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English 212, section 08 -- Topics in Critical Writing: Introduction to African American Rhetoric

NOTE: This syllabus may change as class needs dictate.

1. General information 2. Course information 3. Overview and Objectives 4. Homework & schedule 5. Assignments & Grading

Required Texts:

• Niane, D.T. Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. Pearson, 2006. ISBN 9781405849425
• Dyson, Michael. Reflecting Black. University of Minnesota Press, 1993. ISBN 0816621438
• Smitherman, Geneva. Black Talk: Words and Phrases from the Hood to the Amen Corner. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2000. ISBN: 0395969190
  

Other resources:

• Student Technology Center, 2nd Floor, Zahnow Library http://www.svsu.edu/stc
• The Writing Center, 3rd floor, Zahnow Library http://www.svsu.edu/writingcenter/
• Research assistance at SVSU Zahnow Library here
• Information Technology Services @ SVSU here
• English Department grading rubric here [downloads RTF file]
• Your local public library *elsewhere*

 

 

 

Our look at African American Rhetoric will be in various modes: We will do some research on the historical evolution from the African Kingdom of Mali (culture), read about contemporary issues in the U.S. (philosophy), listen to and watch examples of African American rhetoric (language), and present an interpretation through culture, philosophy, or language. We will also explore the purpose and meaning of Adinkra symbols such as these: The Adinkra symbols used in the class will be connected with the cultural aspects, philosophical perspectives, and language use associated with African American Rhetoric.
Reminders:
Reviewing the Attendance policy, the Assignments policy, and the SVSU policies is beneficial. You will also find specifics on grading and the minimum effort.
If you need to contact me by e-mail at "fidallas@svsu.edu," the subject line should contain your last name, course and section number [for example, using my name the subject line would be: Dallas, English 212-08] to prevent your e-mail from being misplaced as possible spam. Please ensure that you use your SVSU e-mail account for a reply within 48 hours, otherwise a reply may take up to 96 hours. If I feel the question's response would be of benefit to the entire class, I may place the anonymous question and response in a FAQ section of VSpace.

 

 

 

 

ENGL212: Emphasizes processes of critical reading and writing, as applied to several modes of communication. Frequent writing assignments for different audiences, with attention to disciplinary conventions and rhetorical strategies for argument in academic discourse. Workshop approaches. Includes work in developing research questions and using library and electronic resources. Refines abilities to analyze both student and professional texts. Specific content for reading may be organized by theme. Sample topics: Introduction of Rhetoric, Reading Media, Writing About the Holocaust, Writing in Cyberspace. (Cross-listed with ENGL 285.) Prerequisite: ENGL 111

Weelll, Rex is hiding in a box...*it's a "cat" thing you know*

Overview: What is African American Rhetoric? We will be reading an epic, Sundiata, examining articles from Reflecting Black and other sources, & listening to and reading oral and written texts to understand the complexity of African American Rhetoric. In-class discussions, group assessments, reaction papers, and visual critiques or interpretations will be components of this course, especially as critical reflections and responses to understanding the complexity and robustness of the culture, philosophy, and language of African Americans. An analysis paper and course project will present an interpretation of African American Rhetoric through culture, philosophy, or language. The analysis paper will be two to three pages, single-spaced, and the course project will be a group effort, each member contributing a specific part of the project. All assignments will become a part of the course portfolio which is due on CD at the end of the semester.

Course objectives are designed to enable students to: develop strategies for academic critical reading and analysis of oral, written, and visual texts [reaction papers, group discussions & facilitation, class discussions, visual critiques or interpretations] write effective, researched academic texts in English [reaction papers, analysis paper] create a course project that formulates an academic-oriented, critical response to class discussions and readings [course project].

If you need to contact me by e-mail at "fidallas@svsu.edu," the subject line should contain your last name, course and section number to prevent your e-mail from being misplaced as possible spam.

NOTE 1: All responses and work for the course will be burned to CD (course portfolio) and turned in at the final examination period. This CD will not be returned, so you may wish to make a copy for yourself.

NOTE 2: You may turn in your assignment early if you know you are going to miss a class. I do not accept assignments via e-mail. For each day (or portion thereof) that your assignment is late, two (2) points will be deducted. Lost flash drives, M drive problems, incompatible software versions, or 'homework on computer at home' are not legitimate excuses for late work.

Course weekly schedule:
Activities are DUE on the date indicated by the course schedule. Please review to plan your time wisely.
Class days: T = Tuesday; R=Thursday
Assignments: indicated by bold text
Texts: S=Sundiata; RB=Reflecting Black
Articles: @ VS=at VSpace

Class Discussions, Group Discussion and Facilitation, & Audio Critiques or Interpretations -- 10 points:

Class discussions are to analyze, critique, and supplement reading assignments. Each student is expected to come to class prepared to discuss reading assignments, provide other perspectives on the material, and offer constructive analysis on the material. Students are expected to engage this material from an Afrocentric perspective, using rhetorical terms and claims for analysis.

Andinkra groups are expected to respond or react to the readings through group discussion at VSpace. Each group will have an opportunity to lead or facilitate a class discussion. These discussions should be supplemented by three to five terms from Black Talk. Students are expected to engage this material from an Afrocentric perspective, using rhetorical terms and claims for analysis.

Reaction and response to audio (oral) material will offer an opportunity to discuss and understand the African American rhetorical tradition through the spoken word. Students are expected to engage this material from an Afrocentric perspective, using rhetorical terms and claims for analysis.

Format for assignments and responses:
Each paper will be typed, single-spaced, with one-inch margins. Use Arial 12 point, Bookman Old Style12 point, or Century Gothic 11 point fonts. The top of the paper should be formatted as such:

[your name]
English 212-08
[Adinkra group]
Dr. Dallas
[date]

Then skip a line and center the title of your paper. Skip another line and begin your paper. Your paper should be at least one page, but not more than one page. Your paper should be ready to turn in upon arrival in class.

You may turn in your assignment early if you know you are going to miss a class. I do not accept assignments via e-mail. For each day (or portion thereof) that your assignment is late, two (2) points will be deducted. Lost flash drives, M drive problems, incompatible software versions, or 'homework on computer at home' are not legitimate excuses for late work.

Reaction papers: -- seven papers of 5 points each for a total of 35 points:
One-page, single-spaced reaction papers will analyze and critique readings, using an epic theme, a rhetorical term, claim, or proverb as indicated on the course weekly schedule listing above. These reaction papers should follow an academic discourse model, using a topic, thesis, and topic sentences.

Epic theme: In the thesis statement, identify the epic themes (2 or 3) to be used. The themes should be explained (what they mean to you), and then discussed or analyzed in your response by citing examples from the reading and explaining them. You may use in-text page references as needed.

Rhetorical term & claims: In the thesis statement, identify the rhetorical term to be used. The term should be defined and then explained (what it means to you). As you discuss how the rhetorical term is used, offer claims and proof which justify or prove your analysis in your response, using multiple examples from the reading. You may use in-text page references as needed.

Proverb: In the thesis statement, identify the proverb to be used. The proverb should be defined and then its meaning explained (what it means to you). As you discuss how the proverb is used, offer the historical perspective (put the proverb in a context) and then show how it has evolved into a contemporary usage ("Mama Sez"). Use multiple examples from the reading which justifies or proves your analysis. You may use in-text page references as needed.

Analysis paper: -- the analysis paper is worth 15 points:
This paper should reflect your engagement with African American Rhetoric and academic writing. You will do some library research on an area of interest that is connected to course material.

Rough draft: A (full) one-page, single-spaced rough draft critical analysis paper will examine an aspect of African American rhetoric, using the cultural, philosophical, or language theme. You may extend the discussion on a theme from a Reflecting Black chapter or from other assigned class readings. An outline of the final paper should also be included. The rough draft with at least three academic journal sources or references in APA style is worth 5 points and is due week 11.

Final version: A two- to three-page, single-spaced critical analysis paper will examine an aspect of African American rhetoric, using the cultural, philosophical, or language theme. This paper will cite at least five academic journal references --four print and one website -- in addition to the materials covered in the course. The final version with five academic journal sources or references in APA style is worth 10 points and is due week 14.

Course project: -- each individual segment is worth 5 points (or a percentage based on number in group); total project is worth 20 points:
This project is a combinatory individual assignment and Adinkra group assignment. While each member of the group is responsible for their specific section of the project, all component parts should work together as a whole. In this way, one person is not responsible for the entire project, and there is no need to consume numerous stomach anti-acid tablets.

This project reflects your understanding and resultant application of an African American Rhetoric theme of culture, philosophy, or language. Your group will begin to discuss the course project through a shared discussion space on VSpace. There will also be two scheduled "Project Days" at week 5 and week 9 where you will meet with your Adrinka group outside of class. On those Project Days, we will not meet in the classroom, but any assignments due should be turned in at my office, Zahnow 219 (in the office suite next to the Student Technology Center, 2nd floor of the Library). There is a box outside of my office door. Additionally, at week 11 and week 14, there will be in-class meetings to work on projects.

The total project will be from fifteen to twenty minutes in length. The course project is worth 20 points, will be presented in class, and is due week 15.

The course project should encompass one of these themes:

A speech by an African American (philosophy or language)
An African American movie (culture or language)--must be approved by Dr. Dallas
An African American cultural observance (culture or philosophy)--Kwanzaa, Juneteenth, etc.

This project not only extends your knowledge of the topic, but also allows you to share your critical analysis viewpoint with the class. Projects should be presented from an Afrocentric viewpoint, with the goal to educate, inform, and enlighten. Consider "Funtummireku-Denkyemmireku," "Hwehwemudua," and "Sankofa." Projects may be used by Dr. Dallas in future classes.

Course Portfolio -- 10 points:
Your course assignments will be saved as .RTF files and burned to CD. This item is due at the final exam period. This CD should be burned before the final examination period, and you should verfiy the readability of the contents by checking on a computer other than the one used to burn your files--if you can't read it, neither can I. You may wish to make a copy for yourself, as this item will not be returned. The assignments and corresponding file names are as follows:

reaction paper 1 -- rp1.rtf
reaction paper 2 -- rp2.rtf
reaction paper 3 -- rp3.rtf
reaction paper 4 -- rp4.rtf
reaction paper 5 -- rp5.rtf
reaction paper 6 -- rp6.rtf
reaction paper 7 -- rp7.rtf
Course project segment -- cps.rtf, cps.pdf, cps.wav, etc. (Dr. Dallas will assist with converting this assignment)
Analysis paper rough draft -- aprd.rtf
Analysis paper final -- apf.rtf

Final exam -- 10 points:
The final exam will consist of a response to a given article, using a rhetorical term or a claim. The original document will be turned in at the end of the final exam period. Follow the assignment format above for preparing your response. Check your print balance before the final examination to ensure that you will be able to print and turn in the final response.