Travel through the African Diaspora Novel

Spring 2016Dr. Laila Amine

Survey of Ethnic

English 3920-001 (LANG 113)Office: Language 408D

Mondays 6:00-8:50pmOffice hours: W: 5-7pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS

This class examines various forms of movement in African Diaspora novels. We will read fiction about enslaved Africans who were transplanted to the United States and the Caribbean, fugitive slaves who escaped the U.S. South to find freedom up north, and Jamaican immigrants who came to London to make a better life for themselves. We will also read about a black Londoner discovering her history during a short vacation in the Caribbean and an African American expatriate coming of age in Paris, the so-called City of Light.

Some of the questions we will try to answer are: How do these displacements (coerced or voluntary) impact communities, families, and individuals? What is the protagonist’s interior journey as s/he leaves, is displaced, or returns home? How do new spaces with different racial and gendered dynamics change their perspectives about themselves, their kinfolks, and their country? What tropes, aesthetic forms, or structures do writers use to represent various aspects of the past?

Because the class is mainly discussion-based, students are expected to come to class with analytical questions about the reading, or passages they would like to discuss. In addition, they will complete short quizzes, a presentation, and two essays about class materials.

REQUIRED TEXTS

The books below are available at the UNT Barnes and Nobles bookstore.

  • Toni Morrison’s Beloved (Vintage, 2004)
  • Zadie Smith’s White Teeth (Vintage, 2001)
  • Shay Youngblood’s Black Girl in Paris (Riverheads Books, 2000)
  • Toni Morrison’s Tar Baby (Vintage, 2004)
  • Andrea Levy’s Fruit of the Lemon (Picador, 2007)

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 two quizzes with the lowest scores will be dropped.

Essay #1

Students will write an analytical essay about a work of fiction discussed in the first half of the class.Guidelines will be distributed.

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).

Essay #2

Students will write an analytical essay about a work of fiction discussed in the second half of the class.

GRADE DISTRIBUTION

Class participation20%

Quizzes30%

Essay #1 20%

Presentation10%

Essay #220%

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

1/18: Martin Luther King holiday

Week 2

1/25: First class

Week 3

2/1: Beloved (1-158)

Week 4

2/8: Beloved (159-end)

Week 5

2/15: White Teeth (1-116)

Week 6

2/22: White Teeth (117-227)

Week 7

2/29: White Teeth (227-339)

Week 8

3/7: White Teeth (339-end)

Week 9

(UNT SPRING BREAK)

Week 10

3/21: ESSAY #1 DUE

Black Girl in Paris (1-118)

Week 11

3/28: Black Girl in Paris (118-end)

Week 12

4/4: Tar Baby (1-149)

Week 13

4/11: Tar Baby (149-end)

Week 14

4/18: Fruit of the Lemon (1-146)

Week 15:

4/25: Fruit of the Lemon (147-278)

Week 16:

5/2: Fruit of the Lemon (279-end)

Week of finals:

5/9: ESSAY #2 DUE