American Identity in the World
Spring Quarter, 2001
TTh 9:30-10:50
Dr. Katherine Borland
F2018
366-9268
Course Description:
This is an intensive writing course that focuses on outsiders' views of America and Americans as well as on American conceptions of self and others. By examining key texts from the moment of discovery to our contemporary context, we will test our understanding of American Identity in the World. We will attempt to look at America through foreign eyes as a way to perceive the constructed nature of our own stories about ourselves and others. Class will focus on close reading and discussion of our key texts. We will also pay considerable attention to matters of style and argumentation in our weekly writing assignments.
Texts:
Course Packet
Style by Williams
Castaway by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville
Reading National Geographic by Lutz and Collins
Requirements:
Attendance: 100 points
Students are expected to attend every class. 5 points will be subtracted for every unexcused absence. Excused absences require prior notification and a doctor's note [one point will be subtracted for an excused absence].
Reading Responses: 400 points
Students will write eight weekly responses to the readings in short [2-3 page typed] essays. These responses will form the basis for longer expository essays [see below]. No late work will be accepted.
Expository Essays: 500 points
Students will write two extended expository essays on subjects taken from their reading responses. Each essay will require a draft and final version for full credit. First essay due 6th week [draft due 4th week]; Second essay due Finals week [draft due ninth week]. No late work accepted.
Please note: All work must be completed for a passing grade in the course.
Accomodations will be made for proven need. Please see
me immediately to discuss the nature of your difficulties.
Plagiarism is a serious academic violation and will result
someone else, please ask.
Class Schedule
Week One
3/27 Introduction to the course. Learning contract.
"Nacerima" course packet
"US Race Relations as a Caste System" course packet
Read: Castaway
3/29 Discussion: The Discovery of America
Read: Castaway
Week Two
4/3 Castaway Responses Due
Discussion: Castaway responses
Read: Democracy in America, Part I, Chapters 1-3
4/5 Discussion: Final Discussion Castaway
Read: Democracy in America, Chapters 4-7
Week Three
4/10 Democracy in America I Responses Due
Discussion: Democracy in America Responses
Read: Democracy in America, Chapter 8
4/12: Discussion: The importance of Federalism
Read: Democracy in America, Part II, Chapters 1-5
Week Four
4/17: Democracy in America II Responses Due
Discussion: Responses--comparison to present day
Developing a position paper
Read: Democracy in America, Chapters 6-8
4/19: First draft of expository essay due
Discussion: American political morality
Read: Democracy in America, Chapters 9, 10
Week Five
4/24: Individual Writing Conferences: Classes Cancelled
Response Paper to Democracy in America Due
Read: Selections from Volume 2, Part 1
Week Six
5/1: Discussion: American Intellect
Revised expository essay Due
Read: Selections from Volume 2, Part 2
5/3: Discussion: American Sentiments
Read: Selections from Volume 2, Part 3
Week Seven
5/8: Response Paper Democracy in America, Volume 2 Due
Discussion: Response Papers
On reading poetry
Read, Whitman, "Song of Myself" [course packet]
5/10: Discussion: Walt Whitman's American Poetics
Read: Dario, Marti, Guillen, Cardenal, Cesaire [course packet]
Week Eight
5/15: Response Paper to Latin America Poetry due
Discussion: Responses to poetry
Read: Garcia Marquez and Arturo Arias [course packet]
5/17: Discussion the North American in Latin American Fiction
Read: Reading National Geographic
Week Nine
5/22: Reading National Geographic Responses Due
Discussion: Reading National Geographic
Read: Reading National Geographic
5/24: Discussion: The "Other" of Photographs.
Second Draft Expository Essay Due
Week Ten
Classes cancelled for Individual writing conference
Response paper to Reading National Geographic Due
Week Eleven
Final Expository Essay Due