XIDS 2100

XIDS 2100

XIDS 2100--Representing American Women

Summer 2009—Session IV

Dr. Debra MacComb

Office: TLC 2-232 Phone: 678-839-4869 email: dmaccomb@westga.edu

Website: http://www.westga.edu/~dmaccomb/

Office Hours: Daily at 2:30 and by appointment.

Course Description

Through the analysis of representations in the literary and visual arts of both the high and popular cultures, this course will examine a range of identities, images and ideologies associated with the American woman from the early Republic to the modern period.

Course Goals

· To develop both reading and visual comprehension skills in response to works of art;

· To analyze literary and visual arts by means of applying established aesthetic criteria;

· To develop the ability to synthesize from diverse modes of artistic expression common ideas and ideals

· To develop awareness of how artistic expression both shapes and is shaped by specific cultural contexts as well as by more generalized cultural ideals.

Required Texts

Chopin. The Awakening (Dover)

Fern, Ruth Hall(Penguin)

Foster, The Coquette (Oxford)

Jacobs, Incidents in the life of a Slave Girl (Signet)

James, Daisy Miller (Dover)

Evaluation

Each student is responsible for:

Particpation 15%

Students will come to class prepared to contribute to class discussion of assigned readings and materials presented in class. While attendance is not the same as participation, it would be impossible to receive a passing particpation grade without it.

Quizzes 10%

A brief quiz will preface discussion of each of the novels.

Midterm Exams 50% (2@ 25% each)

Identification, definition, short analytical answer.

[Sample questions]

Media reports 25%

The last regular class meeting (7/30) will be devoted to group presentations. Each group (2-3 students each) will be asked to research representations of American women found in the popular culture of the last thirty years. These should be icons/ideals that have influenced the culture to the extent that they have become powerful role models to emulate or reject, not actual women. Possible sources include magazines, television, music and/or music videos, commercial products, and film. Each group will give a 15-20 minute report.

Course Policies and Expectations:

· I expect students to take their reading seriously, taking notes in preparation for class discussion and thinking about the link between the cultural models discussed and their literary representation. On the days scheduled for discussion of novels, bring your books! Readings are to be completed by the beginning of the day they appear on the syllabus.

· Participation is not the same as attendance. Attendance is arriving on time for class and staying for its duration; participation is active and informed contribution to class discussion by means of thoughtful questions and observations.

· In a course in which each meeting constitutes a week's work of material, even one absence is cause for concern; two absences will lower the final grade; three absences will result in failure.

· You are expected to be in class on time and remain for the entire period. Tardiness is rude and disruptive; each late arrival or early departure will count as an absence.

· Neither daily reading quizzes nor group reports can be made-up.

· If you have an emergency that will keep you from meeting a course deadline, contact me immediately to explain your situation. If you persuade me of the legitimacy of your emergency, we can work out a mutually agreeable revised due-date.

· Respect the opinions of your peers; if you disagree--with me or one of your classmates--by all means express your disagreement, but do so in a constructive way that fosters learning. Also, listen to your peers' comments and questions with the same attention you would like others to give to you.

· Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off and removed from your desk during class. Text messaging will not be tolerated. We'll have a short break each day; if you need to make a phone call, do it then.

· Special Needs: If you have a registered disability that will require accommodation, please see me at the beginning of the semester. If you have a disability that you have not yet registered through the Disabled Student Services Office, please contact Dr. Ann Phillips in 137 Parker Hall at 678-839-6428

Week 1

M 7/6 Course introduction

“Engendering America”

Donne, "Eligie: On My Mistress Going to Bed"

“Vespucci Awakens a Sleeping America”

“America”

T 7/7 Revolutionary Daughters and Republican Mothers

Liberty's Daughter

“Keep Within Compass”

“America as the Land of Freedom”

“A New Touch on the Times”

“Deborah Sampson”