Unit II - Get Up Stand Up

We began this "Get Up Stand Up" unit by reading two iconic Black men: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.  We discussed them as political activists as well as humans.  Some of you have watched Selma.  All of you have watched Freedom Riders and Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution.  You have been introduced to tenets of critical race theory as well as Toni Morrison's "the autobiography as the origins of literature for black folks." This week marks the 5th anniversary of Trayvon Martin's death.  So, I believe this unit's theme continues resonating today.  As such, I ask: in what ways were you impressed by how any one of these individuals got up and stood up, and how do you plan to continue getting up and standing up?  (Please remember to follow the blog rubric found on your syllabus.)

Due: Wed., 3/1/17 by the beginning of class.

Spring 2017 - Unit I/Blog I

    

 

(Do you recognize some of these images?)



We're off to an impressive start!  As we examine the origins of the Hollywood film industry, we've read, observed, and identified quite a bit!  Let's continue the dialogue!!  I'd like you to answer the following:

• How were Black lives deemed unimportant by the Hollywood film industry? 
• How has this tenet been deconstructed as well as reconstructed today?

This is due by Fri., 2/3/17 by the beginning of class.  Please remember to consult the blog rubric found on your course syllabus.  I look forward to some thought provoking discourse! 😊

Unit IV - Reflection

Finally, we've gotten to the end of the semester!  It has been a pleasure.  We've enjoyed some lively conversations as well as watched some films that generated a lot of thought and reflection.  While some of you inadvertently may have already done this, I'd like you to comment nonetheless.  Please reflect on this class and provide me with your thoughts, ideas of new material (which I've already gotten and written down a lot for future classes), and suggestions for this course.  Also, if you have any advice for future English 318 students, what would you suggest?  Please complete this by Wed., 11/30 before class begins.

Blog Rubric

Rating	Characteristics
4	Exceptional. The entry is focused and coherently integrates examples with explanations or analysis. The entry demonstrates awareness of its own limitations or implications, and it considers multiple perspectives when appropriate. The entry reflects in-depth engagement with the topic. Multimedia (video, graphic, chart, audio, etc.) use significantly enhances blog presentation
3	Satisfactory. The entry is reasonably focused, and explanations or analysis are mostly based on examples or other evidence. Fewer connections are made between ideas, and though new insights are offered, they are not fully developed. The entry reflects moderate engagement with the topic. Multimedia use moderately enhanced blog presentation
2	Underdeveloped. The entry is mostly description or summary, without consideration of alternative perspectives, and few connections are made between ideas. The entry reflects passing engagement with the topic. Multimedia use is limited in the blog entry.
1	Limited. The entry is unfocused, or simply rehashes previous comments, and displays no evidence of student engagement with the topic. Little to no multimedia use is implemented.
0	No Credit. The entry is missing or consists of one or two disconnected sentences. No multimedia use is implemented.

Unit III - The Black Body Under Attack

Today, black men and women are being profiled unnecessarily.  Unfortunately, we live in a society where innocence until proven guilty remains elusive.  To continue probing this phenomenon, we've watched some informative and discomforting reels which situate violence against black bodies at the center of our dialogue.  Which one stood out to you the most?  Further, as a country founded on the ideals of racism, can the U.S. ever matriculate beyond its racist foundations?  Will black bodies ever be valued?

Due: Mon., 11/7/16 at the beginning of class.

Unit II - Interpretations of the Black Family

We've discussed perceptions of the black family during this unit.  Our readings have included political perceptions as well as social ones.  The black family's reality is non-normative primarily because of chattel slavery.  Some families never regained their "brokenness" from the displacement of loved ones.  Fortunately, the black family's resilience is evident because we are dialoguing about this today.  And, while we recognize many positive images of the black family on television today like: Queen Sugar and Black-ish, the derogatory perceptions still remain.  And, black communities remain forced to be compared to the white paradigm of what is considered "family."  I mentioned these television shows because they are atypical.  They include non-traditional family members like grandfathers, aunts and others.  Some siblings are "half" siblings with different mothers and one father.  So, I ask you how do images of today's black family compare with your own? 

Due: Fri., 10/7/16 by the beginning of class.