E314L: Reading Women Writers Syllabus

E314L: Reading Women Writers Syllabus • M/W 5:00 to 6:30 • GAR 2.128• E314L 34035 and WGS 48335• Spring 2010 • Instructor: Jessica Goudeau Office: Ca...
Author: Virgil Barker
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E314L: Reading Women Writers Syllabus • M/W 5:00 to 6:30 • GAR 2.128• E314L 34035 and WGS 48335• Spring 2010 •

Instructor: Jessica Goudeau Office: Calhoun 330-B Office Hours: Thursdays, 10:00 to 1:00 at Einstein’s Bagels on Guadalupe and by appointment. Phone appointments are encouraged. E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 535-2626 (home)

Course Des cription: In this class we will look at the work of twentieth-century women writers from around the world. We will examine work by poets and fiction writers who were marginalized because of their race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation. In this course we will look at the historical and cultural situations against which the writers were reacting and introduce basic critical methodologies to provide a framework for our discussions. Because of the inclusion of translated texts, we will briefly explore the complexity of reading translations. Throughout the class we will focus on formal skills such as close reading, especially the differences between reading poetry and fiction. As an introductory English course, this class will help you to develop academic writing and research skills. To fulfill the substantial writing component to this class, you will write three essays and several short assignments. You will have the opportunity to critique others’ work and receive their input on your writing during two peer reviews. You will prepare a research essay that will showcase your research abilities. You will also participate in a social justice poetry project that will enable you to use the skills you’ve acquired in this class in a real and engaging way.

Require d Tex ts: • • • • • • • • •

“Land of Dreams” and “I Sweep the Sun off Rooftops,” Hanan al-Shaykh* “Jump,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Some are Born to Sweet Delight,” and “The Ultimate Safari,” Nadine Gordimer* Selections from The Stories of Eva Luna, Isabel Allende* Selected essays, Critical Terms for Literary Study, Frank Lentricchia and Thomas McLaughlin* American Indian Stories, Zitkala-Sa+ Quicksand¸ Nella Larsen+ The Awakening, Kate Chopin+ Little Penguin Handbook, by Lester Faigley+ Selected poems by Cecília Meireles, Elizabeth Bishop, Anna Akhmatova, and various African and Latina poets*

*Contained in the course packets, available at Speedway Copying in the Dobie Mall +Available at the University Co-op (Please note that the EXACT volumes available in the Co-op are required in case you decide to order them online.)

Atten dan ce You are expected to attend class, to arrive on time, to have prepared assigned reading and writing and to participate in all in-class editing, revising, and discussion sessions. If you find that an unavoidable problem prevents you from attending class, you should contact me as soon as possible. When you must miss a class, you are responsible for getting notes and assignments from a classmate. You will not be penalized for missing class on religious holy days. A student who misses classes or another required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day should inform the instructor, in writing, well in advance of the absence, so that alternative arrangements can be made to complete work If you know you will have to miss class(es) for this reason, provide me with the date(s) as early as possible. Please note that the University specifies very few other excused absences (e.g., jury duty).

Tardies an d Absen ces: Three tardies equal one absence. Should you miss the equivalent of five T/M class sessions this semester, excused or not, you will fail the course.

Coursework Gra des: You will write three individual papers based on prompts provided by your instructor. You will have the option to revise your first and second papers in order to incorporate the feedback and criticism provided by your instructor. You are also responsible for several short assignments, quizzes and a special project that will culminate at the end of the semester. Grades are based on a plus and minus system and will be calculated using the 4.0 system. All grades are absolute and will not be rounded up: A = 4.0 A- = 3.7 B+ = 3.3 B = 3.0 B- = 2.7 C+ = 2.3 C = 2.0 C- = 1.7 D+ = 1.3 D = 1.0 F = 0.0

Format of Pape rs: All submitted work in this class must be typewritten in English. The first page of each paper or short assignment (not a header) must include the following information in the upper left corner: Your name Course Number and Unique Number Date The format should be double-spaced with one-inch margins. If you have more than one page, page numbers should appear in the upper right hand corner. Papers submitted in a non-digital form should be stapled together in the upper left corner. Every paper will be in MLA format.

Assign ments:

Percen tage of

Gra de: Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Writing in the Margins presentation and response Short assignments (close reading, translations, quizzes)

15% 20% 25% 15% 25%

Late Gra des: Late papers will be docked one letter grade for every day they are late. In order to pass the class, all assignments must be completed and turned in (whether graded or not) and students must make passing grades on all major essays to pass the class.

Important Da tes: • February 15: Last day to drop a class without a possible academic penalty. • February 22: Essay 1 due • March 29: Essay 2 due • April 28: Essay 3 due • May 5: Final poetry project (in place of a final exam!)

Othe r Importan t In formation : In- Class Pa rticipation: In-class participation is an integral part of this course. Lively and engaging discussion is not just encouraged but expected. You will have the opportunity to work in small groups as well as to discuss issues with the class as a whole. Discussion should always be respectful. Your peers will be your best resource throughout this class; view this as an opportunity to learn from and listen to their viewpoints, as well as to express your own.

Clas s Commun ication : All class documents (syllabus, assignment prompts, etc.) will be located on the Blackboard class site at http://courses.utexas.edu. The version on Blackboard of the syllabus will always be the latest version; make sure you check the syllabus on Blackboard to see if there have been any changes to the class plan for the semester. The syllabus is subject to change during the semester. Your instructor will e-mail you of any important changes. You should check your e-mail on a daily basis. The e-mail account that UT has on record is the one your instructor will be using to send you e-mails, so make sure you either check it or have your e-mails forwarded to the e-mail account you use most frequently. Your instructor reserves the right to make changes to assignments or submit other important information to you by e-mail. Any significant information will always be sent at least 24 hours before your next class period.

Un iversity of Tex as Hon or Code: The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.

Docume nte d Disa bility S ta te men t: The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259 (voice) or 232-2937 (video phone).

Resources for Le arn ing & Life a t UT Aus tin: The University of Texas has numerous resources for students to provide assistance and support for your learning: • The UT Learning Center: http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/ • Undergraduate Writing Center: http://uwc.utexas.edu/ • Counseling & Mental Health Center: http://cmhc.utexas.edu/ • Career Exploration Center: http://www.utexas.edu/student/careercenter/ • Student Emergency Services: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/

Un it 1: W 1/20:

Introductions. Course overview. Attendance and course policies. Ground rules for discussion. Introduction to class approaches and issues. Introduction to Hanan al-Shaykh.

M 1/25:

For class: “I Sweep the Sun off Rooftops.” Quiz. In-class discussion of “I Sweep.”

Syllabus and due dates. Course expectations. W 1/27:

For class: “Culture,” Stephen Greenblatt Overview of cultural approach; close-reading of Greenblatt essay. Focus on thesis statements.

M 2/1:

For class: “Land of Dreams.” Quiz. In-class discussion of “Land of Dreams.” Focus on outlines and citation. Grading methods (from thesis sentence and argument to grammar and spelling). Overview of close reading assignment. Introduction to Nadine Gordimer.

W 2/3:

For class: “Some are Born to Sweet Delight,” “The Ultimate Safari.” Quiz. In-class discussion stories, comparison of “Some are Born” to “Land of Dreams.”

M 2/8:

For class: 2-page close reading due by e-mail by 5:00 pm. “Jump” and “Once Upon a Time.” Quiz. Introduction to Isabel Allende and magical realism.

W 2/10:

For class: “Prologue,” “Two Words,” “Tomás Vargas.” Quiz. In-class discussion of short stories. Overview of Essay 1.

M 2/15:

For class: “The Schoolteacher’s Guest,” “Interminable Life,” “Phantom Palace,” “And of Clay Are We Created.” Quiz. Outline of Essay 1. Small group “Citation Scavenger Hunt.” In-class thesis statement exercise.

W 2/17:

For class: Bring a finished copy of Essay 1 to class. Peer review of essay 1.

M 2/22:

For class: Essay 1 due. Meet in HRC. Introduction to The Awakening and American Indian Stories. Introduction to historical research from the Atlantic Monthly: http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/moa/moa_browse.html

Un it 2: W 2/24:

For class: The Awakening. Quiz. Introduction to The Awakening and Kate Chopin, contemporary issues. In-class discussion of The Awakening.

M 3/1:

For class: The Awakening. Quiz. In-class discussion of The Awakening. Introduction American Indian Stories and Zitkala-Sa.

W 3/3:

For class: American Indian Stories (including portion of the introduction). Begin class discussion of American Indian Stories

M 3/8:

For class: American Indian Stories. Focus on Atlantic Monthly research. Outline of essay 2 in class.

W 3/10:

For class: American Indian Stories. In-class discussion of AIS.

M 3/15:

SPRING BREAK

W 3/17:

SPRING BREAK

M 3/22:

For class: Quicksand, Introduction, Chs. 1-10. Quiz. In-class discussion of Quicksand.

W 3/24:

For class: Quicksand, Chs. 11-25. Quiz. In-class discussion of Quicksand. Essay 1 returned.

M 3/29:

For class: Essay 2 due. Overview of poetry issues, terms, and questions for the unit.

Un it 3: W 3/31:

For class: “How to Read a Poem.” Introduction to Elizabeth Bishop, Cecília Meireles and Brazilian poetry. Overview of translation project.

M 4/5:

For class: Elizabeth Bishop poems. Poetry presentation. Overview of translation issues.

W 4/7:

For class: Bishop poems. Poetry presentation. In-class discussion of Bishop.

M 4/12:

Translations due. Cecília Meireles poems. In-class presentation of translations.

W 4/14:

For class: Translations continued. Poems by Latinas. Poetry presentation. Introduction to Latin American poetry.

M 4/19:

For class: Poems by Latinas. Poetry presentation.

Introduction to Russian Writers of the Silver Age, especially Anna Akhmatova. Library skills part 1. Overview of Essay 3. W 4/21:

For class: Anna Akhmatova poems. Poetry presentation. Introduction to some African poets. Library skills part 2.

M 4/26:

For class: African poems. Poetry presentation. In-class discussion of African poems. Overview of final project.

W 4/28:

Essay 3 due electronically by 5:00

M 5/3:

For class: Group plans for poetry pedagogy project. End-of-the-year evaluations.

W 5/5:

“Writing in the Margins” Poetry Reading 3:00 to 5:30: Poetry workshop with refugees 6:00: Dinner at Freebird’s on South Congress 7:00-8:30: Poetry Reading at Dominican Joe