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Contemporary American Experience
Spring 2007
T/Th 12:30-1:45, TLC 023
Patricia Hart, JAMM & American Studies
Administration 337 Office hours: M/W 10:30-noon and by appointment
Email: psh@uidaho.edu
Contemporary American Experience website: http://www.class.uidaho.edu/cae_core/
Welcome to the second semester of Contemporary American Experience. This semester CAE explores how Americans are shaped by social concepts and experiences of class and social stratification, gender and sexuality, and race and racism. We explore contemporary American experience using interdisciplinary methods applied to a variety of "texts," including essay, memoir, documentary film, and the mass media. The goal is to help you improve your strategic reading, critical thinking, writing, and oral communication skills while you deepen your understanding of significant and enduring influences in American culture. Attendance at three evening events is required.
Preparation, attendance, and meaningful participation are required and are the keys to successful completion of the course. I reserve the right to adjust the final grade for lack of attendance and participation. If you miss more than five classes, you will likely fail the class. Core discovery classes are intentionally designed to help you develop competence and confidence in analysis and the development and expression of coherent thought.
Always read assignments before you get here and bring the assigned text to class with you. You must be prepared by reading assignments before you come to class because class time is spent in analysis, discussion, and presentation.
Your considered opinions are highly valued, and the rules of civil discourse guide the give and take of discussion. By this we mean the obvious, such as respect, consideration, and tolerance—the basics that create a safe place for wide-ranging, intense, and creative sharing of ideas. We help each other learn in this class through careful listening and collaborative interaction.
Late work or make-ups are not allowed except for circumstances beyond your control. Bring written excuses for the date and time absent from class with you if you need to make up an assignment. In-class and participation assignments generally cannot be made up.
Academic honesty is essential to intellectual growth and academic exchange. All rules of originality pertain. Those who transgress will be reported to the Dean of Students, according to current university practice. Read over and sign the academic honesty agreement. I don’t expect you to have a problem; however, if you have any questions about academic honesty, please contact me. I’m happy to provide guidance and help you sort out these important matters.
Required texts available from the UI Bookstore:
Roberta Fiske-Rusciano, Experiencing Race, Class, and Gender in the United States, 4th Ed.
Barbara Ehrenreich, Nickled and Dimed
Philip Garrison, Because I don't have wings
Readings on line (OL): http://www.class.uidaho.edu/cae_core/caelinks.htm
Course requirements, in brief, include:
Three (3) 2-page response papers, one on each out of class meeting (5 each) 15 percent
Two (2) 3-page topical papers or special topics essays (10 each) 20 percent
Three (3) reading quizzes (10 points each) 30 percent
Media Notebook and analysis, handed in twice during the semester (10 each) 20 percent
Research, preparation, and presentation of research project 10 percent
Preparation, attendance, and participation 5 percent
Each assignment will be described separately in detail, but generally all written assignments should be double-spaced in 12-point type, on one side of white paper, stapled once in the upper left-hand corner and turned in at class time on the date indicated on the syllabus.