Study and practice of good writing; topics derived from reading and discussing stories, poems, essays, and plays. Cannot be taken if student has already received a grade of 2.0 or higher in either ENGL 111, ENGL 121, or ENGL 131.
Course Title: Introduction to African American Literature
English 111 is a practical course where you will develop and practice effective writing habits that will prepare you for the varied demands of university-wide writing and beyond. This course is reading- and writing-intensive. Because English 111 is built on the idea that writing is a process, you will be required to complete exercises that will help you develop critical reading and writing skills, prepare you for class discussions, and teach you the process of writing longer essays. Expect to be reading and writing every night.
To help you develop and practice the English 111 writing goals (see "Student learning goals" below), we will be studying literature written about or written by African Americans. We will use the following kinds of questions to read and write about these course materials: What is "African American" literature and culture? How does the literary form provide particular definitions of African/American culture?
Possible texts include ones by Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, James Weldon Johnson, Nella Larsen, and Toni Morrison. The list will be finalized by the first week of Spring Quarter.
Student learning goals
The UW Expository Writing Program Outcomes are the main learning objectives for this course. More information can be found at:
Click on the link to "outcomes" to read the specific learning objectives of EWP course that fulfill the C-requirement.
General method of instruction
Class time will be split between instruction in compositional techniques and discussion of the reading material.
An interest in studying and questioning ideas about African American literature and culture.
Class assignments and grading
Assignments include (but are not limited to) course readings, in-class writing activities, peer review, short homework assignments, and conferences. As is standard for all 100-level composition classes, students will be required to complete 5-6 short papers, 2 major papers, and revisions of those papers for the final portfolio in the course of the class.
Grades will be assigned according to EWP standards: 30% of the grade is based on participation throughout the quarter, and 70% of the grade is based on the quality of the final portfolio.