Winter 2010: English 212, section 03: Introduction to African American Rhetoric

NOTE: This syllabus may change as class needs dictate.

General information

Course information

Overview/Objectives

Homework schedule

Assignments & Grading

Course policies

Overview and Objectives

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, 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 philosophy, culture, 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 five pages, single-spaced, with fifteen APA references, and the course project will reflect an interpretation and understanding of the course material. 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 [analysis paper drafts, group discussions & facilitation, class discussions, visual critiques or interpretations] write effective, researched academic texts in English [analysis paper & drafts] create a course project that formulates an academic-oriented, critical response to class discussions and readings [course project].