Course | Madison College Outline of Instruction

20801212Ethnic Literature

Course Information

Description

Students will read dramas, essays, novels, poetry, or short stories through the lens of race, ethnicity, language, and identity in a multicultural society. Texts include authors identifying as African American, Arab American, Asian American, Jewish American, Latinx, Native American, or multiracial. Readings will represent multiple ethnic groups, but specific authors and genres will vary by instructor.

Total Credits

Course Competencies

Interpret how various genres of ethnic literature address issues of cultural identity, race, gender, ethnicity, and nationality.

Assessment Strategies

Written, Oral, Discussion, or Reflection

Criteria

You identify the key themes and motifs related to cultural identity, race, gender, ethnicity, and nationality in various genres of ethnic literature.

You identify the conventions, structures, and characteristics of various genres, such as poetry, fiction, drama, and non-fiction, as they appear in ethnic literature.

You analyze how authors of ethnic literature adapt, subvert, or reimagine traditional genre conventions to better represent their unique experiences and perspectives.

You recognize the use of innovative literary techniques in ethnic literature, such as non-linear narratives, fragmentation, or genre blending, to represent complex ethnic experiences and challenge traditional literary forms.

You use information from multiple sources to develop a comprehensive understanding of how ethnic literature addresses these issues across various genres.
Interpret the language, imaginative voice, and literary or rhetorical strategies used by authors to shape the content in ethnic literature.

Assessment Strategies

Written, Oral, Discussion, or Reflection

Criteria

You recognize the literary devices, techniques, and strategies employed by authors to convey their perspectives on these issues within different genres.

You interpret the symbolism, metaphors, and other figurative language used by authors to explore and communicate their ideas about cultural identity, race, gender, ethnicity, and nationality.

You engage in critical discussions about the potential multiple interpretations of symbolism, metaphors, and other figurative language used in ethnic literature.

You recognize how the characters, settings, and plot developments in ethnic literature reflect and contribute to the discussion of these issues.

You examine how authors use their lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, and unique perspectives to create representations of their communities' realities and challenges.

You assess significance of language, including the use of dialects, code-switching, and bilingualism, in ethnic literature as a reflection of cultural identity and experience.

You apply MLA documentation format, including signal phrases and a Works Cited page, to differentiate your ideas from the ideas in texts.
Examine how ethnic literature represents social issues like prejudice, discrimination, and social inequality.

Assessment Strategies

Written, Oral, Discussion, or Reflection

Criteria

You identify specific instances of prejudice, discrimination, and social inequality as depicted in ethnic literature.

You identify the ways in which ethnic literature gives voice to marginalized communities and individuals, exposing the realities of their experiences with prejudice, discrimination, and social inequality.

You describe how authors evoke strong emotional responses from readers to create connections with characters' struggles, triumphs, and inner lives, ultimately fostering empathy and understanding for diverse experiences.

You assess the role of ethnic literature in raising awareness about prejudice, discrimination, and social inequality, and in advocating for social change and justice.

You engage in discussions about the representation of social issues in ethnic literature, considering diverse perspectives and experiences.
Analyze the representation of power dynamics and its impact on individuals and communities by authors of ethnic literature.

Assessment Strategies

Written, Oral, Discussion, or Reflection

Criteria

You identify various forms of power dynamics, such as racial, economic, political, and social hierarchies, as portrayed in ethnic literature.

You examine how authors depict the ways in which power is distributed, maintained, and challenged within and between communities in ethnic literature.

You interpret the use of literary devices, such as symbolism, metaphor, and irony, to expose and critique the impact of power imbalances on individuals and communities.

You examine the strategies employed by characters in ethnic literature to resist, subvert, or transform oppressive power structures, and assess the outcomes of these efforts.

You evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies employed by characters to resist or challenge oppressive power structures, providing evidence-based arguments to support your analysis.
Analyze how ethnic literature challenges, subverts, or responds to dominant cultural narratives and stereotypes.

Assessment Strategies

Written, Oral, Discussion, or Reflection

Criteria

You identify dominant cultural narratives and stereotypes that are prevalent in society and how they are reflected in literature.

You recognize the ways in which ethnic literature presents counter-narratives that challenge or subvert dominant cultural narratives and stereotypes.

You examine how authors of ethnic literature use characterization, dialogue, and narrative voice to deconstruct and critique stereotypical representations of their communities.

You interpret how ethnic literature gives voice to the diverse experiences and perspectives within ethnic communities, resisting the homogenization imposed by dominant cultural narratives.
Relate the major cultural, historical, and political contexts to the production and reception of ethnic texts.

Assessment Strategies

Written, Oral, Discussion, or Reflection

Criteria

You identify and explain the key cultural influences that shape the themes, styles, and perspectives in selected ethnic literary works.

You analyze how historical events and movements, such as colonialism, immigration, and civil rights struggles, impact the creation and interpretation of ethnic texts.

You assess the role of ethnic literature in reflecting, challenging, and transforming cultural, historical, and political realities.

You consider the impact of cultural assimilation, acculturation, and cultural preservation on the production and reception of ethnic texts.
Appraise the relationships between ethnic authors and their diverse audiences, both within and outside their cultural groups.

Assessment Strategies

Written, Oral, Discussion, or Reflection

Criteria

You identify instances of the white gaze in ethnic literature, examining how it shapes the portrayal and perception of characters of color.

You discuss the impact of the white gaze on the creative process of ethnic writers, considering how it may influence their narrative choices and self-representation.

You examine the challenges and opportunities for cross-cultural understanding when readers from outside an ethnic group engage with ethnic texts.

You discuss the role of ethnic literature in fostering empathy, cultural awareness, and solidarity among readers from different ethnic backgrounds.

You engage in respectful and constructive dialogue with peers from diverse backgrounds, acknowledging and valuing different interpretations and responses to ethnic literature.

You demonstrate openness to learning from the experiences and perspectives of others, even when they differ from your own.
Describe the cultural and political factors that influence the evolution of literary canons, considering issues of representation, diversity, and cultural value.

Assessment Strategies

Written, Oral, Discussion, or Reflection

Criteria

You investigate how dominant cultural values and ideologies shape the criteria used to determine which literary works are included in the canon and deemed culturally significant.

You identify the ongoing debates surrounding the cultural value and relevance of canonical texts, considering arguments for both preserving traditional works and expanding the canon to include more diverse perspectives.

You examine how social and political movements, such as civil rights, feminism, and postcolonialism, have challenged traditional canons and advocated for greater representation of marginalized voices.

You analyze the impact of changing demographics and increasing cultural diversity on the demand for more inclusive and representative literary canons.

You critically evaluate the arguments for and against the inclusion of specific ethnic literary works in the canon, considering the implications for representation, diversity, and cultural value.
Compare and contrast how ethnic authors address similar questions and social issues in literature.

Assessment Strategies

Written, Oral, Discussion, or Reflection

Criteria

You identify common themes, such as identity, belonging, discrimination, and social justice, that emerge across literary works by authors from different ethnic backgrounds.

You analyze how authors from different ethnic groups approach these shared themes in distinct ways, shaped by their unique cultural experiences, histories, and perspectives.

You examine how the intersection of various aspects of identity, such as race, ethnicity, gender, class, and sexuality, influence the ways in which ethnic authors address similar questions and social issues in their works.

You analyze how the historical contexts in which ethnic authors are writing shape their perspectives on and treatments of similar social issues and questions.

You demonstrate the ability to consider multiple viewpoints and engage in critical self-reflection when comparing and contrasting the approaches of different ethnic authors to similar questions and social issues.

You apply MLA formatting and documentation to written products.
Reflect on how the themes and issues explored in ethnic literature connect to your own experiences and understanding of the world.

Assessment Strategies

Written Product

Oral Presentation

Reflection

Criteria

You identify themes and issues in ethnic literature that resonate with your personal experiences, such as family dynamics, cultural identity, discrimination, or social change.

You engage in self-reflection to identify and challenge your own biases, assumptions, and privileges in light of the perspectives and experiences presented in ethnic literature.

You discuss how your understanding of the world has evolved or been challenged by the themes and issues explored in ethnic literature, and reflect on the ongoing process of personal growth and learning.

You examine how the themes and issues explored in ethnic literature relate to current social, political, and cultural debates, and consider how these connections inform your understanding of the world.