ENGL 5355: Black Women Writers Spring 2012: MWF 11-11:50 Gamble 112 Dr. Lauren Camille Mason
Syllabus Course Objectives In this course, we will examine written and visual narratives that explore the black female body. We will read a broad range of texts (including film and other non-written narratives) that address sexuality, rape, physical abuse, motherhood, notions of beauty, and other issues that surround representations of the black woman’s body in literature and film. At the end of the course, students should be have a theoretical and practical knowledge of terminology, writers, texts, symbology, imagery, and sociopolitical implications of contemporary Black women’s literature.
Course Requirements (Undergraduate Students) To pass this course, you must complete each of these course requirements: • Throughout the semester, you will maintain a blog/ journal that contains all writing assignments and research assignments. • You must pass a midterm and final exam. • You must complete a final research project, which will incorporate writing and research assignments and a topic of the your choice (approved by me). • You must present your final research project at the end of the semester. • Your final grade also comprises reading quizzes, homework assignments, participation, and attendance points.
Course Requirements (Graduate Students) To pass this course, graduate students must: • Prepare and lead three classroom discussions throughout the semester • Moderate at least two online assignments • Maintain a research journal, which will be reviewed twice during the semester • Complete a final research project, which will incorporate writing and research assignments and a topic of the your choice You will meet with me at least four times this semester to discuss your research project. We will also meet prior to your classroom discussions to go over your lesson plan; we will meet after each of your discussions to review your performance. Throughout the semester, you will moderate online writing assignments, providing additional resources and/or constructive feedback for undergraduates. You do not have to take reading quizzes or post your responses to writing assignments on the class blog; you may log your
ENGL 5355: Black Women Writers Spring 2012: MWF 11-11:50 Gamble 112 Dr. Lauren Camille Mason
responses in your research journal, which I will review at the middle and end of the term. Your research journal should culminate in a final research project, which you will present at the end of the term.
Grading (Undergraduate) • • • • • •
Reading quizzes/ Writing Assignments: 20% Midterm exam: 20% Final exam: 20% Research Project: 20% Participation: 10% Attendance: 10%
Course Guidelines On Attendance The attendance policy will be strictly enforced. You are expected to arrive on time to every class meeting and to remain for the duration of the scheduled meeting time. You are allowed two free absences and two free latenesses. “Free” in this context means that your grade will not be affected negatively by the absence or tardiness. For every absence beyond that, five points will be deducted from your cumulative grade. For every lateness, 2.5 points will be deducted. For example, if your final grade is 95% and you missed 3 classes, you will lose a total of 10 points from the 95%; your adjusted grade will be 85%. Note: If you are dismissed from class for failing to read or bring your book, you will receive an absence for that day; the absence will result in a deduction from your final grade. I do not need or want to know why you were absent or late. Similarly, I do not need or want written excuses for your absences. There are no "excused" absences; you have two "free" days to use at your own discretion. With this said, I strongly encourage you to save these free days for emergencies. If you complete this course with perfect attendance, your participation grade will automatically become an "A." This can make the difference between an "A" and "B" in the course. I strongly urge you to monitor your attendance as I will not give any verbal warnings; I will simply mark it in the attendance book and deduct points at the end of the term. Additionally, you alone are responsible for getting notes, reading materials, assignments, and the like that may have been handed out that day from your classmates. Please do not ask me for these things. On Textbooks You must have the textbooks for this class. Period. You may not share texts with other classmates. Occasionally, I will order custom packages that can be purchased only in the AASU bookstore. In such cases, you are responsible for purchasing the text(s) from the bookstore in the first week of class. The same is true of special edition texts. I will let you know if you have to purchase a specific edition of a text. The majority of your books, however, are available off-campus and in various formats (Kindle, Nook, IBooks, etc.). The choice of where to purchase them is yours. I am not picky about the edition. However, you must have all texts by the third week of the semester (the day will be marked on your course calendar). This rule applies for electronic versions of texts as well. If you come to class without your books, I will dismiss you
ENGL 5355: Black Women Writers Spring 2012: MWF 11-11:50 Gamble 112 Dr. Lauren Camille Mason
for the day and mark you absent. On Late Assignments All assignments are due on the specified due date. I will not accept late assignments under any circumstances. This includes online assignments; late online assignments will be given a “0” grade. Similarly, I will not administer make-up exams or quizzes. You are expected to be present and accounted for on the exam/ quiz day at the start of the test (meaning on time). This same rule applies to any presentations that are you are responsible for delivering. You are expected to be present, prepared, and punctual on the day of your presentation, ready to present when you are called. On Being Responsible for Your Work I will give you written and/or oral instructions for each major assignment prior to the due date. Most of the time this information will be posted on our course website or our blog. You are responsible for assignments, instructions, and course materials that I post on both sites. Similarly, you are responsible for keeping your email account updated on S.H.I.P. with an email address that you use and for checking it daily. You will be responsible for responding to any instructions or materials that I send to the class by email. Please understand that “I have not checked my email” is never an acceptable excuse. On Cell Phones/ Electronic Devices Cell phones, laptops, and other electronic networking devices may not be used in the classroom (with the exception of eBook readers). By “used,” I mean they may not be heard, seen, or touched for the duration of our class period for any reason—this includes using them as time-keeping devices, reference resources, or to communicate via texting or email. If you are caught using any of these devices during class, you will lose one full point from your participation grade; the same applies to cell phones ringing in class. The third time this happens, you will be dismissed from class and given an absence for that day. I strongly encourage you to leave cell phones outside of the classroom or to turn them off prior to class. On Being Nice to Others Speak freely, but please treat your peers with respect in the classroom. We will spend a good deal of time discussing various (and sometimes uncomfortable) issues and working in groups, so it is imperative that we keep the tone of the classroom balanced—even in heated debate. I do not tolerate meanness or bullying in the classroom. You are expected to treat your classmates and me with courtesy and respect (I will do the same for you). In this same vein, disruptive behavior such as excessive talking, combative remarks, and arguing during class is not tolerated. Anyone engaging in such behavior will be dismissed from class immediately, given an absence for the day, and prohibited from returning to class until meeting with me (and possibly the department chair). If this behavior reoccurs, I will ask you to drop the course. AASU Policy on Academic Honesty From the AASU Code of Conduct: At each registration, students must agree to abide by the rules of the Honor Code and the Code of Conduct. The Honor Code and Code of Conduct shall be printed in the AASU Catalog, in the Students Illustrated and on the university website. It will be the responsibility of the Student Court or its designated representative to conduct an orientation program at the beginning of each semester for all new students to explain the Codes and allow discussion of the requirements for each Code. Any student desiring assistance with any matter related to these Codes is invited to seek assistance in the Division of Student Affairs. Students are expected to: 1. Exercise honesty in all matters, both academic and personal in nature.
ENGL 5355: Black Women Writers Spring 2012: MWF 11-11:50 Gamble 112 Dr. Lauren Camille Mason
2. Be fair and courteous with others, treat them fairly and with respect, showing sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity and personal dignity. 3. Accept personal responsibility for appropriate behavior as defined by the Codes. 4. Know the offenses under each Code and the penalties for violating them. 5. Understand that they are responsible for knowing and following any additional written or verbal requirements given by the professor, which relate to honor or conduct and which are inherent to the classroom or university functions. 6. Know what plagiarism is, as defined under the Honor Code; recognize that it undermines individual and academic integrity and ensure that it is avoided in both spirit and deed. 7. Understand that the Codes apply at all university activities whether on the main campus or at other locations. 8. Remember that they are representatives of Armstrong Atlantic State University and that they must always conduct themselves in a manner, which brings credit upon themselves and the university. Plagiarism, cheating, and any violations of the AASU Honor Code of Conduct will not be tolerated. If any of these violations are committed, you will be given an “F” for the course and reported to the Judicial Affairs
Office Hours and Contact Information I will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:15 for office hours. If you cannot make these hours, please contact me by email or after class for an appointment. You may also schedule an appointment online by going to the “Contact Dr. Mason” link on our course website. I check and respond to emails once a day after class; I will not respond to emails outside of this time block. I do not return phone calls, but I am happy to speak with you by phone if you happen to catch me in my office. You do not need to contact me if you will be absent or late for class. In this vein, please do not “text” me or call my personal number for non-emergency purposes. My office number is (912) 344-3216. I am located in 207E Gamble Hall. Note: You are always welcome to stop by my office if I am in.