American Racial and Multicultural Studies 121 -- "Introduction to ARMS"

Fall 2005 Joan E. Hepburn
Phone x 3449
E-mail: hepburn,
if you wish to reach the whole class, send it to "arms-121"
Office: L418
Hours M 2-3:30, W, 2-3:30pm

Description:
An interdisciplinary survey of the histories, cultures, and literature of Native, African, Latino, Asian, and Jewish American groups. The course is designed to increase awareness of diverisity in the U. S., especially with changing demographics. In additon to literature and history, students examine films.

Textbooks:
Anaya, R. Bless Me, Ultima
Darby, Jaye T. and Stephanie Fitzgerald, Keepers of the Morning Star
Hurston, Z. Their Eyes Were Watching God
Marshall, P. Brown Girl, Brownstones
Moua, M. Bamboo Among the Oaks
Shapiro. G., ed. American Jewish Fiction
Takaki, R. Different Mirror

Schedule:

8 September Course Introduction
13-15 September World Expansion and the Origins of American Society
(Takaki 1-76),
"Song Catcher" in Keepers of the Morning Star.
20-22 September National Expansion and American Racial Diversity
(Takaki 79-138)
Molly Has Her Say in Keepers...
27-29 September Ethnicity and Class in White America
(Takaki 139-221, 225-266), also view The Color of Fear
4-6 October Class discussion of film, (Takaki 266-310)
and Brown Girl...Books 1 and 2
11-13 October Black Migrations, (Takaki 340-369)
Brown Girl, Book 3 and 4
15-18 October Fall Break!
20 October Black Horizons (Takaki 373-429)
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Sign up for groups and final presentation
View Zoot Suit
25-27 October Latino Migration (Takaki 310-349)
Bless Me, Ultima (ch. 1-5)
(Begin planning group roles and tasks)
1-3 November Due: Individual one-page response papers on
the film Zoot Suit, and continue reading Bless Me...(6-10)
8-10 November Bless Me, Ultima (ch. 10-15)
15-17 November Bless Me, Ultima (ch. 15-end)
22 November Jewish Immigration (373-428)
Begin group-led reading for American Jewish Fiction:
Cahan, "A Getto Wedding"
Yezierska, "How I Found America"
Olsen, "Tell Me a Riddle"
Sterm, "The Tale of a Kite"
23-27 November Thanksgiving Break!
29 November Short paper due
continue group-led readings from Jewish Immigration with Irish, Italian (handouts),
Swados, "Fawn with a Bit of Green"
DiDonata, "Christ in Concrete"
H.W. view Joy Luck Club
1 December Continue group-led readings of Asian literature:
Moua, selections from Bamboo Among the Oaks:
"Being Hmong is not Enough," "A Good Hmong Woman,"
"The Voice," "D.C." and discuss Joy Luck Club
6-8 December Student group presentations begin with individual roles clearly indicated.
13 December Student group presentation continue
Last Day of Classes!

Final Examination: Tuesday, December 20, 9-11 a.m. Be there to continue group presentations.

Evaluations:
Your grades will be based on the following:

Individual response paper 15%
Group interpretations of literature 15%
Short paper 25%
Final group presentation 30%
Class participation and attendance 15%

Written work must typed and double-spaced. Please leave one-inch margins on the sides and place you name, class, assignment, date, and the title of your project on a top or first page. Kindly enlarge the font to 14 point.

Note: Do not decide separate sites and times for the submission of your work, but turn materials in during class at the required times. As I have had some confusion and many computer difficulties, I will not accept late submissions or assignments sent by email or stashed elseware.