IDIS 280: TAKING on CULTURAL AFFAIRS AT SU

Theme: Speaking American in the 21st Century

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Dr. James Hatley
Office: Philosophy House, Upstairs
Office Hours: Tues. 1:30-3:30; Fri. 1:00-3:00
Phone: 410-677-5072 (office); 410-543-7635 (home).


COURSE DESCRIPTION:  We are going to get as deeply as we can into the various cultural offerings available to us both on and off campus during the Fall Semester.  While the course is loosely organized on the announced theme of Language and Culture in America, we will allow the various events we attend to guide our discussion as well.

 

 

TEXTS

Book:   Do You Speak American, by Robert MacNiel

Article: “What Do You Lose, When You Lose Your Language?”, by Joshua Fishman

Website for Do You Speak American: http://www.pbs.org/speak/

Webpage for Cultural Events Series: Cultural Events Series

Films: Pow Wow Highway, Crown Heights


GRADING

Class Presentation...................................................25%
Attendance.............................................................25%
Final Paper.............................................................40%
Reports for 3 outside events………………………10%

WRITTEN WORK:

In addition to the writing assignments listed below, there will be in-class writing assignments, often to be done in conjunction with small group discussions.

Final Paper:  Your final paper, due on finals week, will develop a theme you found particularly important in the events you attended.  The paper is to be at least five pages long.

Reading Questions/Class Presentation:  Three evenings of class presentations will occur.  These will be based on the curriculum available at the following web site: http://www.pbs.org/speak/education/curriculum/college/manual/

Attendance and Reports for Outside Events: Students are responsible for attending all events listed below.  Students are also to attend an additional three events, including at least one gallery opening and one literary reading, for which they will write single page reports.  Complete Listing of Campus Cultural Events

STUDENT WRITING CENTER: At the University Writing Center at Herb’s Place, trained consultants are ready to help you at any stage of the writing process. It is often helpful for writers to share their work with an attentive reader, and consultations allow writers to test and refine their ideas before having to hand papers in or to release documents to the public. In accordance with Salisbury University’s mission to foster a student-centered learning community, the writing center is a student-centered place; therefore, visits are not mandatory. However, all undergraduates are encouraged to make use of this important student service.

 

HONOR CODE: Each written assignment should be accompanied by the following statement, dated and signed by the student: “This assignment was written entirely by me in my own words, except for quotations from and references to another person’s work, which I have been careful to point out.  I have in no way made use of the words or ideas of other persons without attribution.”  

WEEK ONE/AUGUST 31st:  Introduction to Course Theme: “Language and Culture.”   Film: Pow Wow Highways

                        Helpful Websites: Pow-Wows Introduced I  Pow-Wows Introduced II  Vision Quests

Thoughts Questions for Class on September 14th:  1) In what ways do Buddy and Philbert struggle to regain or retain their culture?  2)  Do you think you share this struggle with them?  In what ways, if yes?  If no, why not?  3)  What does Fishman (in the essay, “What Do You Lose When You Lose Your Language?”) say about the relationship of language to culture?  Can you think of an example from your own life that shows this relation?

WEEK TWO/SEPTEMBER 7th:  Musical Concert at Holloway Hall Auditorium/Chad Jones and Derek Bowden.  Discussion immediately afterward.

                        Helpful Websites:     Hovhaness     Hanson     Avro Part     Avro Part Samplings/Amazon.com

OFF CAMPUS EVENT: Sept 10-11: Nanticoke Indian Powwow in Millsboro, Delaware.  Traditional intertribal pow wow with representatives from more then forty tribes expected.  Plenty of vendors, demonstrations, and children's activities.  Sunday morning worship service.  More info

WEEK THREE/SEPTEMBER 14th:   Discussion of Thought Questions on Pow Wow Highway, as well as: “What Do You Lose, When You Lose Your Language?”  Film: Crown Heights.

OUTSIDE OF CLASS EVENT: Salisbury University Family Fun Day September 17, 2005 (Show times: 12 Noon and 1 PM) Anansegromma of Ghana Tubóm Tubóm: African Dance, Drum, Story and Games

WEEK FOUR/SEPTEMBER 22nd (THURSDAY!): Keynote Lecture by Robert MacNeil, 7 pm at Holloway Hall Auditorium. 

                        NOT required but recommended: John Barth, Author, Tuesday, September 20 at 8:00 p.m. in the Wicomico Room, GUC

WEEK FIVE/SEPTEMBER 28th:  Class Presentations I

                        READING: Do You Speak American:  pgs. 1-48

                        VIDEO: Do You Speak American: pt. I

                        Website/Video: Oprah Interviews Maya Angelou

OFF CAMPUS EVENT: Oct 1-2: Lenapehauken 4th Annual Pow Wow, sponsored by the Lenapehauken Education and Research Center.  Fort Whaley, Worcester County.  Camping available at the Campground. Traditional dancing, cultural demonstrations, children's educational tent, vendors and more.  More info...

WEEK SIX/OCTOBER 5th: Dance Concert by Sudha Bhagwat. 7 pm in Holloway Hall Auditorium.  Discussion immediately afterward at Cool Beans.

OUTSIDE OF CLASS EVENT: Andrey Techekmazov (cello) and Tatiana Goncharova (piano) All-Russian Program Thursday, October 6, 2005 Great Hall of Holloway Hall

WEEK SEVEN/OCTOBER 12th:  Dress Rehearsal of Mother Courage and her Children: Bobby Biron Theater, Fulton Hall.

OUTSIDE OF CLASS EVENT: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre

Public Performance:  Thursday, October 13, 8 PM

School Performance: Friday, October 14, (Tentative) 10 AM

WEEK EIGHT/OCTOBER 19th: Lecture by Patrick Michaels on Global Warming, Holloway Hall Auditorium.  Discussion immediately afterward at Cool Beans.

WEEK NINE/OCTOBER 27th (THURSDAY!): Concert by Lila Downs, Singer. 7 pm in Holloway Hall Auditorium.  Lila Downs

WEEK TEN/NOVEMBER 2nd:  Class Presentations II

READING: Do You Speak American:  pgs. 49-114

VIDEO: Do You Speak American: pt. II

LINK FOR CHICANO AMERICAN  ENGLISH: Chicano American English  Presenters: Shana, Rosie, Michelle, Dan, Shaunta

OUTSIDE OF CLASS EVENT: Orchid Ensemble featuring University Chorale Saturday, November 5, 2005 Holloway Hall Auditorium 7 PM

WEEK ELEVEN/NOVEMBER 8th:  (TUESDAY!) Dance/Theatre/Music Concert by Shizumi Shigeto Manale.  7 pm at the Wicomico Room.

                                                OUTSIDE OF CLASS EVENT:  SU Dance Concert under the Direction of Dr. Victoria Hutchinson, Wed.-Sat.

WEEK TWELVE/NOVEMBER 16th:  6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Islam Awareness Week - "Truth and Consequences: Islam and Media Sensationalism"  Lecture by Anisa Mehdi Holloway Hall, Great Hall    Meet afterward at Cool Beans 8: 15 pm.

            Anisa Mehdi Web Site

NOVEMBER 23rd: THANKSGIVING WEEK—No Class

WEEK THIRTEEN/NOVEMBER 30th:  Panel Discussion on Foreign Language Requirement at Salisbury.  Great Hall of Holloway Hall at 7 pm. 

Field Trip: “Cuttin-Up” at the Arena State in Washington, D.C.  Sunday, December 4th at 7 pm.   Leave in school

 van from in front of the Guerreri Center at 3:30 pm.

WEEK FOURTEEN/DECEMBER 7th:  CLASS

READING: Do You Speak American:  pgs. 115-202

            VIDEO: Do You Speak American: pt. III

            LINK FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN ENGLISH: African American English  Presenters: Karla, Melissa, Algerson, Nicole, Portia, Sara

WEEKFIFTEEN/Finals:  Final Paper and Reports from Outside Events Due