water: Is this spiritual a coded message about delivering the slaves from their chains? What references are there to Moses?
Walk Together Children: What role does the promised land play in this spiritual?
Soon I Will Be Done: What message does this spiritual give about earthly existence? What metaphysical (spiritual, beyond the physical world) message lies within this spiritual?
Come Sunday: What message does this spiritual convey about faith, work, life, and prayer? What is the role of Sundays?
Gospel
How do you define gospel?
How is the tradition of gospels different from spirituals?
How does the tradition of gospel relate to the black chuch?
This Little Light of Mine: What does the light symbolize?
Down By the Riverside: What does the riverside represent? What spiritual transformation occurs to the speaker in this gospel?
Freedom in the Air: What does the air symbolize in this gospel?
Take My Hand, Precious Lord: What role does God play in this gospel piece?
Peace Be Still: What images occur in this gospel song and what role does Jesus play?
Stand By Me: What is the relationship between faith, death, and aging in this gospel song?
Secular Rhymes and Songs
We Raise de wheat: what does this particular song state about the dehumanized condition of the slaves?
Me and my captain: How does this secular rhyme reflect the theme of doubled consciousness? Doubled consciousness occurs when whites and blacks cannot communicate with one another honestly because of racial divisions--in the time of slavery and segregation, doubled consciousness was a way of survival because whites would oppress African Americans who spoke their mind or acted rebellious.
Promises of Freedom: How did the white slave owners treat their slaves in this song?
No More Auction Block: How is this song a protest against the dehumanizing practice of slavery?
Jack and Dinah Want Freedom: What does this song state about the situation of slaves who wish to escape to the north?
Run, Nigger, Run: Why was running important for runaway slaves? What would be the outcome if they were caught?
Another Man Done Gone: How does this song reflect the blues?
You May Go But This will Bring You Back: How is the female speaker confident she can sway her man to come back to her?
Extra Credit: Watch youtube videos of Al Sharpton's speech and Glen Beck's speech on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream Speech." Compare and contrast the two intepretations of King's message. Do you think that America is becoming more racially divided since King's message? Why do you think Sharpton's audience is predominantly black and Beck's audience is predominantly white?
Write 2-3 pages and be specific.
August 24th, 2010
Please watch the following two videos, so you can study for your class:
Video on The Norton Anthology of African American Literature
Introductory video on the vernacular tradition
Video on Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance
August 20th, 2010
Today, we completed an overall discussion of The Norton Anthology of African American Literature: 2nd Edition, and my book, Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance. Your first assignment will be to read the vernacular section in The Norton Anthology and the first chapter of my book discussing The Harlem Renaissance. You will also be tested on the music audio CD. You should purchase your Norton Anthology and your Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance by clicking these links:
Norton (The Norton Anthology of African American Literature: 2nd Edition)
At the end of the semester, you can give me your email address. I will list your names and email addresses on a link for incoming students who want to purchase a used book if you would like me to do so. That means that you can get your money back. The books are essential for this class, so do not plan on passing the course without purchasing them.
Here is an introductory lecture to my course for those of you who have missed the first day:
Saint Paul’s College: Department of Humanities & Behavioral Sciences
African American Literature
Course Information: Instructor:
English 230-1 Dr. Raphael Comprone
Fall Semester 2010
Class Time: Office:
MWF 1-1:50 PM RH 136
Classroom: Office Hours:
RH KIVA TBA
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, 10) send all revisions of your assignments with an email to raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com (you must CLEARLY label your assignment and the attachment when you send it to my email. In the text of your email, put your name, the course you are taking, and the assignment that you are attaching. If you send an assignment to the wrong email, you are responsible for the missing assignment).
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.
Recommended Internet Sites:www.comprone.info for updates on assignments, syllabi, poetry club submissions (extra credit)
