Click here to go to the syllabus and course materials for English 320L, 01
Click here to go to the syllabus and course materials for English 320L, 02
English 320L, 01 Dr. Loretta G. Woodard
Sel. Wtrs.: Works of Lucille Clifton Office: MC 225
Winter Term 2000 Voice Mail: (313) 927-1452
2 Credits Office Hours: M 12:00-1:00
MC 227 (Saturdays 10:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m.) TR 12:00-1:00, and by
January 22, 29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 4, appointment (Saturdays
18, 25; April 1, and Friday, April 14 before or after class)
10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon E-mail: lwoodard@marygrove.edu
Course Description: English 320 provides an in-depth study of major authors, periods, or topics as chosen by the instructor.
Course Objectives:
To introduce students to a writer whose works are little known to them
To develop an understanding of and an appreciation for the author’s works through class discussions and written assignments
To utilize different methods of critical analysis for a broader understanding of the author’s works
To assess the author’s works within the context of other American and African-American poets or writers
To locate other web sites or links to Lucille Clifton
To prepare for an engaging seminar with the writer at the end of the course
Course Requirements/Policies:
Students must purchase the four (4) texts and read assigned readings prior to class.
Participation in class discussions is an absolute must.
Students must review all materials provided for the course on reserve in the library and Marygrove’s Web site at www.marygrove.edu (See Contemporary American Authors Lecture Series Home Page and Lucille Clifton’s Home Page).
Attendance at all class sessions is essential in order to fully comprehend the material and fulfill the purpose of the course. Should a student miss a class period, s/he will still be held responsible for the material covered. Missed handouts may be picked up in my office. Missed lecture/discussion material must be obtained from another student. (More than (3) class sessions missed will reduce the final grade by one half grade.) Students must also attend the Friday workshop on April 14 with Clifton.
Assignments must be typed and submitted on time. All late papers will be reduced by one grade (10 points).
Students will take four (4) quizzes on the dates scheduled.
Students will submit a final paper inspired by Clifton’s work for the Writing Award (TBA).
Students must use the proper documentation for the final paper. If you have any questions about how to properly document a source in a paper, please ask; I will be more than willing to assist you. Or, you may seek assistance in the Writing Center (LA 024).
In cases of academic dishonesty (plagiarism and/or cheating), a grade of 0/E will be assigned to the specific paper and the College policy for such misconduct will be followed. Such misconduct may result in academic probation for one term, suspension for one term, or dismissal from the College.
All assignments will be graded on a scale of 100 as follows:
93-100 = A 83-86 = B 73-76 = C 63-66 = D
90-92 = A- 80-82 = B- 70-72 = C- 60-62 = D-
87-89 = B+ 77-79 = C+ 67-69 = D+ 0-59 = E
NR = No record of attendance
X = 0.0 Attends portion of class and officially withdraws
Y = Given in certain designated courses for work continued beyond semester
The final evaluation of the student’s grade will be based on the following:
4 Reading Quizzes------------------------------------20%
1 Paper--------------------------------------------------40%
Oral Participation------------------------------------- 20%
Seminar Participation---------------------------------10%
Class Attendance-------------------------------------- 10%
Required Texts:
Clifton, Lucille. Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir 1969-1980. Rochester, New York:
BOA Editions, Ltd., 1987.
---. Quilting Poems 1987-1990. Rochester, New York: BOA Editions, Ltd., 1991.
---. The Book of Light. Port Townsend, Washington: Copper Canyon Press, 1993.
---. The Terrible Stories. Brockport, New York: BOA Editions, Ltd., 1996.
Recommended Materials (some are optional):
One 3.5" diskette for use with the MAC-SE computer (or other) for final paper
Computers, web addresses for Marygrove and the Clifton Home Page
A reliable dictionary (such as American Heritage or Webster’s Collegiate)
A folder with pockets for class handouts
A notebook to take notes in class
Tentative Schedule for English 320L
(January 22) Note: Since poems are short, most of them will be assigned to read.
Self-introductions; review of syllabus, assignments, and quizzes; overview of Clifton’s life (see the Clifton home page);
Read why Clifton writes (see Clifton’s 1984 essay, "A Simple Language," in Black Women Writers (1950-1980): A Critical Evaluation, edited by Mari Evans, pp. 137-38;
Place Clifton within the context of other African-American and American poets and writers;
Read from the first volume of poetry, Good Times in Good Woman pp. 15-51; Observe Clifton’s portrayal of men and women; her style, language, etc.
(January 29)
Read and discuss Good News About the Earth pp. 57-106; and An Ordinary Woman pp. 111-158; Two-headed Woman, pp. 165-221;
Compare and contrast poems in all volumes;
Address Clifton’s central themes; her political conscience, her role as a cultural poet, images and other specifics.
(February 5)
Quiz I on poems in Good Woman;
Read Generations: A Memoir pp. 227-265.
Determine the celebratory nature of the work.
Provide a title for your own memoir and decide on what it would include.
(February 12)
Read from Quilting Poems 1987-1990, pp. 3-85
Discuss the process of quilting and its importance, especially in African-American
culture.
Examine how Clifton’s book continues her "meditations on history, loss, [and] tragedy."
Read Alice Walker’s "Everyday Use."
(February 19)
Quiz II on Quilting Poems;
Discuss the nature of student essays for the writing contest;
Generate ideas for the paper.
(February 26)
Read and discuss The Book of Light, pp. 1-69.
Examine how Clifton’s book transforms her "vision" into poetic song.
Continue discussion on ideas for student essays.
(March 4)
Quiz III on The Book of Light
Finalize topics and write the paper.
----------------------------------SPRING BREAK—MARCH 6-10----------------------------------
(March 18)
Read The Terrible Stories, pp. 1-69. Focus on cancer poems, among others.
Compare and contrast how other authors approach the subject of cancer.
Read from Audre Lorde’s The Cancer Journals (pp. 9, 16, 61, 74, 75).
(March 25)
Quiz IV on The Terrible Stories.
Assess all of Clifton’s volumes of poetry.
Read the book reviews on reserve in the library.
(April 1)
Prepare questions for Clifton Workshop on Friday, April 14.
Finalize the list of additional Clifton web sites and links discovered.
(TBA) 12:00 noon
Essay Due for Writing Contest.
(April 14)
Required workshop/seminar with Clifton, Friday 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
*All registered students must submit an entry to the writing contest (TBA), submit a final copy to me, and attend events as scheduled, April 14.
English 320L-02
Selected Writers: The Works of Lucille Clifton
Tuesday 1:00-2:50 2 Credits
Ollie Mitchell
Office: La 021
313-927-1278
Course Description:
English 320 provides an in-depth study of a major author, period, or topic as chosen by the instructor.
Course Outline:
Students will complete four reading quizzes, one paper, and a final exam. In addition, students will read and respond to designated assignments.
Course Objectives:
To present a body of works by one poet and provide the opportunity for in-depth analyses of these works.
To present ways of approaching the works.
To provide the opportunity for written response to the works and the ideas presented in class.
To provide students the opportunity to dialogue with the writer in an on-site seminar.
Course Requirements:
English 320 requires students to:
read all material before the class period for which it is assigned;
participate in class discussions;
complete and submit the assignments on the scheduled due dates;
adhere to manuscript form for all essays.
Assignments:
There is one mid-term paper, tentatively scheduled for February 29; four reading quizzes, scheduled for January 25, February 8 & 22, and March 14. The final exam will be given on March 28.
Grading:
The paper and exam will each count for 30%. The quizzes will count for 10%, and attendance and participation will count for 30%.
Policies:
You are responsible for completing all of the work for the course on time. Assignments are due on the day I designate. If for some very good reason you know that you cannot meet a deadline, speak with me before the deadline to arrange an extension. Otherwise, I reserve the right to either refuse the assignment or to reduce the grade.
Attendance is a must. In order to fully understand and complete assignments, you must be present and on time. If you miss more than three classes, you will not pass the course. If you are more than 30 minutes late, you will be marked absent for the day.
Material that is missed cannot be repeated in class, nor will it be covered in a private conference. You are responsible for the material you miss.
In case of academic dishonesty (plagiarism and cheating), I will give a grade of E to the specific assignment and follow the Marygrove College policy (attached) for such conduct. Such infractions may result in academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from the college.
All essays should be typed and double-spaced. All work should be clean, neat, and stapled together. Please do not submit work in plastic folders. I will not accept work that is written on both sides of the paper.
Texts:
Clifton, Lucille. Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir 1969-1980. Rochester, New York: BOA
Editions, Ltd., 1987.
---. Quilting: Poems 1987-1990. Rochester, New York: BOA Editions, Ltd., 1991.
---. The Book of Light. Port Townsend, Washington: Copper Canyon Press, 1993.
---. The Terrible Stories. Brockport, New York: BOA Editions, Ltd., 1996.
