Here is a lecture describing our final assignments for the class and what I am looking for:
(Please disregard the remark about the movie Paid In Full. I was planning on showing this movie in our class, but we were only able to watch it in the other class.)
Please turn in all of the assignments, including the Langston Hughes paper, the midterm paper on a work you decided to analyze from the Harlem Renaissance, the Jean Toomer paper, the Blues paper, the work songs/ballads paper, the Anne Spencer paper, the Angelina Weld Grimke paper, and the rap paper comparing and contrasting Nas and B.I.G. All papers should be written according to MLA format. You should discuss the theme of the work that you analyze. When you turn in your final papers to my email account at raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com, please indicate that you are turning in your final paper by attaching the word final to the name of your document: e.g. JeanToomerFINAL.doc.
When I download attachments marked FINAL at the end, I will issue a final grade and will not send you any paper back for revision. Please turn in your final papers by the end of the week so I can calculate your grades. I should have your grades availabe by the end of the week as soon as you turn them in. You still have to show up for the final exam and show me your exam permit. I should be able to give you your grade at that point.
Assignments due: Write a two to three page paper on one of the character sketches in Cane in the Norton Anthology of African American Literature. Discuss desire, sexuality, and Toomer's use of the blues to describe African American culture in the South. Refer to quotes from the second chapter of my book, Poetry, Desire and Fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance. This will be your final exam.
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
We have two new assignments.
One, read the section on the blues in The Norton Anthology of African American Literature.
Compare and contrast two blues pieces in a two to three page paper. Cite your sources and cite line numbers.
Two, read the section on the ballads and secular work songs. Compare and contrast two songs. Write a two to three page paper. Cite your sources and use forward slashes as well as line numbers when citing.
Send these assignments to me at raphaeljohcomprone@gmail.com.
April 1st, 2010
I will put up a lecture on the blues later today. We have a new assignment: write a two to three page paper comparing and contrasting two blues songs from The Norton Anthology of African American Literature Second Edition. Discuss the significance of the blues and cite lines when inserting quotations into your paper. Send the paper to me at raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com.
You should also send the paper comparing and contrasting the Nas and B.I.G. songs to the same email account.
Here are some of the blues pieces we looked at in class. I put down some questions for you to look at in case you are analyzing any of these blues pieces.
We discussed in class today "Prove It on Me Blues." This blues piece is about a woman who likes women and whom everyone accuses of sleeping around. Are you surprised about the lesbian references in that time frame? How does the speaker respond to society's gossip about lesbians?
We also read "Trouble in Mind." What is the song about? Is there humor in the song? How does the song relate to life's hardships? Why does the speaker have doubts about committing suicide?
We analyzed "How Long Blues." How does the male speaker deal with being rejected by his woman? What comment does this song make on love relationship and life?
"Rock Me Baby" is another blues song that we read. What are the explicit sexual references in "Rock Me Baby?" How is this different from the other blues pieces? How does the speaker urges his woman to be good in bed? What metaphors does he use to describe their sexual escapades? Do you think that this music was shocking for chruch going African Americans?
"Yellow Dog Blues" is about a man who is an easy rider. What is a rider? What does the expression mean "on the hog?"
"St. Louis Blues" is by the father of the blues, W.C. Handy. How does the speaker feel about her man?
"Beale Street Blues" is about a speaker who likes Beale Street. Why is the sergeant make the speaker leave? What happened to Beale Street? What kind of person is the speaker?
What statement does this song make against prohibition?
"The Hesitating Blues" is about a female speaker who hesitated about getting married, and now her man has left her. What does this say about relationships and missed opportunities? What role does the train play in this blues piece?
"Going to Chicago Blues" is about a man who leaves his woman. She took his money. How does the theme of separation relate to the blues in this piece? What metaphors are used in the poem? Separation is a tough time to go through.
"Fine and Mellow" is about a woman's perception of her relationship with a man. What is she saying about how women want to be treated? What metaphors are used in this song? What does the faucet represent?
"Hoochie Coochie"is about a man who is bragging about his sexual exploits. How does he describe himself and how does he brag about himself as a womanizer?
"Sunnyland" is about a man who is waiting for a woman to come back. What role does the train play in the piece? How is the train a symbol of the blues?
What is "My Handy Man" about? What metaphors does the speaker use to describe her man? How does she brag about her relationship?
Here is my lecture on "Things Done Changed" and "N.Y. State of Mind":
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
We discussed in class today contemporary hip hop and rap music as well as past works in hip hop. I will post a video lecture soon about upcoming assignments.
We are planning on watching Notorious next week. You will have to analyze the film and discuss the character of Notorious B.I.G. Discuss at least three different scenes in your paper. We will be watching the film next week on Tuesday and Thursday.
The assignment for this week is to analyze "Things Done Changed" and "New York State of Mind" and write 2-3 pages discussing the images in each rap song. What statement do both of these rap songs make about life in low income neighborhoods in inner cities? Is rap a form of social protest in these particular pieces, or do these songs glorify violence? What do the speakers do to promote their street credentials? How do they boast about their abilities? How do they critique the world they live in?
By next Monday, I need this paper. Send it to me at raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com. Analyze the images in the songs, and discuss the significance of the songs. To what extent do the songs promote sexism and violence? On the other hand, to what extent do they criticize injustice?
Friday, March 12th, 2010
Please turn in all of your assignments before Sunday, March 14th.
I will be calculating midterm grades. If you have turned in all assignments, you will receive a passing grade.
If you are missing any assignments, you will receive a deficiency.
If you are missing more than two assignments, you will receive an F for the midterm grade.
Please note that you will have to revise assignments after the midterm. All assignments should be kept together in a folder for the end of the semester.
Send the assignments below to raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com
by midterm week (if you want them revised, send them earlier):
1) Arthur Schomburg essay
2) Angelina Weld Grimke essay
3) Alain Locke essay
4) Jessie Redmon Fauset essay
5) Midterm essay
6) Anne Spencer essay
7) Langston Hughes essay
8) Harlem Renaissance essay
Each paper should be two to three pages in length, double spaced, and written according to MLA format. Address the theme of the works you are analyzing, analyze a few quotes from the works you are writing about, and write a clear introduction and conclusion. If you are having any difficulties, please write to me about your problems before deciding to drop my class.
If you have any questions about the assignments, please contact me at raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to write my assignment, but I don't know how. What should I do?
You can contact me at raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com. First, however, I would try to do some brainstorming. What is the theme of the work you are addressing? What is the central message of the poem or work you are analyzing? Do you have a list of quotes from the work that you can use to support your thesis?
How do I make accept or reject the corrections Dr. Comprone makes with track changes? Put the cursor on the material highlighted in red. Right click the mouse on your computer. Look at the drop down menu. Click Accept Change or Reject Change.
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Please send me your papers to: raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com.
Scroll down below to see the papers that are due.
I am also going to add a few new lectures soon.
On Monday, students who haven't turned in their work will be contacted by student support services. I will fill out forms and contact the Provost's office about students with missing assignments.
The following lectures can be used for your midterm paper. I will include more lectures soon on other sections of the Harlem Renaissance in The Norton Anthology of African American Literature.
Claude McKay Lectures (on poetry only)
Marcus Garvey Lecture
Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010
Today, we discussed Marcus Garvey's "Africa For the Africans" and "the Future As I See It." For the midterm, you can analyze Garvey's ideas, or you can write about any of the other writers after Alain Locke in Thde Norton Anthology (993-1354). An important question asked in class was: how did Alain Locke's vision of American society differ from Marcus Garvey's views? Why do you think Garvey was so important during the Harlem Renaissance?
We also read Claude McKay's poems "America," "The White House," "Africa," "To the White Fiends," and "If We Must Die." What vision does McKay give about the past? How do you think it felt to be African American at the time? How does McKay's vision of Africa and America contrast with Garvey's vision? Also, read "St. Isaac's Church, Petrograd." How is this poem different from the other poems? What type of experience does the speaker have in the poem? Where is the poem taking place?
For the next class, be prepared to discuss the excerpt on Home to Harlem and Zora Neale Hurston's Sweat.
Can you give me some examples of different topics for my papers? I don't know what to write.
I would try to address the problem or issue the writer discusses. For instance, here are some sample ideas for essays. I am always looking for a paper that deals with a writer's work in an original way. I would then look for certain passages that support your thesis. I usually make a list of interesting quotes before I write an article or a paper. The quotes should relate to your thesis. Then, when you write your paper, you'll have a lot of ideas. Another way to generate a topic is to brainstorm. Maybe you could write down a dominant image or idea in a particular work, like the wife woman in Anne Spencer's poem "The Wife Woman." Then, you can relate some of the images in the poem with the concept of being a woman. What statement is Spencer making about women in society during the Harlem Renaissance?
Arthur Schomburg assignment: example of a title and thesis: The Role of History in the Development of African American Culture Thesis: In "The Negro Digs Up His Past," Arthur Schomburg argues that an understanding of the past is necessary for future generations of African Americans.
Langston Hughes assignment: Title: Race Relations in Langston Hughes' "The Ballad of the Landlord" and "Theme For English B" Thesis: In "Ballad of the Landlord" and "Theme for English B," Langston Hughes addresses the subject of race in different ways. "Ballad of the Landlord" is about a tenant who experiences discrimination because of his race while "Theme for English B" is about an African American student discussing his heritage and ethnicity with a white professor. In "Theme for English B," the student desires to communicate to his white professor, while in "Ballad of the Landlord," there is no effective communication between blacks and whites because of racism.
How do you write your papers?
When you begin an essay, you need to discuss the theme. The theme is the central message of the particular work that you analyzing. The theme is not just the subject of the work; it is also the statement a writer is making about a particular subject. For instance, in "The Negro Digs Up His Past," Arthur Schomburg argues that it is necessary for African Americans to understand their past in order to progress in the future. This is an example of a thesis statement.
Typically, in your introductory paragraph, you want to at least mention the work that you are analyzing and the author who wrote the work. You do not message in the work that you are analyzing. Also:
1) do not use too many quotes in your introduction. Quotes should be used for the most part in body paragraphs of your essay.
2) consider a good title for your essay as a whole
3) develop a thesis statement or central argument
4) if you can't figure out what to write, ask yourself what problem is the writer trying to address in his or work? Watch some of my lectures.
5) even though you are making claims based on your own opinion, avoid writing "I think" "in my opinion,"I believe that," "It seems that," etc. Why? Because you want to sound objective. You should never use second person (you), and you should avoid using first person in most cases.
E.g. I think that Schomburg believed that the past was just as important as the future.
Rewrite this sentence as follows: Schomburg believed that the past was just as important as the future.
It is already implied that your essay is an expression of your personal beliefs about the work you are analyzing, so the phrase "I think that" is unnecessary.
Another point is that you should write using the present tense as much as possible:
Schomburg believes that the past is just as important as the future.
Do not use "believed" or "was" in sentences like these.
In the body paragraphs of your essay, talk about the different issues you addressed in your first paragraph. You need to introduce specific quotes in order to prove your point.
1) learn how to introduce quotes effectively:
E.g. Locke states that African Americans want nothing more than to be treated as Americans: "The Negro mind reaches out as yet to nothing but American wants, American ideas" (990) . While many African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance desired to create a separate identity, Locke believed in integration.
2) Make transitions between the ideas expressed in each of your body paragraphs.
E.g. Let's say you were wriitng an essay about Langston Hughes' "The Ballad of the Landlord." First, you discussed discrimination against the working class in the poem by addressing how the landlord treated the tenant. In subsequent paragraphs, you discussed the issue of race and how it affected the tenant's life at the end of the poem. If you wrote about class and race in your essay, how would you tie those ideas together?
Here is an example of a transitional sentence linking together these two ideas:
E.g. For most African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance, racial discrimination was just as important a problem as class discrimination.
An essay without transitions often leaves the reader at a loss to explain how the writer's ideas relate to each other.
3) Make sure that everything you write about in the body of your paper relates to your central argument. If you are writing about the theme of integration in Locke's "The New Negro,' you should always try to relate each of your body paragraphs to your thesis. It is very easy to do this if you can single out a topic sentence for each of your body paragraphs. Then, ask yourself, does this topic sentence relate to my thesis statement?
Locke insists that desire for racial belonging is an important issue for the African American community.
E.g.
Locke believes that American democracy can only be a truly integrated society when members of American society explore their unique ethnic heritage.
In your conclusion, restate your thesis and make some final conclusions based on what you have covered. You can also summarize some points.
At the end of the paper, there should be a works cited.
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Today, we reviewed Georgia Douglas Johnson's poems. We will also read Marcus Garvey's speeches. For your midterm, write a three page paper comparing and contrasting any two works from the Harlem Renaissance after Alain Locke's essay "The New Negro" (any work between pages 993-1354) Use MLA format. Please turn in your assignments to raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com
The assignments are listed below.
The old campus of Boydton Institute is just a short distance from Saint Paul's College, between Lawrenceville and South Hill. It was a Black school, and Vernon Johns attended there before moving on to higher education. Some of its graduates are still living in the Boydton area, but, as the school closed around the 1930s, there is limited time left to collect oral histories. This would be a good opportunity for history students, especially, to use what they've learned in the classroom to preserve a piece of the past. The opportunity to work with faculty on the attached list would be an added bonus.
Please contact Dr. Palmgren concerning this matter if you would like to engage in this project (extra credit awarded): jpalmgren@saintpauls.edu
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
Here is a complete list of the assignments we have:
Arthur Schomburg: Write a two page essay on the importance of history in African American culture. Pages in Norton Anthology: 962-967. Include quotes and use MLA format.
Anne Spencer: Write about one of Anne Spencer's poems. 970-974. Include MLA format. Discuss theme, symbolism, and imagery. Be sure to quote line numbers and use forward slashes for new lines of verse. See MLA format link above. You should have a works cited. .
Langston Hughes: Analyze "The Ballad of the Landlord" (1302) and "Theme for English B" (1309). Discuss these two poems and how they deal with race relations. Also, discuss my analysis of "Theme for English B" starting on page 28 and ending at page 34 in Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance. Use MLA format. Write at least two pages.
Alain Locke: Discuss the concept of the New Negro. What does Alain Locke mean by the concept of the New Negro? Discuss at least 3-5 quotes from Alain Locke in "The New Negro." Use MLA format.
Angelina Weld Grimke: Write a two page essay comparing and contrasting two poems (968-970 in the Norton Anthology). Use MLA format.Grimke
Harlem Renaissance: Discuss some aspects of the Harlem Renaissance (953-962) and the introduction to my book on the Harlem Renaissance. Incorporate quotes from both works.HRRenaissance
Jessie Redmon Fauset: Compare and contrast Virginia and Angela as sisters. Refer to The Norton Anthology of African American Literature (975-983) and my analysis of Plum Bun in Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance (214-224).
Midterm Exam: Choose one other reading from the Harlem Renaissance. Analyze it and write about it in class. To be announced
Use MLA format.
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Today, we discussed Alain Locke's "The New Negro."
Here is a video lecture I completed on "The New Negro." Use headphones or speakers to listen to it:
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
Today, we discussed Langston Hughes' poetry. We also discussed the MLA format. For more information on the MLA format, see the link for MLA format above. We read Hughes' poem "Ballad of the Landlord" and discussed the social and economic interests of Hughes. Hughes paid a great deal of attention to the less fortunate in African American society and adopted the voice of the African American folk tradition. Hughes also wrote another poem, "Theme For English B," in which he addresses the themes of equality and difference. He relies on the African American folk tradition and makes the poem represent an imaginary conversation between himself and his white professor who is older than he is. The speaker in the poem identifies with Harlem and his African American heritage, but he does not want to be treated differently because of his heritage.
I would like you to compare and contrast these two poems. In one poem, Hughes touches upon the theme of race and race relations, while in the other poem, Hughes writes about class and race. Are there similarities between the white professor and the white landlord? What is ironic about both of the poems? What is the message of the two poems? Use MLA format and write at least two full pages.
List of all assignments until today (click the links or the videos to watch some of my lectures on these papers):
*Harlem Renaissance essay: an overview of the introductory chapter to my book and the introduction to the Harlem Renaissance in The Norton Anthology of African American Literature (3 pages)HRRenaissance
*Angelina Weld Grimke essay: compare and contrast two of Grimke's poems, addressing theme, symbolism, and irony (2 pages).Grimke
*Jessie Redmon Fauset essay on Plum Bun: compare and contrast the two sisters' outlook on the world (2-3 pages).
*Anne Spencer essay: write about one of her poems and discuss her emphasis on the blues in her poetry (2 pages).
*Arthur Schomburg essay: write about how Schomburg discusses African American history. What points does he make and are they still relevant today? (2 pages)
*New Negro: Write about Alain Locke's essay The New Negro. What does this concept signify and what does it mean for the Harlem Renaissance?
(2 pages)
*Langston Hughes essay: compare and contrast "Ballad of the Landlord" with "Theme for English B"; discuss race and class relations in both poems (write 2 pages).
* Midterm Exam: first chapter of my book on Langston Hughes and also Langston Hughes' poetry, written in class
Send all assignments to me at raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com.
Total: 16 pages
These are all of the assignments for the first half of the semester, except for the midterm exam that we will have at the end of February.
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
Today, we discussed Plum Bun and the paper you will write on this novel.
For your paper on Jessie Redmon Fauset's Plum Bun, compare and contrast Angela's mentality with Virginia's mentality. How are the two sisters different? Discuss specific scenes from the excerpted chapters in The Norton Anthology of African American Literature 2nd Edition and support your argument with quotes from my chapter on Fauset in Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance.
My analysis of Fauset is on pages 214-224 in PDF in the Harlem Renaissance.
The excerpts from Plum Bun are from pages 976-982 in The Norton Anthology of African American Literature.
This literature paper should be at least 3 pages in length typed. Remember to follow the MLA format. Put your name in the upper left hand margin. Put the title of your essay in the center, e.g. The Psychology of Color in Jessie Redmon Fauset's Plum Bun. Do not underline the title or put it in quotations.
How do you place quotes in your paper? Typically, you should write an introductory paragraph in which you describe the main ideas or thesis of your essay. In the body paragraphs, you should have quotes. Quotes need to be introduced by a statement summarizing the quote or by simply stating "Redmon writes,". Here are some examples:
Jessie Redmon Fauset describes how Angela views the idea of color as a problem she would like to avoid: "...the great rewards of life--riches, glamour, pleasure,--are for white-skinned people only" (979).
*Note that when you first cite an author's name, the general convention is to use the whole name. If you have already stated the author's full name, use the author's last name, nor her first name. If you had already mentioned the author's full name, the quote would read:
Fauset describes how Angela views the idea of color as a problem she would like to avoid: "...the great rewards of life--riches, glamour, pleasure,--are for white-skinned people only" (979).
Finally, if you don't mention the author's name before the quote, then you have to place it in parentheses before the page number:
Angela views the idea of color as a problem she would like to avoid: "...the great rewards of life--riches, glamour, pleasure,--are for white-skinned people only" (979).
Be sure to analyze and interpret all of the quotes in light of your central argument or thesis. Relate the quote to your argument or interpretation. You should support your interpretation of literature with quotes and a close reading. Do not use too many quotes because you need to analyze and interpret. For instance, with the quote above, you could relate it to the historical context. You might explain: During segregation, many African Americans falsely equated the white world with riches and success, while in fact, many whites also suffered from poverty and discrimination--they were just less visible than successful whites.
Do not forget your works cited page at the end of your paper. See previous posts for how to write a works cited list.
Here are two brief video lectures I did on Fauset's writing and my book:
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
Today, we discussed Jessie Redmon Fauset's work. You should read pages 975-982. You need to write a two page paper analyzing the relationship between Angela and her sister Virginia. Also, read my analysis of Plum Bun in pages 214-224 in Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance.
There are many passages in my book that you could quote concerning Angela's journey from immaturity and idealism to realism by the end of the novel. When she decides to pass, she doesn't realize the dangers inherent in betrayng her own race: "Rejecting her own kin leads to a sense that she is abandoning herself to a world she cannot understand or control" (Comprone 220).
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Watch this video lecture on Anne Spencer (at the bottom of this post). You will have an upcoming assignment on Anne Spencer's poetry. You will have to write a full one page essay on one of her poems in The Norton Anthology. Remember to follow MLA format.
The Norton Anthology of African American Literature is an anthology, which is a collection of literary works that is often used in college courses.
Here is an example of how to cite Spencer's poetry.
In Anne Spencer's poem "Dunbar," she describes the relationship between poetry and death: "Ah, how poets sing and die!" (line 1).
The first time you mention an author's name, you mention the entire name; afterwards, you just mention the author's last name.
Never refer to an author by the author's first name.
Always introduce the quote by stating what it is about:
Spencer's poem deals with the theme of the blues and poetry: "Make one song and Heaven takes it;/Have one heart and Beauty breaks it" (lines 2-3).
After you introduce a quote, discuss the meaning of the quote by interpreting the words used by the writer.
In your introductory paragraph, you should mention the theme of the literary work you are writing about. It is a good idea to put most of your quotes in your body paragraphs. The conclusion should summarize your argument.
At the end of your paper, you need a works cited:
Spencer, Anne. "Dunbar." The Norton Anthology of African American Literature: 2nd Edition. Ed. Gates & McKay. New York: Norton, 2004. 972.
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Please send me your test (from Thursday) to my gmail account at raphaeljohncomprone@gmail.com. Also, please send me your Schomburg essay and the Angelina Weld Grimke essay. Please use your own words and do not cut and paste.
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
Today, we reviewed for the test on Thursday on the introduction to the Harlem Renaissance in Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance and in The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. You need to bring both books on Thursday for the test. You will need to include quotes from both books when you write about the Harlem Renaissance. The question for the essay is: What happened during the Harlem Renaissance? You will write an in class essay on Thursday.
Other assignments to be turned in at the end of January (each of these assignments should be at least two full pages and should contain quotes to support your interpretation of the works you are analyzing; also, follow MLA format):
* compare and contrast two poems by Angelina Weld Grimke
* write an essay on Schomburg's "The Negro Digs Up His Past"
January 14th, 2010 Thursday
Read the poetry of Angelina Weld Grimke. Write a two page paper comparing and contrasting two of her poems. Use MLA format. When quoting poetry, count the line numbers instead of citing page numbers.
Grimke describes a black finger as "slim and still" (line 2).
You need to work on your essay on Schomburg's "The Negro Digs Up His Past." You should keep this essay in your journal, which will be turned in at the end of January.
Here is an example of a quote in a paper:
Schomburg states that "the American Negro must remake his past in order to make his future" (963).
When writing a literature paper, be sure to INTERPRET rather than summarize. Discuss the problem the writer addresses and discuss aspects of the work such as theme, symbolism, imagery, conflict, point of view, setting, character, plot, and irony. Do not address all of these points; settle on a few main ideas to interpret and support your argument with quotes.
Here is an example of a works cited page (placed at the end of the essay):
Schomburg, Arthur. "The Negro Digs Up His Past." The Norton Anthology of African American Literature 2nd Edition. Ed. Gatses & McKay. New York: Norton, 2004. 963-967.
January 11, 2010
Here is a link to my video lecture on Arthur Schomburg's essay "The Negro Digs Up His Past." We will do some writing on this subject in class soon.
Here is my video lecture on the introductory chapter to my book, Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance.
Today, we had our first class. You should purchase my book, Poetry, Desire, and Fantasy in the harlem Renaissance and The Norton Anthology of African American Literature 2nd Edition. Please read the Introduction to Poetry, Desire, and fantasy in the Harlem Renaissance along with the Introduction to the Harlem Renaissance in The Norton Anthology. I also discussed how to write a literature paper. In your literature papers, you can discuss symbolism, theme, character, plot, metaphor, tropes, conflict, point of view, irony, and setting. You should focus on one specific aspect of the work you are writing on rather than deal with all of the above approaches. Your title should be original; you should have a central thesis; you should support your thesis with quotes from the work; you should analyze quotes; you should have an effective introduction and conclusion; and, lastly, you should follow MLA format.
When citing poetry, you should use forward slashes to indicate a new line of verse:
George Moses Horton describes in "George Moses Horton, Myself" the realities of aging: "I know that I am old/And never can recover what is past"(lines 5-6).
When you are writing about prose, you cite the page numbers:
Harriet Jacobs uses understatement to emphasize the rigors of slavery in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: "I have not exaggerated the wrongs inflicted by Slavery; on the contrary, my descriptions fall far short of the facts" (209).
You must have a works cited at the end of your paper:
Works Cited.
Jacobs, Harriet. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. The Norton Anthology of African American Literature: 2nd Edition. Ed. Gates & Mckay. New York: Norton, 2004. 209-245.
Saint Paul’s College: Department of Humanities & Behavioral Sciences
African American Literature
Course Information: Instructor:
English 230-2 Dr. Raphael Comprone
Spring Semester 2010
Class Time: Office:
T R 11-12:15 P.M. RH 136
Classroom: Office Hours:
RH KIVA MWF 2-4 P. M. T R 2-3 P.M.
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:
Recommended Internet Sites: www.comprone.info for updates on assignments, syllabi, poetry club submissions (extra credit)
