ENGL 359 M Topics in World Literature Immigration Fiction

Spring 2015
Professor Information
Professor

Dr. Cheryl Duffus, Associate Professor, Department of English

Language and Literature

Office

Craig 206 B

Phone

x4409

Email

cduffus@gardner-webb.edu
NOTE: All Gardner-Webb University students and faculty must use their
Gardner-Webb University email addresses for conducting academic
business.

Email
Availability Please note that you should expect at least a 24-hour window for a response to
an email or other electronic communication. During university holidays and
breaks, that window may be longer.
Office Hours: MW 10-11 am, 12-1 pm, and 2-3 pm; TR 10:30-11:30 am and 2:30-3:30 pm; F
10-11 am
Course Description
Course Description: This section of English 359: Topics in World Literature will focus

on contemporary Immigrant literature of the Americas. We will focus on Hispanic

writers from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Colombia as well as two Mexican-American
writers. We will also watch at least two films as part of the literature of this course.
Questions to be explored:
How can we define an immigrant identity?
How can we define immigrant literature? Borderland literature? "American"
literature?
What does it mean to live in the hyphen?
What are the socio-economic contexts of immigration?
What is a national identity?
What is cultural identity?
Opportunities will be provided for the English Education major to examine applications of the
course content in the secondary classroom.
Prerequisites

ENGL 102
Students who have completed these prerequisites are expected to be able to:
! Compose essays using adequate paragraph development and the different modes of
writing (argument, analysis, personal reflection, etc.).
! Identify their writing strengths and weaknesses.
! Demonstrate facility with paraphrasing and quoting using MLA documentation
! Assess appropriately when it is necessary to acknowledge ideas and information
found elsewhere (Google, textbook, etc.).
English 359 Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Identify and describe terms, concepts, and debates in contemporary Immigrant literature from
the Americas.
Understand the importance of cultural, social, and historical contexts in literature.
Analyze literature applying the criteria in objectives one and two
Compose literary analyses applying an understanding of the above three objectives
Demonstrate oral communication and interpersonal skills.
Develop leadership skills
Apply appropriate information literacy techniques
Connect the importance of the educator as a theorist and practitioner and the four unifying
threads of the learner and the learning, methodology, social context, and professional
development. (For English Education majors only)

Gardner-Webb University General Education Competencies

1.
2.
3.
4.

Students will develop skills in formulating well organized thoughts for the
purpose of effective communication.
Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze written, oral, or visual forms of
communication and create appropriate responses.
Students will compare and contrast intra- and intercultural realities to cultivate
attributes necessary for adapting to and functioning in a globalized world.
Students will develop skills in effective research using traditional and technologybased research methods.
Course Materials

Required books: (available in the University campus shop and elsewhere, ebooks acceptable).
Jorge Franco. Paradise Travel, A Novel. (2001) Trans. Katherine Silver. Picador, 2006.
Julia Alvarez, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, Algonquin Books; Reprint edition
(January 12, 2010), ISBN-10: 156512975X, ISBN-13: 978-1565129757
Cristina Garcia, Dreaming in Cuban, Ballantine Books (February 10, 1993), ISBN-10:

0345381432, ISBN-13: 978-0345381439

Junot Diaz, Drown, Riverhead Trade; First Edition (July 1, 1997), ISBN-10: 1573226068,
ISBN-13: 978-1573226066
Gloria Anzaldua, Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. Aunt Lute Books; 4 edition
(June 12, 2012), ISBN-10: 1879960850, ISBN-13: 978-1879960855
Sandra Cisneros, Woman Hollering Creek: And Other Stories, Vintage; 1st Vintage
contemporaries ed edition (March 3, 1992), ISBN-10: 0679738568, ISBN-13: 978-0679738565
Carlos Fuentes, The Old Gringo, Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 1st edition (February 20, 2007),
ISBN-10: 0374530521, ISBN-13: 978-0374530525
Other Required Materials:
MLA documentation guidelines. Purdue Universitys OWL site is an excellent resource:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
Paper and a writing utensil for in-class work.
Access to a desktop, laptop, or similar electronic device for work done outside of class.
Technology Expectations
! Blackboard, as available through WebbConnect.
! Turnitin.com: Assignments completed outside of class will be submitted using
Turnitin.com, which is linked through Blackboard.
! Regular check-ins with the courses site on Blackboard as well as GWU email.
! A reliable method for accessing the Internet either on campus or elsewhere
! A reliable method for backing up files.
! Word processing software that will create documents to upload to Turnitin.com. It
accepts Word documents as well as PDFs and rtfs.
! For the presentation, students will need to be comfortable navigating a visual presentation
on the classroom screen.
! Students must choose a visual component for the presentation
Grading Policies

In this course, you will receive a numeric grade on all work. All grades will be inputted into the
Blackboard gradebook where an overall course average can be seen. Your numeric grades
should be compared to the chart below in order to determine the equivalent letter grade. Please
check your grades frequently.
Questions About Grades
Contact the professor ASAP, especially if you feel the professor has made a mistake or if you are
worried about your grade. Please note that grades cannot be adjusted or changed to
accommodate outside factors such as scholarship eligibility, etc.
Grading Timeline (Exceptions for Professor Emergencies)
! In-class writing responses/Discussion Board postings are returned within two classes,
usually by the next class, with written comments.
! In-class exams are returned within a week with written comments and a rubric.
! Written work completed outside of class is returned within two weeks. Written as well as
voice comments are available on the Turnitin.com document. A rubric is also provided,
when appropriate.
Department Grading Scale (6-Point Scale)
In order to insure grading consistency, the English Department established the following grading
scale for all English courses. Please contact the Registrars Office if you have any questions
about the chromatic grading scale and how that will impact your GPA and other academic
requirements.
GPA
4.0
4.0
3.67
3.33
3.00
2.67
2.33
2.00
1.67
1.33
1.0
0.67
0

Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF

Numeric Grade
99-100
96-98
94-95
92-93
88-91
86-87
84-85
80-83
78-79
76-77
72-75
70-71
69>

Course Policies and Penalties

Emergency Plans
In case of an on-campus emergency that requires evacuation of the building, please assemble as
quickly as possible at the following location to check in with your professor: the childrens park
behind CSH.
Technological Difficulties
If you are having problems with Internet access in one location, such as your dorm room, you
will need a back-up plan such as going to another location (the Library or a Computer Lab, etc.).
You are also expected to back-up your work. Computer / Internet issues are not an excuse for
late work or missing work. If there is a campus technological problem, emergency, or disaster,
the professor will make accommodations.
Absences
You are expected to attend every class meeting. University policy mandates that attending fewer
than 75% of class meetings will result in automatic failure, the @F grade. This 25% includes
absences due to University activities such as athletics or class trips as well as absences due to
personal illness or family situations. I post absences on the Blackboard gradebook. You may
check that at any time for your total number of absences.
Late work
Every assignment will be docked 5% for every day it is late, including weekends, holidays, and
university breaks. No late work will be accepted more than one week after the due date. In-class
work cannot be made up.
Exceptions: If you have a serious illness or traumatic emergency, you will not receive a
late penalty.
Academic Dishonesty
Using someone else's words or ideas without giving credit with documentation and quotation
marks when appropriate is plagiarism. Someone else includes work by people you know,
material posted or sold on-line, and material printed in books or periodicals. You need to cite
any information you use to help you, even if that information is found in the textbook.
Information you look up on line also needs to be cited, even if it seems like common
knowledge (if you had to look it up, its not common knowledge to you). If you use
information from another class, please acknowledge this as well.
Academic Dishonesty Penalty
It is the English Departments policy that a final grade of FX will be assigned any time a student
submits any draft of a major assignment of which a substantial portion has been falsely
represented as the students own. Minor assignments that are plagiarized will also be
prosecuted according to University Academic Dishonesty Policy. This policy includes both final
drafts and rough drafts submitted either to the instructor, to the Writing Center, or to a peer.
Resubmitting work you have done for another class without receiving prior permission from the
professor will be considered academic dishonesty and will receive the same penalty.
The Final Exam

The final exam is scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2015, 8 am. The final exam schedule is set
by the Registrar and cannot be changed unless you have a truly serious (and, generally,
unexpected) emergency such as a death in the family, a serious illness requiring hospitalization,
or an obligation to be away on University business (e.g., you are an athlete and have a scheduled
game). DO NOT make personal travel plans before or during the final exam date and time.
Personal travel plans are not a sufficient excuse for rescheduling the final exam unless you are
traveling for some an emergency or University event.
Class Cancellation
In the event that class must be cancelled, I will attempt to give you as much notice as possible. I
will notify you over email, if possible, I will post an announcement on Blackboard, and our
department administrative assistant will ALWAYS leave a note on the classroom door. Please
note that if class is cancelled due to instructor illness or emergency, you might have less than 24
hour notice.
Participation and Classroom Conduct
All students are expected to participate in class discussion. All members of the class are
expected to be courteous and respectful to fellow class members as well as the professor and any
visitors to the classroom. A classroom is a welcoming and supportive place for all students,
faculty, and staff, and it is important to respect and to appreciate the differences among us,
including race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or political affiliation. If
anyone feels they have been discriminated against in this classroom or on campus, please contact
the professor.
In addition, the Classroom Conduct Policy from the Student Handbook states the following:
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which does not distract from or
disrupt the educational pursuits of others. Disrespectful, distracting, or disruptive behavior will
be mediated first by the professor. If a resolution cannot be found, then the Vice President and
Dean of Student Development will be asked to intervene.
Electronic Devices
We all need to self-regulate our use of electronic devices, especially smart phones, in a
classroom.
! Voice calls cannot be made during class unless there is an emergency.
! Texting: Students who constantly text during class send the message they are not
engaged or do not consider class to be important. Constant texting will affect students
participation grade.
! Students may not use electronic devices for any reason during an exam.
! Laptop or tablet use during class is not permitted unless the student obtains the
permission of the professor.
Food and Drinks
Do not consume food in class. Beverages are permitted.

Student Support
Course Support
The professor is available to meet or consult with any student as frequently as s/he would like.
! In Person: You are welcome to stop by during office hours. If these are not convenient
for you, the professor can set up an appointment.
! Electronic: Contact the professor over phone, email, Blackboard.
! Peer Contacts your fellow classmates. Exchange information with at least one student.
! Bb Discussion Forums will be provided for students to receive peer support with this
class as well as with other issues or questions
Please contact me ASAP if you are feeling lost or overwhelmed this semester, either in general
or in this class, so that we can work out a solution together.
Noel Program
If your learning or participation in this class might be affected in any way by a disability
recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you will need to do the following:
(1) Register with the Noel Program for Students with Disabilities, located in Frank
Nanney Hall. They are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You are
welcome to stop by in person, contact them over the phone at (704) 406-4270, or
email at disabilityservices@gardner-webb.edu. Website: http://www.gardnerwebb.edu/academics/disability-services/noel-program/index
(2) Educate me about your disability so that I can work with you and the Noel Program to
arrange necessary accommodations.
It is important that you take both of these steps no later than the first week of the semester.
GWU Writing Center, Tucker Student Center Room 237
The Writing Center is a resource for all students, regardless of major or level of study. Writing
Center consultants are fellow students who have a solid grasp of the English language and
writing who also enjoy assisting others. They will help you with developing and revising your
ideas as well as polishing your final draft. You can make an appointment for a consultation in
Webb Connect or walk in to see if there's an available appointment. Visit gardnerwebb.edu/writingcenter for important information like semester hours of operation.
Learning Enrichment and Assistance Program
The Learning Enrichment and Assistance Program (LEAP) provides peer tutoring for GardnerWebb students. Peer tutors will work with students to refine study skills and clarify course
content. Our tutoring is offered on campus in the Tucker Student Center, room 336, next to
the Student Success Center. While we try to meet the needs of our students, we do not have

resources available to offer tutoring in every course/subject. Should tutoring for certain
course/subjects not be available, the student may contact the LEAP program to determine if other
campus resources are available. Students can make an appointment with a peer tutor in
WebbConnect by clicking on Academic Support and Peer Tutoring Appointment Scheduler.
Prior to requesting a tutor, LEAP recommends that an interested student speak first with his/her
professor about concerns in a particular class; professors can provide insight into which areas
need attention or which strategies might be helpful in specific courses. Please contact LEAP by
emailing leap@gardner-webb.edu or visit our website at gardner-webb.edu/leap. Feel free to visit
our office on the third floor of the Tucker Student Center.
Technology Support
Technology Services is Gardner-Webb University's central technology resource. Technology
Services works collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to provide network
security, academic and administrative computing support, email services, software licensing and
management, and technology training. The Technology Services office is located on the first
floor of the O. Max Gardner Hall and is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
http://www.gardner-webb.edu/information/departments/technology-services/index
Emotional and Spiritual Support
1) Pastoral Care at Gardner-Webb University is a ministry that attends the needs of the
University family in times of joy and sorrow and provides resources for spiritual health.
The Office of Christian Life and Service has a Pastoral Care Team that meets weekly to
pray for specific needs on campus and to contact and minister to bereaved students. They
are also available to meet with you and pray with you individually. In addition, this team
facilitates weekly, campus-wide prayer meetings every Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. before The
Verge. http://www.gardner-webb.edu/student-life/christian-life-and-service/pastoralcare/index
2) The Gardner-Webb University Counseling Center provides academic, emotional,
social, and vocational support as well as mental health consultation to students, faculty,
and staff. A team of professionals trained in education and counseling help University
community members in developing constructive life plans, handling crisis situations, and
coping with day-to-day problems. Short-term individual, group, and couples counseling
sessions are available at no additional cost. The University Counseling Center adheres to
the American Counseling Associations code of ethics and operates within a Christian
perspective. All services provided are confidential and no information will be given to
others without the consent of the individual. The University Counseling is located in the
Tucker Student Center and is open for appointments, Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00
p.m. For after-hours emergencies, an on-call counselor can be reached by calling
University Police at (704) 406-4000. http://www.gardner-webb.edu/student-life/studentservices/counseling-services/index
Academic Support

Please contact your academic advisor or Academic Advising if you are experiencing any
difficulties in accomplishing your academic goals, especially if a personal illness, family
situation, or financial difficulty is involved.
http://www.gardner-webb.edu/academics/academic-success-programs/advising/index
No work is accepted after the final exam.
List of Assignments, Points, and Weight
Total Points: 975
Attendance and Participation, 100 points, 10.25%
Discussion Boards (11), 25 points each, 275 points total, 28.2%
Reading Questions (1), 50 points, 5.1%
Journeys (3), 100 points each, 300 points total, 30.8%
Final Exam Project: 100 points, 10.25%
Final Exam Presentations, 50 points, 5.1%
Assignment Formatting
Assignments completed outside of class must be double-spaced and use correct 2009 MLA
formatting of documents, in-text citations, and works cited pages. Points will be deducted for
not conforming to these specifications and for lateness.
Captioning and Transcripts for Assignments
All assignments presented orally as well as any videos or music must be accompanied by
captioning or transcripts. This includes reading questions and presentations.
Assignments as public documents
All work in this class will be public. In other words, other people may be allowed to read it.
Turnitin.com
It is the English departments policy to use Turnitin.com as one tool for encouraging academic
integrity. Assignments completed outside of class will be submitted through Blackboard to
Turnitin.com. There is no need for students to create separate Turnitin.com accounts. You do
not need to interact individually with Turnitin.com at all. Students do need to be aware that via

Blackboard, their papers will be submitted to Turnitin.com and will be scanned and stored.
Participation and Attendance: You are expected to attend class regularly, to complete the
reading, and to bring your books and other materials to class. You are also expected to pay
attention in class and to behave in a professional manner (treat each other with courtesy and
respect). Food is not permitted in class, but beverages are okay. Distractions such as sleeping,
excessive texting, side conversations, doing work for other classes, lateness, leaving early, etc. will
be reflected in your grade. Absences will also be reflected in your grade, although you will not be
penalized for absences due to university activities, personal illness, and family emergencies.
Blackboard Discussion Board Postings: You will post to the Bb discussion board on a regular
basis (11 times this semester). Each response will be one to two well-developed paragraphs in
length, 150 words minimum. You will be given a question to frame your response to, and you are
expected to be thoughtful and to demonstrate you did the reading (if required) by providing specific
details from the text such as quotes.
Reading Questions: For each assigned text, one student will bring in three reading questions.
This student is not responsible for bringing the answers to class, just the questions. The
questions are intended both to give students responsibility for the direction of the class and to
create discussion. Questions should not just state facts or personal likes and dislikes or
summarize previous discussion. Students will sign up for these individually.
Journey Essay Assignments (3) and Final Exam Project (1): These essay assignments will
be designed to work towards a Final Exam Project that synthesizes the students learning for the
semester. Final Exam Projects will be due on the day of Final Exams. Each student will give a
presentation on that day as well.
Grading Criteria
Below Average D or F: Does not meet the minimum requirements. Does not conform to
MLA Guidelines. Does not attempt to seriously complete the assignment and / or does not
follow the guidelines and expectations. Does not demonstrate knowledge of the reading.
Strays off topic significantly.
Average C: Answers question / stays on topic but relies too much on plot summary, personal
like / dislike analysis, and may misrepresent or misinterpret the text. Might stray off topic.
Might not fully conform to MLA Guidelines. Does not show in-depth analysis or critical
thinking. Contains numerous writing errors.
Above Average B: Conforms to MLA Guidelines. Does not rely exclusively on ideas
presented in the class / textbook and does not plagiarize. Does not misinterpret the text.
Answers question / stays on topic. Uses specific details and quotes from the text. Offers
interesting and creative ideas. Goes beyond simple I like / dont like analysis. For the
most part, is well-written but contains writing errors such as typos, misused words, wordy
sentences, and run-ons / comma splices.

Excellent A: Conforms to MLA Guidelines. Does not rely exclusively on ideas presented in
the class / textbook and does not plagiarize. Does not misinterpret the text. Answers
question / stays on topic. Uses specific details and quotes from the text. Offers interesting
and creative ideas. Goes beyond simple I like / dont like analysis. Shows energy and
enthusiasm. Demonstrates a substantial effort to engage in a thoughtful/conversational
dialogue on the assigned reading and course-related topics. Is well-written and contains few
mistakes.
Course Schedule and Due Dates Due Dates Subject to Change
Week 1
Thurs., Jan. 8

Online: First day of class/Getting Started

Discussion Board #1 Due by 11:59, Jan. 8

Week 2
Tues., Jan. 13

Introduction to Course Concepts, Background

Thurs., Jan. 15

Reading due: The Old Gringo, pp. 3-51, Chapters 1-7

Week 3
Tues., Jan. 20
Thurs., Jan. 22

Reading due: The Old Gringo, pp. 51-149, Chapters 8-17

Discussion Board #2 Due by 11:59 pm, Wed., Jan. 21
Reading due: The Old Gringo, pp. 149-199, Chapters 18-23
Reading Questions:

Week 4
Tues., Jan. 27

Discussion Board #3 due: 11:59 pm, Mon., Jan. 26

Reading due: Borderlands/La Frontera, pp. 23-73, Chapters 1-4

Thurs., Jan. 29

Reading due: Borderlands/La Frontera, pp. 75-113, Chapters 5-7

Week 5
Tues., Feb. 3
Thurs., Feb. 5
Week 6
Tues., Feb. 10
Thurs., Feb. 12

Film: Lone Star

Film: Lone Star
Discussion Board #4 due by 11:59 pm, Thurs., Feb. 5
Reading due: Woman Hollering Creek, pp. 1-40
Journey #1 Due, 1:15 pm, Tues., Feb. 10
Reading due: Woman Hollering Creek, pp.43-84
Reading Questions

Week 7
Tues., Feb. 17

Discussion Board #5 due by 11:59 pm, Mon., Feb. 16

Reading due: Woman Hollering Creek, pp.85-165

Thurs., Feb. 19
Week 8
Tues., Feb. 24
Thurs., Feb. 26
Week 9
Tues., March 3
Thurs., March 5
Week 10
Tues., March 10
Thurs., March 12
Week 11
Tues., March 17
Thurs., March 19
Week 12
Tues., March 24
Thurs., March 26

Reading due: How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, pp. 3-103
Reading Questions
Reading due: How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, pp. 107-191
Discussion Board #6 Due by 11:59 pm, Wed., Feb. 5
Reading due: How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, pp. 195-290
Film: Balseros
Film: Balseros
Discussion Board #7 Due by 11:59 Thurs., March 5
Spring Break
Spring Break

Reading due: Dreaming in Cuban, pp. 3-74

Discussion Board #8 Due by 11:59, Wed., March 18
Reading due: Dreaming in Cuban, pp. 75-144
Reading due: Dreaming in Cuban, pp. 145-245
Reading Questions
Reading due: Drown, pp. 3-65
Journey #2 Due, 1:15 pm, Thurs., March 26

Week 13
Tues., March 31
Thurs., April 2
Week 14
Tues., April 7
Thurs., April 9

Discussion Board #9 Due by 11:59, Mon., March 30

Reading due: Drown, pp. 69-140
Easter Break
Reading due: Drown, pp.143-208
Reading Questions
Reading due: Paradise Travel, pp. 3-80

Week 15
Tues., April 14
Thurs., April 16

Discussion Board #10 Due by 11:59, Mon., April 13

Reading due: Paradise Travel, pp. 81-154
Reading due: Paradise Travel, pp. 155-228
Reading Questions

Week 16
Tues., April 21
Thurs., April 23
Week 17
Tues., April 28
Thurs., April 30

Film: Maria, Full of Grace

Journey #3 Due by 1:15 pm, Tues., April 21
Film: Maria, Full of Grace
Discussion Board #11 Due by 11:59 pm, Thurs., April 23
Work on Final Exam Projects
Last Day of Class, Work on Final Exam Projects

Final Exam: Monday, May 5, 8 am.