Innovations High School Course Syllabus
Second Quarter of 2011-2012 School Year
Teacher: Mrs. Fakhrid-Deen
Subject Area: Language Arts
Course Title: African-American Literature & Drama
Credit: .5
Email: [email protected]
Course Description:
This course will utilize a variety of instructional methods to enhance students’ reading, writing,
and speaking skills. This course examines dramatic and literary works written by historical
(Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights/Black Arts Movement) and contemporary African-American
novelists, essayists, activists, playwrights, and screenwriters. Students will learn literary analysis,
writing mechanics and the basics of dramatic performance. The overarching questions of the
quarter are: 2) Q: “How do plays and films explore social, political and historical issues within the
African-American experience?” and “How do the performing arts relay history?”
The works covered will focus on the following Black Literary Motifs: Resisting Oppression;
Searching for Identity and access to the American Dream; Language Variety and its Significance;
and Cultural Criticism. Students will also construct essays, poetry and creative works. Students
will critically analyze selected works to determine recurrent themes, motifs and intertextuality.
The class will have a strong and continuous focus on reading literacy, writing mechanics, essay
construction, and arts integration. We shall examine the elements of style within literature, and
this class will encourage students to begin or continue developing their own literary and dramatic
voices.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
1. Recognize and use standard English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure
correctly.
2. Write sentences with greater clarity, variety and style.
3. Write creative non-fiction, stylized poetry and academic essays.
4. Better understand the diversity within African-American culture through a literary lens.
5. Comprehend, analyze and discuss relevant literature and its historical and present-day
significance.
6. Build vocabulary skills through word analysis and improve reading comprehension and
grammar.
7. Craft publishable academic and creative writing.
Innovations Grading Scale:
A = 94-100%
B = 86-93%
C = 77-85%
F = 76% and below
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
Evaluation methods include grading of class work, quizzes, exams, group projects, homework,
and class participation/attendance.
Quizzes
20%
Presentations
10%
Class work/Participation 30%
Projects
20%
Essays
20%
Total
100%
Extra Credit
10%
Late Work Policy:
Late work is only accepted in extreme circumstances. In order to obtain late assignments from
me, you must bring in an authorized excuse to Mrs. Anderson, who must verify it. You must have
a valid excuse for missing school. Late work must be obtained from me and completed within
one week of your return from your absence. Otherwise, work turned in after the due date will not
be accepted.
Course Materials Needed (Students must bring each item to class everyday or you will be
written up after the second offense of each week.):
Two pens, English notebook, loose leaf paper, English folder, flash memory drive
You should use college-ruled, loose-leaf paper for your writing. Do NOT use paper torn from a
spiral-bound pad. For your journal, please use a notebook.
Expectations:
Students will respect themselves, the instructor and each other at all times, maintaining a safe,
engaging and productive atmosphere. Students will come prepared and ready to participate in all
class activities. Students will abide by all Innovations High School (IHS) discipline codes. Please
review them if you are unfamiliar. Daily points will be deducted for profanity, incessant
talking and the use of phones and MP3 players. Please, no electronic devices (IPods, cell
phones), hats, hoodies, jackets, food, or drink. There is absolutely no sleeping in class for any
reason. If you are ill, go to the Dean’s office. Students will receive disciplinary action if the rules
are not adhered to.
Primary Texts Used:
The Norton Anthology of African-American Literature (Gates)
Various plays; “The Broken Banjo" by Willis Richardson, “The Dutchman” by A. Baraka, “A Raisin
in the Sun” by L. Hansberry
Writer’s Inc.
African-American History textbook
"The Sky is Gray" by Ernest Gaines
Project-Based Learning:
The majority of units will include a creative project based on the material studied. Students are
encouraged to go beyond the written word to include various forms of expression—in short, to be
creative. Projects might be presented as PowerPoint, art, music, drama, etc. Students will also
participate in formal group projects.
Extra Credit Opportunities:
Extra credit will only be available for students who have 85% attendance or higher. Students may
earn 10 extra credit points for every independent reading text completed (with an oral or written
report). I may give additional minor extra credit opportunities on days when attendance is low.
Assignments:
ALL essay assignments that will be turned in for a grade MUST BE TYPED, double-spaced,
Times New Roman or Arial, 12 point font. I will not accept nor grade work that does not adhere
to these standards. You must save your own work to Google docs (preferred method), flashdrive
or email. This is not the instructor’s responsibility and you will need this work for your senior
portfolio.
Computer Use:
Computers are to be used for class-related work only. You are not to use social networking sites,
music sites or play games. You will be written up, receive detention and/or points will be deducted
for violating these rules.
Course Schedule/Timeline
Include general topics and assignments covered each week.
Week 1: Unwrapping the Harlem Renaissance and Chicago Renaissance;
Elements of Theater; Poetry Analysis
Week 2: Poetry and Theater Terminology, Poets of the Harlem Renaissance and
Chicago Renaissance and group analysis; Read and analyze A Raisin in the Sun
Week 3: Poetry and Theater Terminology, Read and analyze A Raisin in the Sun;
Read and analyze The Broken Banjo
Week 4: Theater Terminology, Read and analyze A Raisin in the Sun; Read and
analyze the Broken Banjo, Essay Writing
Week 5: Theater Terminology, Read and analyze A Raisin in the Sun; Read and
analyze the Broken Banjo, Essay Writing
Week 6: Midterm Exam; Dramaturgy; Play production of The Broken Banjo
Week 7: Dramaturgy; Play production of The Broken Banjo; Research on The
Harlem Renaissance
Week 8: Dramaturgy; Play production of The Broken Banjo; Research on The
Harlem Renaissance
Week 9: Dramaturgy; Play production of The Broken Banjo; Research on The
Harlem Renaissance; Re- teaching
Week 10: Play production; Final Exam