The Interracial Romance
English 4850Dr. Laila Amine
Literature in Context
Fall 2015Office: Language 408D
Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:30-1:50pm (Lang 222)Office hours: T: 2:30 – 5:30 pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS
From engrossing television shows like Scandalor Murder in the First, to popular Hollywood films such as Something New, Save the Last Dance, to the Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner remake, the interracial romance is increasingly the object of popular culture entertainment. To understand the significance of these contemporary representations, this course employs a selection of African American literary texts and Hollywood films to examine why the interracial romance wasa long-standing taboo in American culture.
The interracial romance presents us with an interesting puzzle: why was it such a popular theme in novels and films even during the period in which no African American and white individuals could legally be wed in most states? The path to answering this puzzle will take us to the analysis of literature, and of the social, legal, and historical contexts.We will compare varied portrayals of the black-white romance from the 1920s to the contemporary period. The genres of these romances include the Harlem Renaissance, the protest novel, the neo-slave narrative, and Hollywood films.
Because the class is discussion-based with short contextual lectures, students are expected to participate actively in each class. In addition, they will do short quizzes and an exam, as well as a presentation and a final project on a relevant topic of their choice.
REQUIRED TEXTS
The books below are available at the UNT Barnes and Nobles bookstore, with the exception of The Stone Face which copy you can purchase at Eagle Images under our class number and my name.
- Nella Larsen’sQuicksand and Passing (Rutgers University Press, 1986)
- Dorothy West’s The Wedding(Anchor, 1996)
- William Gardner Smith’s The Stone Face (Farrar, 1963). Course pack available for copy at Eagle Images (University Services Building, room 124, 2310 North Interstate 35E, Denton, TX 76205)
- Octavia Butler’s Kindred (Beacon Press, 2004)
REQUIRED FILMS
The films listed below are on reserve at the UNT media library in Chilton Hall.
- Pinky by Elia Kazan (1949)
- A Patch of Blue by Guy Green (1965)
- Guess who is Coming to Dinner by Stanley Kramer (1967)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory and is crucial to successful performance. To allow for unexpected emergencies only, you will not be penalized for missing two classes over the course of the semester, however each additional absence or frequent tardiness will affect your final grade.
Class participation
For every class, students will bring a discussion question about the reading OR select one brief passage of the text to analyze (a phrase, a sentence, or a paragraph). Questions and passages should be chosen for their discussion potential.
Quizzes
To encourage good reading habits, students will take a very short quiz at the beginning of class. At the end of the semester, the quiz with the lowest score will be dropped.
Midterm exam
This exam will consist of a few analytical questions about the reading.
Presentation
Each student or group of students will present on a contemporary issue of their choice thematically related to the course material (10 minutes or less).
Final essay: Students will write an analytical essay about a work of fiction discussed in class.Guidelines will be distributed.
GRADE DISTRIBUTION
Class participation20%
Quizzes30%
Midterm exam 20%
Presentation10%
Final essay20%
COURSE POLICY
Academic integrity: It is crucial that students inform themselves of the University’s regulations on academic integrity, before it affects them. Cheating, plagiarism, and other academic misconducts will be pursued. The guidelines on how to use and quote material can be accessed at the following link:
Incomplete for course grade: Only under the most extreme and exceptional circumstances can students petition for an incomplete. Please note that the grade of “Incomplete” (“I”) is given only when the work of the course is substantially completed and only if the student’s work is of passing quality at the time he or she petitions an “I.”
Special circumstances for make-up exams: To be fair to all students, make-up exams will not be given, except in the case of extreme emergencies (such as prolonged hospitalization for a severe illness). Permission must be obtained, if possible, before the exam and with all supporting documentation.
Disability Accommodations and Special Needs: Please let me know right away if you have any special needs that would need accommodation to make you more comfortable in this class. If your documentation needs to be updated you can find information and resources to contact on the following link:
Safe Space for Diversity and Open Communication: In this course, you are expected to keep an open mind while we discuss a wide range of topics that may sometimes be controversial. Students from all backgrounds – including by race, nationality and sexual orientation – are welcome and their opinions valued.
Communicating via E-mail: E-mail is the best way to contact me and I strive to respond quickly. Please be sure that messages are written formally with the a subject line that includes the course (e.g. “ENG4850: Question about exam”); Salutation (e.g. “Dear Dr. Amine”) at the beginning; Message (always mention the purpose of the e-mail in at least one full sentence, even if you are just submitting an attachment), Full name at the end (e.g. “Sincerely, Jane Smith”)
Classroom Policy on Electronic Devices: It is very important that you are engaged in this class and not distracted by any electronic devices such as a laptop computer, tablet, or cell phone. Generally, use of a laptopis not necessary in this class but if you do need to use one, please meet with me to discuss it.
RESOURCES
Learning center:
The learning center can help you understand your learning style, get you free tutoring, advise on time management, note taking, test taking strategies, test anxiety, speed reading, and provide you with exam prep materials (GMAT, GRE, LSAT, etc).
Career Center:
Counseling and testing services:
C&TS deals with well-being, career counseling, consultation, mental health screenings, etc.
Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities:
Office of Disability Accommodation:
Student Legal Services:
Student Health and Wellness Center:
READING SCHEDULE
Week 1
Tue Aug 25: 1st day of class. Introduction to the Interracial Romance
Thu Aug 27: Passing 143-190
Week 2
Tue Sept 1: Passing 191-end
Thu Sept 3: Discussion of Pinky
Week 3
Tue Sept 8: The Wedding 1-55
Thu Sept 10: The Wedding 56-101
Week 4
Tue Sept 15: The Wedding 102-151
Thu Sept 17: The Wedding 152-202
Week 5
Tue Sept 22: Finish the Wedding 203-240
Thu Sept 24: Discussion of A Patch of Blue
Week 6
Tue Sept 29: Discussion of Guess Who is Coming to Dinner
Thu Oct 1: James Baldwin’s “This Morning, This Evening, So Soon”
Week 7
Tue Oct 6: William G. Smith’s The Stone Face p1-57
Thu Oct 8: The Stone Face p58-112
Week 8
Tue Oct 13: The Stone Face p113-166
Thu Oct 15: Finish The Stone Face p 167-213
Week 9
Tue Oct 20: Midterm exams/ open books
Thu Oct 22: Octavia Butler’s Kindred (1-51)
Week 10
Tue Oct 27: Kindred (52-107)
Thu Oct 29: Kindred (108-160)
Week 11
Tue Nov 3: Kindred (161-213)
Thu Nov 5: Finish Kindred (214-264)
Week 12
Tue Nov 10: Recap and instruction on paper writing
Thu Nov 12: Student presentations
Week 13
Tue Nov 17: Student presentations
Thu Nov 19: Student presentations
Week 14
Tue Nov 24: Student presentations
Thu Nov 26: THANKSGIVING (no class)
Week 15:
Tue Dec 1: Essay due
Thu Dec 3: TBA