Major Black Writers
African American Studies 264/English 264
Online Course, Summer 2012 June 21, 2012 through August 2, 2012
SYLLABUS
Instructor may make minor changes to syllabus schedule, readings, and assignments for pedagogical purposes at any point in the semester.
Primary Instructor: Ms. Julie Naviaux
Email: Julie.naviaux@uky.edu Office Phone: 859-257-6993 Course Supervisor: Dr. Vershawn Ashanti Young
Email: vershawn.young@uky.edu Office Phone: 859-257-1271
Office Hours: Ms. Julie Naviaux is the primary instructor and contact for the course. The fastest way to contact the instructor is through email. Students will receive a response within 24 hours. For telephone or SKYPE appointments, please e-mail the instructor to set up a meeting time. Days and times can be arranged to accommodate both the instructor’s and student’s schedules if a student chooses to video chat or telephone the instructor. The instructor will also provide class-wide mandatory synchronous video/audio chat sessions via ConnectPro.
Course Description: In this course, students will take an aesthetic, cultural, historical, and personal approach to the study of major Black authors, both in the United States and in the African Diaspora, as those authors are represented in the Norton Anthology of African American Literature. Students will read, discuss, analyze, perform, and write about literary works by well-known Black authors of various genres, such as poetry, plays, raps, novels, music
lyrics, the blues, short stories, autobiographies, and essays.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following assignments have specific due dates and times found on the Reading Schedule:
⇒ Facilitator Essay ⇒ Facilitator Speech
⇒ 12 Discussion Board Postings
⇒ Final Exam
Course Goals and Objectives:
Develop a personal appreciation for the rich legacy of African American literature Identify aesthetic approaches and techniques of individual authors
Participate in intellectual conversations and debates about African American literature Perform interpretations of African American literature in speeches and essays
Recognize and distinguish among major writers within the African American literary tradition
Understand the cultural, social, political, and historical contexts within which authors write
Course Access/Class Time and Location: For the most part, this is an asynchronous online course. There are two required whole class meetings:
⇒ June 21 at 10am or 9pm ⇒ July 11 at 10am or 9pm
Both meetings will be conducted via Adobe ConnectPro at http://connect.uky.edu/eng264
website address. The course is conducted online via Blackboard. To access the course visit
http://elearning.uky.edu and login to Blackboard with your LINK BLUE username and password. Again, the primary contact for the Summer 2012 online course is Ms. Naviaux. All times listed on the Course Syllabus and Blackboard are Eastern Standard Time.
Required Texts and Materials:
The Norton Anthology of African American Literature 2nd Ed. ISBN 978-0-393-97778-3
(students will need the CD that comes with the book) Additional readings available through Blackboard or online Access to a computer and internet throughout the entire course
Optional for group meetings and video chat meetings with the instructor: internet webcam, microphone, and headset with a mic capable of using Adobe Connect Pro. (Go to the following link for a good, inexpensive headset:
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Premium-Headset-Noise-Canceling-Miscrophone/dp/B0007N33IQ) Note: USB mics tend to perform better than “Mini-Stereo plug mini-din” connectors. The Headset needs a mic in order for the student’s audio communications. A mute and volume control are handy.
Minimum Technology Requirements: Complete the following steps to make sure the computer is correctly configured and the necessary software is installed.
Note: Students will not be able to access course material if they fail to complete these steps. 1. Go to this site to check the minimum hardware, software and browser
requirements:http://wiki.uky.edu/blackboard/Wiki%20Pages/Bb9%20Hardware%20and
%20Software%20Requirements.aspx
2. Internet Explorer is NOT recommended for Blackboard. Firefox is the recommended Internet browser for the course. Go to https://download.uky.edu/ to download a free version of Firefox. Log in with your LINK BLUE id and password and search for Firefox. 3. Go to http://java.com and click on the Free Java Download button. Run the installer to get the latest version.
4. Students will also need Flash, Adobe Acrobat Reader and QuickTime movie player. Go to http://wiki.uky.edu/blackboard/Wiki%20Pages/Browser%20Check.aspx then click BbGO! If you do not have these installed, you can download them from this site. 5. To download Windows Media Player, click this link:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/10/default.aspx
6. Students and faculty can download Microsoft Office Suite (including Word and PowerPoint) from this site: https://download.uky.edu/.
If students experience technical difficulties, contact the Customer Service Center at 859-218-HELP (4357) or by e-mail at helpdesk@uky.edu. Please also inform the instructor when having technical difficulties. It is the student’s responsibility to resolve technical problems and to notify the instructor.
Blackboard 101 for First-Time Online Students: This is a brief introduction for students using Blackboard for the first time.
● Go to http://elearning.uky.edu and log in with your Link Blue ID.
● Click on the Courses link near the top left of the page (to the right of My Bb and under the Library tab).
● In the Course Search line, type Bb9-101 (exactly as you see it there, including the hyphen).
● Find the Course ID (first column) Bb9-101-OnLine-Stu, and click the down arrow next to the Course ID. Click Enroll then Submit.
Grading and Assignments: 5% Practice Quizzes
30% Discussion Board Postings 20% Facilitator Speech
20% Facilitator Essay
(Midterm— optional and for practice. 5% of grade added to score on Final Exam) 25% Final Exam
Letter Grades: A 90%-100% B 80%-89%, C 70%-79%, D 60%-69%, E below 59% (Students can review scores by going to MY GRADES in Blackboard. Grades will be updated before the beginning of each section of the course.)
Quizzes: Students will be responsible for completing online reading comprehension
quizzes that do not cover all of the readings but are based on specific major authors (called “Reading Quiz” on the calendar and reading schedule). Students will also be responsible for completing additional quizzes covering lecture material available on Blackboard. Both types of quizzes are practice quizzes that are designed to help students prepare for the Final Exam. Students will get full credit for completing the quizzes, regardless of actual score. Students may also find these quizzes on the Study Space for the Norton Anthology of African American
Literature. All quizzes are available at the beginning of the course, and each quiz closes at 11pm on the last day of the unit. Note: (1) In order to receive credit, the quizzes must be taken on Blackboard; (2) Students should read the selections on which the quizzes are based very carefully in advance; (3) Quizzes must be completed during the allotted time and by the due date and time in order to receive credit (please see the schedule for due dates and times of each quiz); (4) Quizzes are placed on the syllabus according to the literary period they cover. They will be available on Blackboard ahead of time. Many, but not all, of the quizzes can be accessed and practiced via the Study Space for the Norton Anthology of African American Literature. Students must still take the quiz on Blackboard by the scheduled time to receive credit. During the quizzes, students should make sure to take notes about types of questions, authors, texts covered, and difficult questions. (Remember, the quiz questions help practice for the optional practice Midterm and for the Final Exam.)
Group Work: Students will be divided into groups of approximately 6-7 students at the beginning of the course. (See “Group Work” under Course Policies.) Students will be
responsible for having contact with their group members and completing assignments. The instructor will randomly assign groups.
Discussion Postings: During the course, students will discuss course readings within their small groups. Twice during the course, each student (called the “Facilitator”) will be responsible for beginning a discussion based on the “Discussion Prompt” available on Blackboard. The
beginning discussion thread on Blackboard should provide an insightful, thoughtful analysis of that section’s readings. (Dates will be assigned to each student by the instructor.) Facilitators’ initial discussion threads must be posted to Blackboard by 9am EST on the due date to receive credit. Discussion response posts must be posted to Blackboard by 11pm EST on the due date to receive credit.
Each student is responsible for submitting two responses for every unit. (See the Reading Schedule/Calendar). Responses should include both the students’ own analysis of the
discussion questions as well as respond to the Facilitator’s thread AND two response threads already posted. (For example, if a student is the fourth to respond in his group, he needs to make sure to respond to two of the three responses already posted. If a student is the first to
respond to the Facilitator, she is only required to include responses to the Facilitator’s initial post.) Each response must be a minimum of 300 words and must be posted to Blackboard by 11pm EST on the due date to receive credit. Please see the Group Discussion and Facilitation Instructions assignment sheet for the discussion posts grading rubric and more detailed information.
Students are strongly encouraged to read ALL of their groups’ discussion board posts during the course in order to best understand the material.
Facilitator: In addition to responding to the assigned readings and discussion questions within their small groups, each student will have opportunities to serve as the Facilitator for two sets of readings. The Facilitator will be responsible for posting the first discussion response and will facilitate that discussion by reading the various posts and prompting further discussion on important issues and key themes.
Following the discussion postings, that Facilitator will also be responsible for providing an insightful, thoughtful analysis/summary of the readings and the discussion provided by the group. Each student is responsible for the Facilitator role twice during the course, once creating an essay and once creating a speech (See assignment sheet: Facilitator Discussions and
Responses.) For each assigned reading, the Facilitator will be assigned by the instructor. Please see the Group Discussion and Facilitation Instructions assignment sheet for the Facilitator Essay and Facilitator Speech grading rubric and more detailed information.
Facilitator Essay After the due date for the group discussion postings, the student assigned the Facilitator Essay will write a 6 page (minimum) essay (See Course Policy #2 for formatting written work.) due to Blackboard by 11pm on the due date.
Facilitator Speech After the due date for the group discussion postings, the student assigned the Facilitator Speech will create a coherent 5 minute speech that includes a voice over and a minimum of 6 (12 maximum) illustrative Powerpoint slides, using JING.
Both the Facilitator Speech and Facilitator Essay will be graded according to the grading rubric for those assignments. The rubric is available on the Group Discussion and Facilitation
Instructions assignment sheet.
Midterm Exam: An optional Midterm Exam will be available on Blackboard for students to
take as a practice exam for the Final. The format, style of questions, and organization will be the same as the Final. Students will receive 5% Extra Credit on their Final Exam grade based on their Midterm score.
Final Exam: No notes or other materials are permitted during the exams. Using outside materials, electronic devices, looking at any webpage other than the student’s own Blackboard 264 Final Exam, talking with another student, etc. is all considered cheating. Please see Course Policies #5 for penalties for cheating. Students must take the Final Exam in
one of two ways: 1. webcam
2. On August 2, 2012 from 1:00-3:00pm EST a computer classroom will be available for students to take the exam. Ms. Naviaux will administer the exam.
It is up to each student to schedule with the proctor or show at the classroom to take the exam. If neither of these options work for a student, he/she must contact
julie.naviaux@uky.edu NO LATER THAN July 25, 2012.
Note: Students will be provided with a calendar of class assignments (including due dates) and readings (both primary and secondary) listed for each week at the beginning of the course. Assignment sheets will also be provided. Please see Course Policies #2 for instructions on formatting.
Course Policies
1.) Participation (and Attendance): This is a class where participation is mandatory throughout every week the course is in session. Students must have access to a computer and the internet throughout the course and are expected to complete assignments and readings by the time they are due.
All course materials are online and it is the student’s responsibility to access material in a timely manner. Students are expected to spend a MINIMUM of 30 hours per week working with the course material (including reading, writing, interacting with other students in the course, etc). Students are expected to participate fully every day to benefit as much as possible from this course. This means students are expected to (a) read and consider applications of the
information, (b) ask questions and/or make applications in small group and optional large class discussions, and (c) work to facilitate online course interactions.
2.) Assignment Formats: All assignments will be turned in via Blackboard. No assignment at any
point during the semester will be accepted via email. If necessary, groups can decide how to
exchange information within their own groups but all work must be turned in through Blackboard to receive credit.
Discussion board submissions will be completed on Blackboard and will be due by 11pm on the day they are due and must be a minimum of 300 words, unless stated otherwise.
The Facilitator Essay should be typed in Microsoft Word. Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, one-inch margins, double-spaced, without extra spacing between paragraphs. Remember that formatting a paper properly is part of the requirement. Failure to do so WILL affect a student’s grade. Papers submitted that intentionally alter the page length for an assignment will be considered cheating. Please see Course Policies #5.
The Facilitator Speech must be recorded using Jing, available at this
Powerpoint visual. Students will need to contact Help Desk ahead of the due date and time if they have computer trouble. It is the students’ responsibility to submit the work on time. Unless otherwise indicated, all assignments should be typed, proofread, and ready to be turned by the due date and time. Be sure to use MLA format when relevant. Save everything before submitting! Assignments will be evaluated according to rubrics designed by the Course Supervisor, Dr. Young.
3.) Due Dates and Late Work: Late assignments will be accepted only in the event of documented excused inability/absences as defined by University Senate Rules V, 2.4.2. Problems associated with a computer, out-of-town trips, procrastination, or forgetfulness are not acceptable excuses for late submission of assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that assignments are submitted on time. Note: Once the deadline for submission has passed, these assignments will no longer be accessible on Blackboard.
Make-up quizzes and assignments will only be given for DOCUMENTED excused absences (or inabilities) and are scheduled as needed. A missed quiz or assignment will result in a score of zero for that exam/quiz/assignment, unless an acceptable written excuse is presented within 36 hours of the missed assignment.
Because this is an accelerated online course, only compelling, unavoidable, true emergency excuses will be granted. Whether or not the excuse is granted is solely up to the course instructor. Excuses for university-sponsored activities must be presented during the first week of class. No make-up work is available for certain assignments and exams unless approved in advance by the instructor.
Assignments are due no later than the time listed (Eastern Standard Time) on the Course Calendar (available on Blackboard) on the day they are due.
4.) Appropriate Behavior: The university, college, and department have commitments to respect the dignity of all. The instructor has the responsibility to ensure that all academic discourse occurs in a context characterized by respect and civility.
Students are expected to maintain decorum that includes respect for other students and the instructor, to regularly log in to the course, and to display an attitude that seeks to take full advantage of the educational opportunity. All students are expected to be prepared to work and actively participate in class activities.
Virtual communication and discussion "in cyberspace" occur in a social environment where normal rules of social interaction still apply. The remoteness of the recipients is no excuse to behave in an anti-social manner and post unacceptable messages.
Unacceptable messages include those that harass, intimidate, threaten, belittle, ridicule, expressed hatred for, or aggression toward others. Let us be mindful to avoid words that imply
that some groups of people are less worthy than others (e.g., avoid racist, sexist, anti-Semitic, age-ist, and homophobic language).
Discussion board and other electronic communication for this course should relate only to the course subject matter, generally respond to the assigned threads, and always seek to further the aims of that particular discussion forum or chat session (e.g., stay on topic).
Contributions to discussion boards and synchronous chat are the intellectual property of the authors. Students who quote another person in class projects, publications or even in remarks made on the discussion board should always acknowledge the source of that quote (e.g., do not plagiarize classmates).
Personal comments about other users and their views should not be placed in any Blackboard course areas that are viewable by other users.
Do not copy private messages to another person without the author's explicit permission. Consult the UK Student Rights and Responsibilities regarding the steps for addressing unresolved academic issues at http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Code/part2.html
5.) Plagiarism/Cheating: These are serious offenses and will be treated so. Any active attempt to deceive regarding the student’s work will be considered cheating. Any plagiarism or cheating offence will receive the maximum penalty available for that offence. Self-Plagiarism in this class is defined as using the same work (or close enough as to be considered the same work) as is/was used in another class. Cheating on the Final Exam will result in the student receiving an automatic “0” score for the exam.
All assignments, papers, and exams completed by students for this class should be the product of the personal efforts of the individual whose name appears on the work. Misrepresenting others’ work as the student’s own in the form of cheating or plagiarism is unethical and will lead to those penalties outlined in the University Senate Rules (6.3.1 and 6.3.2).
6.) Groups: Students will be assigned to a group at the very beginning of the course and are expected to work with their groups to complete assignments throughout the course. If a student has a problem with his/her group members, the instructor should be contacted immediately. Groups with severe internal conflicts may be dissolved at the instructor’s discretion and students assigned to other groups.
Services Available
Contacting the Instructor: Julie Naviaux, T.A., will be the primary contact for the course, as noted in “Office Hours” at the beginning of the syllabus. Emails sent to the instructor should include “English 264” in the subject and the student’s first and last name within the email. The instructor will respond to emails within 24 hours; if the student fails to receive a response after 24 hours, please try emailing the instructor again. (Voicemail messages left on the instructor’s office phone could potentially be deleted by office mates before the instructor receives them.)
SKYPE, telephone, and face-to-face meetings between a student and instructor will be scheduled via email.
If a concern arises about the course, please contact the course instructor immediately. Students are assured of a fair and friendly hearing and conversation. Mutual efforts will be made to alleviate the concern. If for some reason a student feels he/she has not received a fair hearing, please then contact the course supervisor, Dr. Young: Vershawn.young@uky.edu.
Academic Accommodations: If a student has a documented disability that requires academic accommodations in this course, make a request to the University Disability Resource Center
http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/DisabilityResourceCenter/index.html. The center will require current disability documentation. When accommodations are approved, the Center will provide the student with a Letter of Accommodation, which details the recommended
accommodations. In order to receive accommodations in this course, the student needs to provide the instructor with a Letter of Accommodation from the Disability Resource Center (Room 2, Alumni Gym, 257-2754). Contact the DRC Director Jake Karnes 859.257.2754 or
jkarnes@email.uky.edu.
Distance Learning Library Services: (http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/DLLS) ● Carla Cantagallo, DL Librarian, Email: dlservice@email.uky.edu
● Local phone number: 859. 257.0500, ext. 2171;
● Long-distance phone number: (800) 828-0439 (option #6) Useful Websites:
http://connect.uky.edu/eng264 for this course’s ConnectPro meeting room. Students will need to use linkblue logins to access the site.
http://www.techsmith.com/jing/free to download JING. Only the free version is required for this course. (The free version allows up to a 5 minute recording, which meets the minimum requirements for assignments in this course.) Versions for both Mac and PC are available. Watch the “Overview Video” for an introduction to the program.
http://www.skype.com/intl is the link to download SKYPE. This program is free and includes versions for both PC and MAC. Calls made between computers are free and can include both audio and video or just audio. Students can conference with the course instructor online.
http://libguides.uky.edu/ENG264-219 is a Course Guide specifically designed for this class. The librarian listed on the page compiled many useful resources and links for projects and
additional information on topics/readings covered in this class. The librarian’s contact information is listed on the site if students have questions.
http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/page.php?lweb_id=1 is a good place to start if a student is not familiar with the University of Kentucky website and all the resources it has to offer.
http://www.wix.com, http://www.blogspot.com, and http://www.weebly.com are easy-to-use sites that allow for free website creating.
http://www.npr.org includes possibility useful and informative audio essays.
http://www.thislife.org is another good source for audio essays.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu is a good source for writing and citation tips. This is a highly regarded resource by people in the profession, and students can take advantage of it for free.
