African Drama and Poetry (and Orature): Course Outline and Handouts

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES ST. AUGUSTINE, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO LITS 2208: African Drama and Poetry (and Orature) Dr. David Mastey [email protected] Lectures: TCB 22 Tuesdays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm Office Hours: SB 308 Wednesdays, noon – 2:00pm Thursdays, 9:00am – 11:00am Tutorials: FHE 314B Wednesdays, 5:00pm – 6:00pm Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 8:00pm Dropbox: [redacted] 1. Course description This course serves as a general introduction to African drama, poetry, and orature. We will read texts by authors from across the continent, including Egypt, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda. Analyzing these texts as printed literature in the university classroom presents some unique challenges and opportunities. Drama and poetry are traditionally performative genres practiced across the continent for many centuries in various languages. These genres are influenced by orature in Africa, which features its own conventions not usually found in written literature. Of course, some of the poets and dramatists we will read draw upon Western influences as well. We will sample a variety of innovative texts over the semester, including: Niane, D.T. Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. Longman, 1965. p'Bitek, Okot. Song of Lawino. East African Educational Publishers Ltd., 1966. Clark, J.P. “Abiku.” A Reed in the Tide. Longman, 1965. Soyinka, Wole. “Abiku.” Idanre and Other Poems. Methuen, 1967. Diop, David. “The Renegade.” Coups de pilon. Présence africaine, 1956. Senghor, Léopold Sédar. “Black Woman.” Chants d’ombre. Éditions du Seuil, 1945. Fugard, Athol. “MASTER HAROLD” ... and the Boys. Knopf, 1982. Al-Hakim, Tawfiq. The Sultan's Dilemma. 1960. From Modern Egyptian Drama. Edited by Farouk Abdel Wahab. Bibliotheca Islamica, 1974. 2. Course Aims The primary aim of this course is to introduce you to three genres of African narrative of cultural and literary significance. During our lectures we will combine close readings of the texts with discussions about the cultural, literary, and historical contexts that both inform and are reflected in them. It is not possible to provide a comprehensive review of these diverse genres in just one semester. But by the end of this term you will be able to speak confidently about the major characteristics of these forms, as well as what distinguishes them as uniquely African in nature. 3. UWI Graduate Outcomes 1. A critical and creative thinker; 2. An effective communicator with good interpersonal skills; 3. Globally aware and well-grounded in his/her regional identity; 4. Socially, culturally and environmentally responsible and guided by strong ethical values. 4. Course Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: … 1. Exhibit your understanding of African drama, poetry, and orature as distinct modes of writing; 2. Explain how basic literary elements (e.g. theme, setting, etc.) contribute to narrative; 3. Critically analyze our readings according to accepted disciplinary practices in Literary Studies; 4. Show an awareness of the connection between contemporary social/cultural/historical contexts and the literary content; 5. Demonstrate the ability to engage in lateral thinking by applying insights from reading of one work to the analysis of others. 5. Programme Goals and Course Learning Outcomes Matrix Programme Level Learning Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes (Indicate by either referring to the number of the outcome as listed in 4. above or by writing the outcome) At the end of the programme students will be able to: At the end of the course students will be able to 1 Solid academic background in literatures X Well-developed skills in oral/written com. X 2 3 4 5 X X X X Produce sound academic arguments, etc. X X X Independent, multi-disciplinary research X X X Socially aware persons & creative thinkers X X 6. Course Assessments Description 7C. Attendance / Participation Due: Ongoing Mark: 10% I will write a question on the whiteboard at the beginning of each lecture that relates to the novel we will discuss that day. This question will also relate to our lecture discussion. You will have 5 minutes to answer the question on a piece of paper, after which time I will collect your answers. You will receive 1% of your attendance/participation grade if you answer the question correctly. 7D. Final Exam Due: TBD Mark: 60% Current university regulations require that this course incorporate an exam assessment. The final exam consists of two sections: 1.) key concepts and 2.) quotation analysis. I will discuss the final exam in greater detail during our final tutorial session. 7.A First Essay: Poetry or Orature Due: Lecture 6 Mark: 15% You will write an argumentative essay on D.T. Niane’s Sundiata (1965) or one of the poems we read for this course. The essay must consist of between 1000 to 1200 words in length. It must follow MLA format as laid out in the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook (2016). It must be double-spaced, with one-inch margins and 12-point font size. You must use the ‘First Essay Template’ when writing this assignment, which is located in our course Dropbox. You must submit the essay via Turnitin on our myeLearning site by 11:59pm on the date due (Lecture 6). You have two options for writing this essay. First, you can develop your own argument. If you take this option you must discuss your argument with me and get my approval before you begin. Second, you can write on a pre-determined essay prompt. If you are not comfortable developing your own argument I recommend that you choose this option. I will upload essay prompts to our course Dropbox in advance of the due date. 7.B Second Essay: Drama Due: Lecture 13 Mark: 15% You will write an argumentative essay on either Tawfiq Al-Hakim’s The Sultan’s Dilemma (1960) or Athol Fugard’s MASTER HAROLD (1982). The essay must consist of between 2000 to 2200 words in length. It must follow MLA format as laid out in the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook (2016). It must be double-spaced, with one-inch margins and 12-point font size. You must use the ‘Second Essay Template’ when writing this assignment, which is located in our course Dropbox. If you want to receive substantive feedback on this essay you must indicate so on the template. You must submit the essay via Turnitin on our myeLearning site by 11:59pm on the date due (Lecture 13). Again, for this Second Essay you can either develop your own argument or use one of the predetermined essay prompts. I will upload essay prompts to our course Dropbox in advance of the due date. [2018] 3 Essay Grading Rubric I grade essays using the rubric below. You will receive a rubric mark sheet, which will include comments on each component, when I return your essay. As I explain in the section above (6.B), if you want to receive substantive feedback on the second essay you must indicate so on the essay template. The rubric components are as follows: 10% Essay Requirements Your essay sufficiently conforms to the requirements stated in the course outline. 10% Introduction Your introduction contains a thesis statement that consists of both your claim and your reasons for it. You briefly summarize the main evidence for your argument. You do not begin with a restatement of the essay requirements, a dictionary definition, or an overly broad statement. 20% Written Expression Your writing demonstrates appropriate grammar and diction. You write using a tone that is appropriate for university-level academic work. You clearly define terms or theoretical concepts necessary to follow your argument. 20% Textual Evidence Your evidence sufficiently proves your argument. Evidence is substantial and accurate. You know when to quote directly from the text, or paraphrase, or summarize general content as needed. When you quote directly from the text you analyze those quotations. You do not use block quotations excessively. 30% Literary Analysis Your literary analysis of the text in general, and content that is key to your argument in particular, is insightful. You demonstrate the critical skills expected in Literary Studies. 10% Conclusion You attempt to explain the significance of your argument by answering the question, “So what?” You do not simply repeat your main points or summarize your evidence. Late Essay Policy Essays are due on the day of the lectures indicated in the sections above (6C and 6D). You must submit them via Turnitin by 11:59pm on that day. Late essays are penalized by five percent for every calendar day except in extraordinary situations, e.g. a death in the family or severe illness. My apologies, but due to university regulations I must ask for the appropriate documentation in these situations. [2018] 4 Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is defined in Section 2 of the 2017-2018 FHE Undergraduate Handbook: Regulations and Syllabuses. If you plagiarize material in an essay you will receive a ‘0’ for the assignment, as well as any other sanctions outlined in the Handbook. I will not provide feedback on essays that contain plagiarism. University regulations require that I include the following statement concerning Turnitin: It is now a requirement for all students to submit written assignments in this course, as specified by the teaching staff, be it coursework, theses, research papers, or project reports, through Turnitin. Turnitin is used to assist students in detecting improper referencing, misquotation, and the inclusion of unattributed material, which may be considered forms of cheating or plagiarism. Students should be aware that teaching staff may submit individual written assignments. Turnitin may retain a copy of submitted materials but access to the full text of submissions will not be made available to any other party without due cause. The ‘University Regulations on Plagiarism’ is available online or from UWI Examinations Section. 7. Course Assessment Type and Course Learning Outcome Matrix Assessment Type Learning Outcomes Mark % Description Length [ Section (4) ] 1 2 3 4 First Essay x x x x 15 Written work 2000-2200 words Second Essay x x x x 15 Written work 2000-2200 words x x 10 Participation 10 questions x x 60 Exam 2 hours Attendance Final Exam x x 5 x University Grading Scheme A+ 90-100 A 80-89 A- 75-79 B+ 70-74 B 65-69 B- 60-64 C+ 55-59 C 50-54 F1 40-49 F2 30-39 F3: 0-29 [2018] 5 8. Course Calendar 8A. Lecture Schedule We will meet once per week for a 2-hour lecture session. During each lecture we will examine the novel under consideration by analyzing its basic literary elements: 1.) Scene/Episode/Plot, 2.) Setting, 3.) Character/Point of View, and 4.) Theme. The purpose of this lecture format is to help you recognize how these foundations of literary writing contribute to an overall narrative. While I am mainly responsible for directing the lectures, I routinely call upon students to give your critical assessments of a passage, answer questions about literary interpretation, and so on. Week Topic Readings Learning Activities 1. Introduction Course outline Discussions 2. Scene/Episode/Plot, Setting Niane Lectures, discussions, close readings 3. Character / POV, Theme Niane Lectures, discussions, close readings 4. Carnival – No class 5. Scene/Episode/Plot, Setting p'Bitek Lectures, discussions, close readings 6. Character / POV, Theme p'Bitek Lectures, discussions, close readings 7. All elements Clark and Lectures, discussions, close readings Assignment* First essay Soyinka 8. All elements Senghor and Diop Lectures, discussions, close readings 9. All elements Al-Hakim Lectures, discussions, close readings 10. Theme Al-Hakim Lectures, discussions, close readings 11. Scene/Episode/Plot, Setting Fugard Lectures, discussions, close readings 12. Character / POV Fugard Lectures, discussions, close readings 13. Theme Fugard Lectures, discussions, close readings Second essay [2018] 6 8B. Tutorial Schedule We will meet once per week for a 1-hour tutorial session. Tutorials are divided into two general subject areas. Each time we discuss a new novel I will devote a tutorial to historical contexts that help you understand the significance of the text. For the remaining tutorials I will provide you with instruction for writing argumentative essays about literature. During these tutorials I will use specific examples from the novel under consideration in a given week to illustrate how to take an argumentative approach to literary analysis. Week Topic Learning Activities 1. No class 2. Context: African Epics Tutorial discussions, close readings 3. Writing: Arguments Tutorial discussions, close readings 4. Carnival – No class 5. Context: Performance in Africa Tutorial discussions, close readings 6. Writing: Organization Tutorial discussions, close readings 7. Writing: Using Evidence Tutorial discussions, close readings 8. Context: Negritude Tutorial discussions, close readings 9. Writing: Introductions Tutorial discussions, close readings 10. Writing: Conclusions Tutorial discussions, close readings 11. Context: Apartheid Tutorial discussions, close readings 12. Writing: Counter-Arguments Tutorial discussions, close readings 13. Exam Preparation Tutorial discussions, close readings [2018] 7 LITS 2208: African Drama and Poetry (and Orature) FIRST ESSAY PROMPTS You have two options for writing this essay. First, you can develop your own argument. If you take this option you must discuss your argument with me and get my approval before you begin. Second, you can write on a pre-determined essay prompt below. If you are not comfortable developing your own argument I recommend that you choose this option. Prompt 1: Sundiata by D.T. Niane What is the purpose of Djeli Kouyaté’s repeated interjections in the story/plot of Sundiata? Prompt 2: Song of Lawino by Okot p’Bitek How do Lawino’s methods of communication change depending on her audience and why are these changes significant? Prompt 3: “Abiku” by Wole Soyinka Is the abiku child the antagonist of this poem? Prompt 4: “Black Woman” by Leopold Senghor Is Senghor justified in objectifying the female body in his poem in order to counteract racist representations of African peoples? LITS 2208: African Drama and Poetry (and Orature) SECOND ESSAY PROMPTS You have two options for writing this essay. First, you can develop your own argument. If you take this option you must discuss your argument with me and get my approval before you begin. Second, you can write on a pre-determined essay prompt below. If you are not comfortable developing your own argument I recommend that you choose this option. Prompt 1: The Sultan’s Dilemma The playtext presents an ironic parable, insofar as the characters’ actions do not reflect their allegorical names. Prompt 2: The Sultan’s Dilemma Which secondary character demonstrates the most integrity throughout the narrative? Prompt 3: “MASTER HAROLD” … and the boys. Using evidence from throughout the playtext, does Willie offer a convincing argument for the need to avoid violence after Hally disrespects Sam? Prompt 4: “MASTER HAROLD” … and the boys. What is the role of women (both present and implied characters) in the development of the playtext’s themes?