HUM 211 Syllabus - Winter 2010
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HUM 211 - Culture and Literature of Africa - 4 Credits - Winter 2010
CRN #40813 - Mon. & Wed. 12:45 - 2:25 p.m., Deschutes 1
Instructor: Cora Agatucci

How to Contact Cora Agatucci:
Electronic mail:
Cora's Office Location: Grandview 106-B  (Bend campus)
Office Hours: See
Cora's current Schedule (& also by appointment):
http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/schedule.htm 

Office Phone & Voicemail: (541) 383-7522
Humanities Dept. Office (Bend campus): Modoc 226 
Fax:  (541) 330-4396 - Attention: Cora Agatucci
Cora's COCC Home Page: http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/ 
HUM 211 Course Web Home Page:
http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/hum211/

Winter 2010 HUM 211 Required Textbooks (Novels)
available for purchase in COCC Bookstore:

Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart: Norton Critical Edition. Ed. Francis Abiola Irele. New York: Norton, 2008.
ISBN: 978-0-393-93219-5 (paperback)

Dangarembga, Tsitsi. Nervous Conditions. 4th ed. (with foreward by K. Anthony Appiah). New York: Seal Press, 2004.
ISBN: 978-1580051347 (paperback)

Coetzee, J. M.  Disgrace. Penguin Essential Editions: Reissue ed.  New York: Penguin, 2005.
ISBN: 978-0143036371 (paperback)

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Additional Required HUM 211 Readings will include:

--HUM 211 paper Handouts (distributed in class) AND
--HUM 211 Online Course Pack readings (freely available on the World Wide Web):
   URL: http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/hum211/CoursePack/index.html
  
See also COCC Computer Resources for Students below.

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Required also are some Film Viewings
to be shown in class
(see HUM 211 Course Plan)
& placed on COCC Barber Library Reserve, including:

Keita: The Heritage of the Griot. [French title: Keita! L'héritage du griot.] Burkina Faso & France, 1994. Dir. Dani Kouyaté [b. 1961, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso]. Perf. Seydou Boro, Hamed Dicko, Abdoulaye Komboudri, Sotigui Kouyaté. Afix Productions-California Newsreel, 1994. Videotape & DVD.
[In Jula and French, with English subtitles; Run time: approx. 94 min.]

I Is a Long Memoried Woman. Arts Council of England, U.K., 1990. Dir. Frances-Anne Solomon [b. Trinidad]. Based on the poetry of Grace Nichols [b. Guyana]. Narr. & Perf. Adjoa Andoh and Leonie Forbes. LedaSerene/Women Make Movies, 1990. [Videotape.] LedaSerene/Yod Video, 1991. [Videotape] Leda Serene Films, 2004. DVD. 
[In Creole and English; Run time: approx. 50 min. Audience: High School to Adult.]

District 9. New Zealand, 2009. Dir. & Wr. Neill Blomkamp [b. 1979, Johannesburg, South Africa]. Prod. Peter Jackson. Perf. Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope. Tristar. 2009.  DVD.
[Rated: R for violence & language; In English, Nyanja, Afrikaans, & some other indigenous languages; Run time: approx. 112 min.]

x

Other Requirements:

Academic Calendar & Final Exam Schedule for 2009-10:
http://current.cocc.edu/Degrees_Classes/calendar/default.aspx

Adhere to COCC Student Rights and Responsibilities
http://studentlife.cocc.edu/Policies/Rights+and+Responsibilities/default.aspx

HUM 211 Course Description

HUM 211 - Culture and Literature of Africa
Introductory study of representative oral arts, literature, films, and related creative arts, in English or in translation, of sub-Saharan African peoples, examined in context of their histories and cultural traditions.
Credits: 4  Lecture: 4
> COCC 2009-10 Catalog Brief Course Description
URL: https://oraweb.cocc.edu/2010/HUM.htm#HUM211

Recommended preparation: Students are best prepared to succeed in HUM 211 if they have college-entry level reading, writing, & critical thinking skills.  HUM 211 is an introductory college-level course, so previous coursework in African studies is not required (although such background is, of course, helpful). 

What does HUM 211 count as?

HUM 211 is one of the COCC college transfer "Humanities Distribution course options" "approved by the College's Curriculum Committee for use as General Education Distribution courses for the AAOT, AS, AAS, and AGS degrees" > COCC 2009-10 Catalog, p. 45 - also available online:
http://current.cocc.edu/UserData/Documents/current/catalog/2010%20Pathways%20pp33-47.pdf
Successful completion of HUM 211 (with grade of "C" or higher) can also be applied toward satisfying:
--Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) "Introduction to the Disciplines: Humanities/Arts & Letters" requirement

--AS-DT (Associate of Science-Direct Transfer)
general education requirements
--COCC Career-Technical Program Certificates of completion
general education coursework requirements
--OUS (Oregon University System), non-OUS and out-of-state colleges and universities' lower-division transfer coursework for general education, cultural diversity, major, and/or elective requirements

For more information, please consult your COCC Advisor, Cora Agatucci, and COCC Catalog: http://current.cocc.edu/Degrees_Classes/Catalog/default.aspx

What will you learn in HUM 211?
HUM 211 Course Learning Outcomes (AKA: Objectives)

Students who successfully complete Humanities 211 - Culture and Literature of Africa  (with grade of "C" or higher) will be able to achieve these Learning Outcomes:

1. Build knowledge of language arts and cultures different from one’s own

1.a. Identify distinctive characteristics, genres, periods, themes of traditional and modern African orature, literature, and film (e.g., proverb wisdom, call-and-response, praise-poetry, African griot traditions, colonial and post-colonial African "response" literature, anti-apartheid resistance arts).

1.b. Situate individual African texts in their historical, national/regional and cultural contexts, and analyze significant ways that these texts reflect or represent those contexts (e.g. cultural values and beliefs, intellectual and creative traditions, historical and biographical backgrounds, social and political realities).

1.c. Evaluate the limitations and benefits of studying African works in cross-cultural translation (e.g., across one or more different languages; across oral and literate-based cultures; across orature, literature, film).

2. Apply this knowledge to cross-cultural comparative analysis

2.a. Identify and analyze significant cross cultural differences and similarities--among different African texts and their cultures; between African language arts/cultures and one’s own; and/or between African works and cultures and those of other non-Western groups.

2.b. Examine the effects of individual and culturally-determined factors (such as race, gender, class, nation, biases of information sources, prior cross-cultural experiences) on one’s own and others’ responses to African texts and cultures.

2.c. Identify topics of personal interest, unanswered questions, controversial claims and alternative viewpoints arising from one’s cross-cultural comparative study for further research and investigation.

3. Construct and communicate persuasive cross-cultural interpretations

3.a. Formulate responses and interpretations using varied strategies and resources (e.g., active reading/viewing skills; self-reflection, critical and empathetic thinking, oral discussion and writing, multiple perspectives, comparative analysis, and interdisciplinary knowledge).

3.b. Create a persuasive cross-cultural interpretation of an African text that integrates ethnorelative perspectives and analytical criteria appropriate to African language arts and their cultural contexts.

3.c. Communicate one’s interpretations in informal and formal writing, using relevant, well-selected evidence from African texts and their cultural contexts to support one’s points.

3.d.  Avoid plagiarism by using an acceptable academic style (e.g. MLA) to cite direct quotations, paraphrases (indirect quotations), and summaries taken from primary and secondary sources.

Humanities Dept. General Education Program update 07-09-2007:
See http://humanities.cocc.edu/UserData/Documents/humanities/Humanities.pdf
Humanities Dept > Programs and Classes > Humanities and Film Arts:
http://humanities.cocc.edu/Programs_Classes/HUMFA/default.aspx

HUM 211  Planned Unit Assignments, Grading Weights, & Late Policies
All Unit readings & assignments are designed to help students achieve HUM 211 Learning Outcomes.
**If you encounter problems completing HUM 211 assignments on deadline,
and/or have questions/concerns regarding assignments & grading,
please contact Cora ASAP to discuss.**

Units 1 & 2
40 pts possible
(40 ÷ 300)
13.3% of
course grade

UNITS 1 & 2 Seminars:
  10 pts = Seminar #1 Written Prep.
  10 pts = In-Class Seminar #1/Group Report
  10 pts = Seminar #2 Written Prep.
  10 pts = In-Class Seminar #2/Group Report
Late Seminar Written Prep assignments may be submitted late but will be penalized points; also be aware that late assignments receive low priority in Cora's constant ongoing grading schedule so students should NOT expect speedy grading & return.
Make-Up of missed In-Class Seminars can NOT be guaranteed,
but may be possible IF the participation of at least  two other HUM 211 students
(i.e. who also need to Make-Up a missed In-Class Seminar) can be arranged outside regular class time.

Unit 3
30 pts possible
(30 ÷ 300)
10% of
course grade

UNIT 3: Film Analysis & Seminar
  20 pts = Keita Film Analysis
  10 pts = In-Class Seminar #3/Group Report
Late Film Analysis assignments may be submitted late but will be penalized points & instructor will NOT provide any comments; also be aware that late assignments receive low priority in Cora's constant ongoing grading schedule so students should NOT expect speedy grading & return.
Make-Up of missed In-Class Seminars: Same as stated above.

Unit 4
20 pts possible
(20 ÷ 300)
≈ 6.7% of
course grade

UNIT 4 Seminar:
  10 pts = Seminar #4 Written Prep.
  10 pts = In-Class Seminar #4/Group Report

Late/Make-Up Policy: Same as for Units 1 & 2 Seminars stated above.

Midterm
50 pts possible
(50 ÷ 300)
16.7% of
course grade

Take-Home Midterm Exam (on UNITS 1-5)
(Midterm Exam will be composed of Objective & Short Answer Questions)
  50 pts = Take-Home Midterm Exam on Units 1-5 readings & film viewings

Late Take-Home Midterms may be submitted late but will be penalized points.

Units 5 & 6
30 pts possible
(30 ÷ 300)
10% of
course grade

UNITS 5 & 6 : Novel Analysis & Seminar
  20 pts = Things Fall Apart Novel Analysis
  10 pts = In-Class Seminar #5/Group Report
Late Novel Analysis assignments may be submitted late but will be penalized points & instructor will NOT provide any comments; also be aware that late assignments receive low priority in Cora's constant ongoing grading schedule so students should NOT expect speedy grading & return.
Make-Up of missed In-Class Seminars: Same as stated above.

Unit 7
30 20 pts possible
(30 ÷ 300)
10% of
course grade

UNIT 7: Novel Analysis & Seminar
REV 10 pts = Seminar #6 Written Prep. (Afrique & Nervous Conditions)
  20 pts = Nervous Conditions Novel Analysis
  10 pts = In-Class Seminar #6/Group Report
Late Novel Analysis may be submitted late but will be penalized points & instructor will NOT provide any comments; also be aware that late assignments receive low priority in Cora's constant ongoing grading schedule so  students should NOT expect speedy grading & return.
Make-Up of missed In-Class Seminars: Same as stated above.

Unit 8
20 pts possible
(20 ÷ 300)
6.7% of
course grade

UNIT 8: Seminar
  10 pts = Seminar #7 Written Prep.
  10 pts = In-Class Seminar #7/Group Report

Late/Make-Up Policy: Same as stated above.

Final
80 pts possible
(80 ÷ xxx)
26.7% of
course grade

Final Project, Seminar, & Course Reflections Survey
(Final Project will be a 3-to-5 source Annotated Bibliography on HUM 211 topics of interest)
  60 pts = Final Project (Annotated Bibliography)
  10 pts = In-Class Seminar #8/Group Report
  10 pts = Course Reflections Survey
NO Late/Make-Up Final Projects, In-Class Seminar, Course Reflections Surveys will be allowed.
300 290 pts = Total Points possible based on planned assignments above.

Cora will be using Blackboard (Bb) Grade Center to record scores students earn on individual graded assignments & to calculate students' overall course grades to date. Students will be able to check their current record of assignments completed and scores earned--as well as overall points earned to date, percentage (points earned to date divided by points possible to date) and course grade to date (based on percentage)--by clicking “View Grades” in our Bb Course Menu. Directions for how to access our Blackboard course & "View Grades" will be explained in class.  For now, I offer the following Final Course Grade Scale based on the total 300 points possible projected for planned course assignments.

 

Total Points Earned
(out of 300 pts possible)
= Percentage
(pts earned ÷ pts possible)
= Course Grade
per COCC policy*
300 - 285 pts 100 % – 95.0 93.0% A
284.9 - 270 pts 94.9 92.9% – 90.0%  A-
269.9 - 261 pts 89.9% – 87.0%   B+
260.9 - 249 pts 86.9% -  83.0% B
248.9 - 240 pts 82.9% -  80.0%  B-
239.9 - 231 pts 79.9% – 77.0%  C+
230.9 - 210 pts 76.9%  - 70.0% C
209.9 - 180 pts 69.9% – 60.0% D
179.9 - 0 pts. 59.9% – 00.0% F

*COCC does NOT allow instructors to award final course grades
of A+, C-, D+, D-, F+ or F-

    If, however, any of the above HUM 211 planned assignments have to deleted or changed, the actual total points possible will be reduced/adjusted accordingly, and Blackboard Grade Center is programmed to compute grades based on percentage (actual points earned divided by actual points possible), according to the official COCC Percentage-to-Grade scale given below:

Revised COCC Course Percentage-to-Grade Conversion Scale
per COCC grading guidelines & policies

Percentage
(total points earned ÷ actual total points possible)

= Course Grade
per COCC grading policy*

100 % – 95.0 93.0%

A

94.9 92.9% – 90.0%

 A-

89.9% – 87.0%

  B+
86.9% -  83.0% B
82.9% -  80.0%  B-
79.9% – 77.0%   C+
76.9%  - 70.0% C
69.9% – 60.0% D
59.9% – 00.0% F

*COCC does NOT allow instructors to award final course grades
of A+, C-, D+, D-, F+ or F-

Plagiarism Policy

Proper in-text citations and complete bibliographical documentation of any and all sources that you quote, paraphrase, and/or summarize in your writing are required whenever you borrow the words, facts, and/or ideas of others. Not only direct quotations but also paraphrases (indirect quotation) and summaries must be cited.  Note well that even putting others’ ideas into your own words (i.e. paraphrasing and summarizing) still means you are borrowing, and you need to give credit where credit is due. To avoid plagiarism, source(s) must be cited and documented, both:

(a) at the point in your papers where the borrowing occurs (using in-text and parenthetical citations for MLA and most documentation styles), and
(b) in a list of all sources cited given at the end of your written assignments, especially formal graded papers.

Plagiarism—intended or not—is considered a violation of academic honesty and legal intellectual property rights. Plagiarism in any HUM 211 writing assignment is grounds for an "F" on that assignment.

BUT DO NOT PANIC!  Directions & models for citing your sources (using MLA style) in Humanities 211 assignments will be given and discussed further in class this term.  Meanwhile, if you have questions or concerns, please see Cora to discuss.

COCC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution.

COCC Students with Special Needs

"COCC strives to make available to all students the opportunity for an excellent and rewarding education," and in accordance with federal guidelines, "COCC is committed to making physical facilities and instructional programs accessible to all students.  Awareness of students' needs and goals helps to create an atmosphere in which learning and growth can occur."
--Services for Students with Disabilities: http://disability.cocc.edu/

Students with special needs who  . . .

bullethave documented disabilities requiring special accommodations,
AND/OR
bullethave any emergency medical information that the instructor should know of,
AND/OR
bulletrequire special arrangements in the event of an evacuation,

. . . should share these special needs as early as possible with the course instructor AND with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities: 

Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD):
Boyle Education Center (BEC), 2600 NW College Way, Bend OR 97701 
Telephone/Voicemail: 541-383-7583
--Anne Walker, SSD Coordinator, can be reached
 at 541-383-7743 or by email: awalker@cocc.edu
--Nichole Martinez-Daniel, SSD Office Specialist,
can be reached at 541-383-7583 or by email: nmartinezdaniel@cocc.edu
--Dave Hagenbach, Sign Language Interpreter/Coordinator,
can be reached at 541-383-7737 or by email: dhagenbach@cocc.edu

--Oregon Relay Service: 800-735-1232, or simply dial 7-1-1

SDD Online Resources:
--
Services for Students with Disabilities:
http://disability.cocc.edu/

--Guide for Students with Disabilities:
http://disability.cocc.edu/Guide/default.aspx
--COCC campus maps and disabled parking areas:  
 http://web.cocc.edu/admit/new/publ/bendcampusparking.pdf

COCC Computer Resources for Students
COCC Computing [Home]: http://computerlabs.cocc.edu/default.aspx
COCC Computing > General Information: http://computerlabs.cocc.edu/General+Info/default.aspx

COCC Blackboard (Bb) 9 - Information & Help:
Blackboard Help for Students
http://programs.cocc.edu/Management+Systems/Blackboard/Bb+for+Students/default.aspx

COCC Computing > Student Accounts
http://computerlabs.cocc.edu/Student+Accounts/default.aspx
COCC Computing >Student Accounts > Student Computer Network Account [FAQ's]
http://computerlabs.cocc.edu/Student+Accounts/Student+Network+Account/default.aspx
COCC Computing > Student Accounts >
Student Network & Email Account Tips
http://computerlabs.cocc.edu/Student+Accounts/Help/default.aspx
COCC Computing >
[Computer] Lab Facilities
http://computerlabs.cocc.edu/Lab+Facilities/default.aspx
COCC
Computing > [Drop-In] Computer Lab Hours:
http://computerlabs.cocc.edu/Lab+Facilities/Hours/default.aspx
COCC Computing > General Information >
Computer Lab Coordinator
http://computerlabs.cocc.edu/General+Info/My+Page/default.aspx
COCC Technology Services >
Students: Common Questions 
http://its.cocc.edu/Stud/default.aspx
COCC
Computer Security & Viruses: http://virus.cocc.edu/
COCC Computing >
Ask COCC for Help
http://computerlabs.cocc.edu/support.aspx
COCC
Barber Library > Library Services
http://campuslibrary.cocc.edu/Library+Services/default.aspx

COCC
Barber Library>Library Services>Redmond and off-Campus services for COCC patrons
http://campuslibrary.cocc.edu/Library+Services/Connect/default.aspx
COCC Directory >
Maps
http://directory.cocc.edu/maps/default.aspx

I look forward to working with and learning from you all this term! ~ Cora

Winter 2010 HUM 211 Syllabus | Course Plan | Online Course Pack Index
Additional HUM 211 Resources: African Timelines | African Films

COCC Home > Cora Agatucci Home > Classes > HUM 211 Home > HUM 211 Syllabus
You are here: HUM 211 Syllabus  - Winter 2010
URL of this page: http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/hum211/syllabus.htm
Last Updated: 13 February 2010

  
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Humanities Department, Central Oregon Community College
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