ENG. 3643, AFRICAN-AMERICAN FOLKLORE           

Spring 2008

Wilson 328, 11:00-12:15 PM

rburns@astate.edu

Note: I revised syllabus on 3-13-08

Instructor:  Richard Burns  

Office:  Wilson 213  Office phone: 972-2164

Office hours: TR: 2-4 PM. (or by appointment)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

African-American culture and history as illuminated through folk and popular music, oral narratives, and other New World black traditions.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Zora Neale Hurston, Mules and Men. New York: Harper and Row, 1990 [1935]. 

Lawrence W. Levine, Black Culture and Black Consciousness: Afro-American Folk Thought from Slavery to Freedom.  Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007 [1977].

Robert Palmer, Deep Blues.  New York: Penguin Books, 1982.

COURSE OUTLINE (new and improved): Reading assignments are due prior to each day of class.  The following is subject to modification.

Jan. 15:  COURSE INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW; BASIC CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS.

17: Lawrence W. Levine, "Preface." In Black Culture and Black Consciousness, pp. ix-xvi.

22:  BLACK FOLK BELIEF. Lawrence W. Levine, "Chapter One: The Sacred World of the Black Slaves" and

24: BLACK FOLK BELIEF. (cont’d)

29: THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN FOLKTALE: ORIGIN AND MEANING.  Lawrence W. Levine, "Chapter Two: The Meaning of the Slave Tales."  In Black Culture and Black Consciousness, pp. 81-135.

31: THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN FOLKTALE I. Mules and Men, pp. xiii-90.

Feb. 5:  THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN FOLKTALE II. Mules and Men, pp. 91-179.

7:  FREEDOM AND THE FATE OF THE SACRED WORLD.  Lawrence W. Levine, "Chapter Three: Freedom, Culture, and Religion."  In Black Culture and Black Consciousness, pp. 138-189.

12: HOODOO, RITUAL, AND FOLK BELIEFS. Mules and Men, pp. 183-246.

14: HOODOO, RITUAL, AND FOLK BELIEFS (cont’d).

19: ARRIVAL AND SURVIVAL: THE MAINTENANCE OF AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN TRADITION IN FOLK ART AND CRAFT. Handout of article by John Michael Vlach.

21: BLACK CRAFT TRADITIONS IN THE SOUTH. Discussion of research project. You must have your project approved and should turn in a one-page description of your topic, your sources of information, etc. by March 13, but no later than April 1^st.

26: Mid-term exam.

28: AFRICAN-AMERICAN SECULAR SONG. Lawrence W. Levine, “Chapter Four: The Rise of Secular Song.” In Black Culture and Black Consciousness, pp. 190-297.

Mar. 4: AFRICAN-AMERICAN SECULAR SONG IN THE 20TH CENTURY: EMERGENCE OF THE BLUES. Robert Palmer, Deep Blues, pp. 1-47.

6: THE BLUES (CONT.). Robert Palmer, Deep Blues, pp. 48-92.

11: THE BLUES (CONT.). Robert Palmer, Deep Blues, pp. 95-169. Progress of research project, abstract and sources for collecting data.

13: THE BLUES (CONT.). Robert Palmer, Deep Blues, pp. 173-277.

Mar. 17-22: SPRING BREAK 

25: Finish Deep Blues. Expect a quiz!

27: No class today; however, I will provide a handout for you on Tuesday, the 25th.

Apr. 1: HEROES, BAD MEN, AND BLACK FOLK HUMOR. Lawrence W. Levine, "Chapter Five: Black Laughter." In Black Culture and Black Consciousness, pp. 298-366. (Turn in paper abstract).

3-8: HEROES, BAD MEN, AND BLACK FOLK HUMOR (CONT.) "Chapter Six: A Pantheon of Heroes," and "Epilogue."  In Black Culture and Black Consciousness, pp. 367-445

10: SIGNIFYING AND PLAYING THE DOZENS. Reading to be assigned.

15: TOASTS. Handout of article.

17: OTHER EXAMPLES OF BLACK SPEECH PLAY AND VERBAL ART. Term paper due April 22nd.

22: PRESENTATIONS OF RESEARCH

24: PRESENTATIONS OF RESEARCH AND REVIEW

May 1:  FINAL EXAM: 12:30-2:30 P.M.

ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES AND LATE WORK:

If you are unavoidably absent, you are responsible for any information or materials covered during that session.  If you miss more than four class meetings (i.e., a total of two weeks of class) during the semester, I reserve the right to lower your final grade by one letter.  If you are absent during an exam, you must have a verifiable justifiable excuse and you must take a make-up within one week upon your return.  A late term paper will receive one grade lower for each day past the due date.  Attendance is extremely critical in performing well in this course.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

I will give two in-class examinations, each worth 25% of your final grade.  One 8-10 page typed double-spaced term paper, will be worth 25% of your final grade (additional guidelines will be forthcoming).  Required readings must be completed by the dates listed on the calendar and I will give quizzes to evaluate your completion and understanding of reading assignments. 25% of your grade will be based on those quizzes as well as class participation. You are also responsible for any materials distributed in class or covered in lectures and class discussions.