Essay

You will complete one three- to four-page essay on Quicksand.  You will write two drafts of the essay, discussing the first draft with classmates before revising and submitting a second draft for a grade.  You may also seek feedback from consultants at the English Department Writing Center.  Although time doesn’t allow me to read full drafts from all students, I can respond to passages or discuss ideas-in-progress.

Please submit the essay on 8 ½" by 11" paper, titled, paginated, typed and double-spaced, with one-inch margins.  In the upper left hand corner of the first page, include your name, the course number, the assignment number, and the due date; this information should be single-spaced.  You may use a 10 or 12 point Arial, Bookman, Century Schoolbook, or Times New Roman font for your papers.  When citing sources, use the MLA documentation style.

Web Project

Each student will complete a Web site that offers a literary and contextual analysis of Their Eyes Were Watching God.  Along with presenting an argument supported by close reading and insights from presentations and class discussion, the Web project will include an annotated passage from the text, images and a page of relevant links.  You will author two drafts of the Web project, receiving comments on the first draft from your classmates and me before revising and submitting a second draft for a grade.  You will also have the option of discussing the draft with me in a short conference.  You may choose as well to seek additional feedback from English Department Writing Center consultants.

Take-Home Midterm Exam

At the end of the first week, you will complete a take-home midterm exam. The exam will require two- to three-paragraph analyses of selected passages from course readings.

Presentation

Groups of two to three students will give a fifteen-minute presentation on a paradigmatic figure, text, or event from the Harlem Renaissance.  The presentation requires primary and secondary source research.  Presentations should include a bibliography of sources; moreover, groups must incorporate visual aids into their presentations.  The presentations will help the class explore the social, cultural, and political contexts of the Harlem Renaissance, contexts that will add to our understanding of course readings. 

During the first week of class, I will distribute a list of topics, and I will introduce the class to research methods in literature.  Groups should plan to meet with me as they develop their presentations. 

Participation

Class discussion constitutes one key method of developing your analytical skills. Thus, I expect prompt, regular attendance and active participation in discussions of literary texts and supplemental readings.  You should come prepared for each class session, with assigned reading completed. To encourage participation, I will frequently call on students and begin class with short writing exercises on the reading due for the day. Students should plan to ask questions, make comments, summarize texts, analyze passages, or contribute to small-group or electronic discussions.  Like all skills, speaking in class becomes easier with practice.  I do not expect fully polished analyses in class discussion; rather, your contributions represent ideas for further development..

Email and Access to Course Web Site

You must have a UW Net ID, a working email account and a way to access the course Web site.  I frequently upload schedule changes, assignment guidelines, and grading criteria to this Web site.  The site also contains links and sample assignment responses not distributed in class.

Lateness Policy

I will not accept late presentations or take-home midterms.  Failure to do a draft of the essay or Web project 15-point deduction from the final grade.  Late essays and Web projects will receive a a 10-point deduction per day late, including weekends and holidays.  I will not accept final Web project drafts submitted after the last week of the term.

Plagiarism Policy

In your essay, presentation, and Web project, you may draw upon the ideas and words of other writers.  However, you must make clear to your audience that you are incorporating another’s workby placing quotation marks around exact words and citing the author’s name whenever you quote, summarize or paraphrase.  Failure to credit sources may result in a failing grade for the assignment, a failing grade for the course, or expulsion from the university.