Spring 2004

Mondays & Wednesdays 12:05-12:55 p.m.

6104 Social Science

 

FINAL EXAM

Tuesday, May 11 2004

12:25 p.m.

5206 Social Science

 

 

Instructor: Akua Sarr

  • Email:              asarr@facstaff.wisc.edu

  • Phone:             262-2941

  • Office:             402 South Hall

  • Office Hours:  Tuesdays 10:00– 12:00 p.m. or by appointment

 

 

Class Objectives and Description

The course content of African 201 varies from semester to semester, but our primary focus this semester will be literature in the form of the novel and short story. The course has dual purposes.  It aims to give students an appreciation of African literature, and teach basic skills in interpretation and analysis. Lectures, discussion sections, and all written assignments will emphasize the development of close and critical reading skills while also stressing the importance of social and historical contexts to meaningful interpretation.

The course will stress the diversity of the African continent and the importance of critical thinking and analysis when examining representations of Africa in popular culture. In order to provide thematic unity, the majority of the texts we will read are by South African writers. So we will pay considerable attention to Apartheid and Post-Apartheid, racial classifications, identity, and the ways in which South Africans have negotiated their quests for independence, equality, justice, and freedom.

This course satisfies the Communications B requirement, the ethnic studies requirement, and counts as a 3 credit literature course.  The prerequisite for this course is successful completion of, or exemption from, a Communication A course.  African 201 is both reading and writing intensive. Students will be expected to respond to lectures and reading, present their own interpretations of the assigned texts, respond to classmate’s ideas, and develop their writing skills. A substantial amount of time will be devoted to responding to the reading both in discussion section and through writing assignments. To ensure good performance, you will need to pay attention to the dual aspects of the course, namely what the course offers about Africa, and what the course offers in terms of writing and analytical skills.

 

Criteria for Communications-B Requirement

1) Numerous writing assignments distributed through the semester and producing a total of 30-35 pages of writing that are submitted to the instructor. Drafts, in class writing, and essay exams will count in the total number of pages.

2) At least two assignments that require students to submit a draft, assimilate feedback on it, and revise it.

3) At least one individual conference with each student, early in the semester, to discuss student’s writing.

4) An information gathering component beyond the beginning level, involving approximately 2 hours of instructional time in a campus library.

5) A speaking component, involving activities such as a formal presentation by each student and numerous discussions to which all students must contribute.

 

Honors

Honors credit is available for this course. Students in the Honors Program, or those who wish to receive Honors credit, should be enrolled in Discussion 305 (Fridays at 12:05).