CRN #: 10575 Section: 01 Credit Hours: 1 Office Location ... › schedules › syllabi › 202001...

The mission of Concord University is to provide quality, liberal arts based education, to foster scholarly

and creative activities and to serve the regional community (https://www.concord.edu/About/History-

Future.aspx).

English 425: African American Poetry

CRN #: 10575 Section: 01

Semester: Fall 2019 Professor: Dr. Elizabeth Roth

Credit Hours: 1 Office Location: ADMIN 314

Prerequisites: C or better in ENGL 301 Office Hours:

MWF 9:00 – 9:50 AM

Course Time: Thursday 3:30-4:20 PM TR 12:30-1:45 PM

Building and Room Number: ADMIN 308 Phone: (304) 384-5229

College/Department Website: https://www.concord.edu/Academics/College-of-Fine-Arts,-

Humanities,-and-Social-Scien/Department-of-Humanities.aspx

Course Description/Rationale:

This course will focus on poems written by African American authors.

Fulfills one Advanced Mini-Course requirement for B.A. English program, and/or the Minority

Author course requirement for the B.S. Education, English 5-Adult program.

Course Management System: Blackboard

Hardware/Software Needed: Microsoft Word CU students can download Microsoft Word to their personal computers without charge via their CU email

accounts. For help with this procedure, contact the IT Help Desk at (304) 384-5291.

Text requirements:

The Vintage Book of African American Poetry, edited by Michael S. Harper and Anthony

Walton

Additional material accessible via Blackboard

Concord University Educational Goals addressed by ENGL 425 - African American Poetry:

#1. Knowledge/Mastery of Content

Students will demonstrate a depth of knowledge and apply the methods of inquiry in a discipline of

their choosing, and they will demonstrate a breadth of knowledge across varied disciplines.

#2. Critical Thinking

Students will demonstrate the ability to access, analyze, and interpret information, respond and adapt to

changing situations, make complex decisions, solve problems, and evaluate actions.

#3. Communication

Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

National Standards: National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)

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English 425, English Program, & Concord University Goals/Learning Outcomes;

and NCTE Standards:

English 425:

African American

Poetry Goals /

Learning Outcomes

English Program

Goals / Learning

Outcomes

Concord University

Goals / Learning

Outcomes

2012 National

Council of Teachers

of English (NCTE)

Standards

1. Students will

demonstrate ability to

Draw defensible

inferences from

close reading of

selected poems by

African American

authors

Demonstrate

understanding of

interrelationships

among textual

elements within

and across these

texts.

Interpret these

texts within their

historical and

cultural contexts

Apply critical

thinking skills

(analysis,

synthesis,

evaluation) to these

texts

Recognize and

evaluate ethical or

moral values

implied in these

texts.

1. Students will


Draw defensible

inferences from

close reading of

texts

Demonstrate

understanding of

interrelationships

among textual

elements within

and across texts

Interpret texts

within their

historical and

cultural contexts

Apply critical

thinking skills

(analysis,

synthesis,

evaluation) to texts

Recognize and

evaluate ethical or

moral values

implied in texts.

#2 Critical Thinking:

Students will

demonstrate the ability

to access, analyze, and

interpret information,

respond and adapt to

changing situations,

make complex

decisions, solve

problems, and evaluate

actions.

2. Students will


Write critically in

response to

selected texts by

African American

poets, supporting

inferences by

citing and

interpreting

specific textual

evidence

2. Students will


Write critically,

supporting

inferences by

citing and

interpreting

specific textual

evidence

Demonstrate

writing proficiency

at a level of

#3: Communication:

Students will

demonstrate the ability

to communicate clearly

and effectively.

NCTE Content

Knowledge II.1:

Candidates can

compose a range of

formal and informal

texts taking into

consideration the

interrelationships

among form,

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English 425:

African American

Poetry Goals /

Learning Outcomes

English Program

Goals / Learning

Outcomes

Concord University

Goals / Learning

Outcomes

2012 National

Council of Teachers

of English (NCTE)

Standards

Demonstrate

writing proficiency

at a level of

“adequate” or

above, as defined

by the English

Program’s criteria

for evaluation of

essays in

Advanced Mini-

Courses.

“adequate” or

above, as defined

by the English

Program’s criteria

for evaluation of

essays

audience, context,

and purpose . . .

3. Students will


interpret selected

poems by African

American authors

within their historical

and cultural contexts.

3. English Program

degree candidates will

demonstrate their

ability to interpret

literary texts spanning

a wide range of

historical and cultural

contexts, through a

variety of critical

lenses.

#1.

Knowledge/Mastery of

Content

Students will

demonstrate a depth of

knowledge and apply

the methods of inquiry

in a discipline of their

choosing, and they will

demonstrate a breadth

of knowledge across

varied disciplines.

NCTE Content

Knowledge I.1:

Candidates are

knowledgeable about

texts [. . . including]

print and non-

print texts [and]

media texts

texts that

represent a range

of world

literatures [and]

historical

traditions

Course Requirements:

Reading Assignments:

Selected material from The Vintage Book of African American Poetry

Material available on Blackboard

Writing Assignments:

Double-Entry Responses / Reflections

2(+)-Fold Comparison Essay

3(+)-Fold Comparison Essay

Presentation:

Multimedia presentation of 3(+)-Fold Comparison

Class Participation, including:

o Sharing double-entry responses to texts in class

o Participating in class discussion

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Grading Policy and Scale, Make-up Policy, Late Work:

Grading Policy:

Double-Entry Responses and Reflections 20%

2(+)-Fold Comparison Essay 30%


Multimedia presentation of 3(+)-Fold Comparison 5%

Class participation 5%

100%

In order to earn a semester grade of “D” or better, you must fulfill all assignments. Whenever specified, fulfillment

of an assignment includes electronic submission to turnitin.com.

Grading Scale:

A = 90% - 100% / B = 80% - 89% / C = 70% - 79% / D = 60% - 69% / F = 0% - 59%

Make-up Policy:

Make-up assignments may differ in content, scope, type, and length from those fulfilled on

schedule.

The consequences of neglecting to make up an in-class assignment within two weeks will be

same as for late submission of an out-of-class assignment (see “Late Work”).

Late Work:

Assignments submitted after the due date will be subject to a grade penalty of -12% per week.

If an “IOU” for the assignment is submitted by the due date, the late penalty will be reduced to

-6% per week.

Course Timeline (Tentative Schedule of Assignments/Assessments/Presentations):

Key: VBAAP = The Vintage Book of African American Poetry

Week 1: Thursday, 8/22

Introduction to class


Discussion of:

o Phyllis Wheatley (1753-1784) VBAAP p. 13

“On Being Brought from Africa to America” (VBAAP p.14)

o James Monroe Whitfield (1822-1871) VBAAP p. 39

“Lines on the Death of John Quincy Adams” (VBAAP pp. 43-44)

o Frances E. W. Harper (1825-1911) VBAAP p. 45

“Bible Defence of Slavery” (VBAAP p.53)

“Learning to Read” (VBAAP pp. 55-56)

o Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906) VBAAP pp. 72-73

“We Wear the Mask” (VBAAP p. 76)

“Sympathy” (VBAAP pp. 76-77)

o Georgia Douglas Johnson (1880-1966) VBAAP p. 96

“The Heart of a Woman” (VBAAP p. 96)

o Claude McKay (1889-1948) VBAAP p. 99

“If We Must Die” (VBAAP pp. 99-100)

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“The White House” (VBAAP p. 100)

“Harlem Dancer” (VBAAP pp. 100-01)

“The Tropics in New York” (VBAAP p. 101)

Three (or more) double-entry responses due


Discussion of:

o Melvin B. Tolson (1898-1966)

“The Sea-Turtle and the Shark” (on Blackboard)

o Sterling A. Brown (1901-1989)

“Strong Men” (on Blackboard)

o Langston Hughes (1902-1967) VBAAP pp. 142-43

“Cross” (VBAAP p. 143)

“Dream Variations (VBAAP p.144)

“Frosting” (VBAAP p. 145)

“Mother to Son” (VBAAP pp. 148-89)

“Suicide’s Note” (VBAAP p. 150)

“The Negro Speaks of Rivers (VBAAP p. 150)

“Theme for English B” (VBAAP pp. 151-52)

“’Harlem” (on Blackboard)



Discussion of:

o Countee Cullen (1903-1946) VBAAP p. 153

“Yet I Do Marvel” (VBAAP p. 154)

“From the Dark Tower” (VBAAP p. 155)

“Four Epitaphs” (VBAAP pp. 156-61)

“Incident” (VBAAP p. 161)

“Simon the Cyrenian Speaks” (on Blackboard)

“For a Lady I Know” (on Blackboard)

o William Waring Cuney (1906-1976)

“No Images” (on Blackboard)

o Robert Hayden (1913-1980) VBAAP pp. 165-66

“Ice Storm” (VBAAP p. 166)

“Those Winter Sundays” (VBAAP p. 167)

“A Plague of Starlings” (VBAAP pp. 167-68)

“A Letter from Phyllis Wheatley” (on Blackboard)



Discussion of:

o Gwendolyn Brooks [1917-2000)

‘’We Real Cool” (VBAAP p. 185)

“The Mother” (VBAAP p 187-88)

o Naomi Long Madgett (1923- )

“Woman with Flower” (on Blackboard)

“Pbillis” (on Blackboard)

“Offspring” (on Blackboard)

o Murray Jackson (1926- )

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“Gifts” (on Blackboard)

“San Diego Goodbye--1944, Jacksaw Arena (on Blackboard)

o Etheridge Knight (1931-1991) VBAAP p. 223

“The Idea of Ancestry” (VBAAP pp. 225-26)

“Hard Rock Returns to Prison from the Hospital for the Criminal Insane” (on

Blackboard)

o Gerald Barrax Sr. (1933- )

”I Called Them Trees” (on Blackboard)



Discussion of:

o Audre Lorde (1934-1992)

“Now That I Am Forever with Child’ (on Blackboard)

o Lucille Clifton (1936-2010) VBAAP p. 244

“the lost baby poem” (VBAAP p. 245)

“why some people be mad at me sometime” (VBAAP p. 247)

“white lady” (VBAAP pp. 248-49)

“slaveship” (VBAAP p. 250

“mulberry fields” (on Blackboard)

“in the inner city” (on Blackboard)

o Michael S. Harper (1938- 2016)

“Called” (on Blackboard)

o Michael Warr (1941- )

“Brain on Ice: The El Train Poem” (on Blackboard)



2(+)-Fold Comparison Essay due


Discussion of:

o Toi Derricotte (1941- )

“Blackbottom”

o Nikki Giovanni (1943- )

“Legacies” (on Blackboard)

“Nikki-Rosa” (on Blackboard)

“Knoxville, Tennessee” (on Blackboard)

o Yusef Komunyakaa (1947- ) VBAAP pp. 325

“Facing It” (VBAAP pp.328-29)

“My Father’s Love Letters” (VBAAP pp. 331-32)

o Afaa Michael S. Weaver (1951- )

“Night Song for Missy” (on Blackboard)

“Washing the Car with My Father” (on Blackboard)

o Rita Dove (1952- ) VBAAP p. 345

“Weathering Out” (VBAAP pp. 350-51)

“The House Slave” (on Blackboard)

“Three Days a Forest, a River, Free” (on Blackboard)

“Daystar” (on Blackboard)


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Discussion of:

o Harryette Mullen (1953- )

“Sunday Afternoon, When Chores Are Done”

o Janice N. Harrington (1956- )

“What There Was” (on Blackboard)

o Sharon Strange (1959- )

“The Bicycle Wizard” (on Blackboard)

o Kwame Davis (1962- )

“Coffee Break”

“Ode to the Clothesline”

o Claudia Rankine (1963- )

“The Man, His Bowl, His Raspberries.” (on Blackboard)

o Natasha Trethewey (1966- )

“Carpenter Bee” (on Blackboard)

“Monument”’ (on Blackboard)

“Incident” (on Blackboard)



Discussion of:

o Gregory Pardlo (1968- )

“Double Dutch” (on Blackboard)

o Kevin Young (1970- )

“Crowning” (on Blackboard)

“Mission” (on Blackboard)

“Aunties” (on Blackboard)

“Eddie Priest’s Barbershop & Notary” (on Blackboard)

“Ode to the Hotel near the Children’s Hospital” (on Blackboard)

o Camille Dungy (1972- )

“What to Eat, and What to Drink, and What to Leave for Poison” (on Blackboard)

“Cleaning” (on Blackboard)

“To Put Things Right” (on Blackboard)

o Stephanie Pruitt (1979- )

“Mississippi Gardens” (on Blackboard)



Discussion of:

o Frank X Walker (1961- )

“Affrilachia” (on Blackboard)

“I Thought Slavery Was a Song” (on Blackboard)

“Monarchy” (on Blackboard)

o Crystal Wilkinson (1962- )

“O Tobacco” (on Blackboard)

o Crystal Good (1974- )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCHpg24Vilc

“Rand Poem” (on Blackboard)

“44” (on Blackboard)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCHpg24Vilc

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“Boom Boom” https://crystalgooddotnet.wordpress.com/

o A. H. Jerriod Avant (c.1986 - )

“Unusual Tightrope” (on Blackboard)

o Additional selections (TBA)



Multi-media presentations of 3(+)-Fold Comparisons





*** Week 15: Monday, 11/25– Friday, 11/29 ***

Thanksgiving Break


3(+)-Fold Comparison Essay due

*** Final Exam Week: 12/9-12/13 ***

Course portfolio, including overall Reflections due

Grading Policy and Scale, Make-up Policy, Late Work:

Grading Policy:

Double-Entry Responses and Reflections 20%



Multimedia presentation of 3(+)-Fold Comparison 5%

Class participation 5%

100%

Grading Scale: A = 90% - 100% / B = 80% - 89% / C = 70% - 79% / D = 60% - 69% / F = 0% - 59%

Make-up Policy:

Make-up assignments may differ in content, scope, type, and length from those taken on

schedule.

Neglecting to make up an in-class assignment within two weeks will be grounds for the same

penalty as for late submission of an out-of-class assignment (see “Late Work”).

Late Work:

Assignments submitted after the due date will be subject to a grade penalty of -12% per week.

If an “IOU” for the assignment is submitted by the due date, the late penalty will be reduced to -

6% per week.

https://crystalgooddotnet.wordpress.com/

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Accessibility/Accommodations

Concord University is committed to responding to the needs of students with disabilities as defined by

the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please inform your instructor at the beginning of the class

semester if you have a disability and are requesting accommodations. It is your responsibility to self-

disclose that you are requesting accommodations. The University and instructor will provide you with

a reasonable accommodation. You should register with CU’s Disability Services Office, located in the

Athens campus Jerry and Jean Beasley Student Center, Bottom Floor, across from the Campus Post

Office. The Disability Services Office phone is 304-384-6086 or you can email the Director, Nancy

Ellison, at [email protected] for assistance.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty is morally unacceptable as well as destructive to the learning and teaching

atmosphere. Academic dishonesty includes the giving or receiving of improper help on examinations

or assignments, falsifying documents, and plagiarism (the act of stealing and using, as one’s own, the

ideas or the expression of the ideas of another). Such dishonesty can lead to a variety of penalties —

including but not limited to failure of assignment, failure of course, loss of institutional privileges, or

dismissal from the University. (See University Catalog Academic Policies and Procedures at

http://catalog.concord.edu/content.php?catoid=10&navoid=582#Academic_Dishonesty.)

Concord University Honor Code

A Concord University Honor Code was approved by students, staff, faculty, administration, and the CU

Board of Governors. The Code states: "As a member of the Concord University Community I will act

with honesty and integrity in accordance with our fundamental principles and I will respect myself and

others while challenging them to do the same." The Honor Code is intended to unite the Concord

community behind a culture of honesty, integrity, and civility.

Class Attendance Policy

Regular class attendance is part of a student’s academic obligation at Concord. Irregular attendance

may affect academic performance adversely and is detrimental to the atmosphere of a class. (See

University Catalog Academic Policies and Procedures at

http://catalog.concord.edu/content.php?catoid=10&navoid=582#Class_Attendance.)

Penalties for irregular attendance:

More than two (2) absences before Thursday, November 7, will be grounds for

administrative withdrawal from the course. More than two (2) absences by the end of

the semester will be grounds for a semester grade of F.

More than three (3) instances of “partial absence” (arriving late or leaving early) will be

grounds for the same penalty as for one whole-class absence.

“Erasure” of Excessive Absences:

If the reasons for absences are promptly explained by email, up to two excessive absences can be

“erased” by completing additional graded assignments. Information about these additional assignments

will be available upon emailed request.

mailto:[email protected]

http://catalog.concord.edu/content.php?catoid=10&navoid=582#Academic_Dishonesty

http://catalog.concord.edu/content.php?catoid=10&navoid=582#Class_Attendance

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Emergency Alert System

In an effort to increase safety and security on our campus, Concord University encourages everyone to

register for instant text message alerts. Alerts will only be used for security and safety notices. All

students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive text message alerts on their cell phones or email alerts.

Please go to https://concord.omnilert.net/subscriber.php to enroll in the Omnilert System or contact

the IT Help Desk for further assistance (304-384-5291).

Emergency Contact Information

Emergency/courtesy telephones are located at the main entrance of each residence hall and at various

other locations on campus. Emergency telephones can be identified by the flashing blue light and will

provide the user with a direct link to Public Safety at the press of a button. To report an on-campus

emergency, call 304-384-5357 or 911. The Office of Public Safety is located on the bottom floor of the

Rahall Technology Center. For further emergency information go to https://www.concord.edu/Student-

Life/Office-of-Public-Safety/Alert-Systems.aspx

Inclement Weather Policy

As a general policy, the University will remain in normal operations during adverse weather conditions.

In the event of severe weather conditions, the following may occur:

University Closure

No students or employees are to report.

Classes Cancelled

Students do NOT report BUT designated employees are expected to report to work at their normal time.

Operating on an Inclement Weather Delay

Under this schedule, all 8 a.m. classes will start at 10 a.m. Students and faculty will follow the

Inclement Weather Schedule. (See https://www.concord.edu/Student-Life/Office-of-Public-

Safety/Inclement-Weather-Schedule.aspx for Athens/Beckley Inclement Weather Schedules.)

*Announcements invoking the late schedule or other options referenced above are aired on area radio

and television stations and are sent as text and email messages to those enrolled for these services. To

enroll in the Omnilert System, go to https://concord.omnilert.net/subscriber.php, or contact the

Technology Services Help Desk at (304) 384-5291.

Student Conduct

In classrooms, online, laboratories, and during any activities that are part of course requirements,

students are expected to observe reasonable rules of conduct.

Mental Health Resources

Concord University recognizes that being a student can be stressful at times for a number of reasons

some of which may be related to the challenge of balancing your role as a student with other facets in

your life. There are a number of resources to help you cope if you find that you are overwhelmed. The

first is the CU Counseling Center which is located on the third floor of the Jerry and Jean Beasley

Student Center on the Athens Campus. The center is staffed by a licensed mental health professional,

graduate students, and student employees. Appointments are available Mon-Fri from 9:00 AM – 4:00

PM. Appointments at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center in Beckley may be made by

arrangement. Students may call the counseling center at 304-384-5290 or make their own appointment

through the electronic scheduling system which may be found on Counseling Center section of the

Student Services tab on CU’s main page. Counseling services are free of charge. Other resources

available are Student Support Services and the Center for Academic and Career Development on the

Athens campus.

https://concord.omnilert.net/subscriber.php

https://www.concord.edu/Student-Life/Office-of-Public-Safety/Alert-Systems.aspx

https://www.concord.edu/Student-Life/Office-of-Public-Safety/Alert-Systems.aspx

https://www.concord.edu/Student-Life/Office-of-Public-Safety/Inclement-Weather-Schedule.aspx

https://www.concord.edu/Student-Life/Office-of-Public-Safety/Inclement-Weather-Schedule.aspx

https://concord.omnilert.net/subscriber.php

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Concord University Medical Center

The CU Medical Center, located on the main floor of Wooddell Hall, is staffed by Physician Assistant

Ruth Rhodes and Registered Nurse Jennifer Stull.

Beginning September 1, the CU Medical Center will be open at the following times whenever classes

are in session:

Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Friday, 8:30 a.m. – noon.

The center will begin taking walk-ins and scheduling appointments on Sept. 1.

To schedule an appointment, call (304) 384-6355.

If you have medical insurance, bring your insurance card whenever you visit the CU Medical Center.

Sexual Harassment & Assault

Federal law, Title IX, and Concord University policy prohibits discrimination, harassment, and violence

based on sex and gender (Including sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic/dating violence,

stalking, sexual exploitation, and retaliation). If you or someone you know has been harassed or

assaulted, you can receive confidential counseling support through the Concord University Counseling

Center (304-384-5290). Alleged Violations can be reported non-confidentially to the Concord

University Title IX Coordinator at 304-384-6327 or https://www.concord.edu/Student-Life/Title-

IX.aspx. Reports to Campus Security can be made at (304-384-5357). As an employee at Concord

University, I am a mandatory reporter which means I must report any sexual misconduct I am made

aware of. This includes verbal or written (such as in an assignment) disclosures of sexual harassment or

sexual assault.

Technology Services

Contact the CU Help Desk at (304) 384-5291. You can find additional information at

https://www.concord.edu/About/Important-Offices-Centers/Technology-Services/Help-Desk-

Support.aspx.

Miscellaneous

Sources of Academic Help:

The Center for Academic and Career Development is ready to assist any student with academic or

personal concerns, tutoring, study skills, time management, major and career exploration, and much

more.

The Center for Academic and Career Development is currently located in Suite 243 (Atrium) of

the Rahall Technology Center. (A heads-up: The CACD will soon be moving to Subway Sides

in the Student Center. This move will be publicized in advance. Following the move, signs

announcing the new location will be posted at the previous location.)

Students are welcome to stop by the CACD Monday through Friday, 8:00 am until 4:00 or by

appointment.

The CACD can be reached by phone (304) 384-6074 or (304) 384-6298, or by

email:[email protected].

Website: http://www.concord.edu/Student-Life/CACD.aspx.

SmartThinking—online, and on-demand tutoring—is available on Blackboard at elearn.concord.edu.

https://www.concord.edu/Student-Life/Title-IX.aspx

https://www.concord.edu/Student-Life/Title-IX.aspx

https://www.concord.edu/About/Important-Offices-Centers/Technology-Services/Help-Desk-Support.aspx

https://www.concord.edu/About/Important-Offices-Centers/Technology-Services/Help-Desk-Support.aspx

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.concord.edu/Student-Life/CACD.aspx

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Related Research/Professional Organizations:

MLA (Modern Language Association)

NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English)

Syllabus Disclaimer

This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the class. Please check your email

regularly for updates.

CRN #: 10575 Section: 01 Credit Hours: 1 Office Location ... › schedules › syllabi › 202001...

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