autobiography

Week 16: Assata, Part 2

Hank Williams Uncategorized , , , , ,

 

Image: Assata Shakur. | Credit: Free SVG. Creative Commons licensed

General Announcements:

  • NY African Diaspora International Film Festival runs from 11/25-12/11. course-related highlights are documentaries on Lowndes County (11/26, 29), Ella Baker (Schomburg, 11/29),  Fannie Lou Hamer (Schomburg, 11/29), Sonia Sanchez (Baruch College, 11/30). Early reservations are highly recommended–especially for free documentary film screenings! Details at their site

Course Announcements:

  • SUBMIT THE SECOND WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT! Due on or before Wednesday December 7th 2022.
  • Prof. Williams Zoom live chat hours: Mondays/Wednesdays from 4-5 PM on Zoom here or on campus in Carman 291. Or call: +1 929 205 6099 then add meeting ID: 528 450 5381.
  • SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS POST FOR FINAL EXAM INFO
  • The second assignment will be returned to you with a grade and comments via the same email you put on your paper when you turned it in. Same process as last paper
  • Spring 2023 Courses: For those interested, I’ll be teaching Introduction to Africana Studies (AAS 166). There’ll be in-person sections on Tuesday night and M/W afternoon. I’ll also have one section of African American History (AAS 245) that meets Monday night on campus.

Highlights from last week:

  • Started Assata’s Autobiography with a focus on themes of urban space and neighborhoods and identity–particularly racial identity–as a child, how she evolves, and how Assata develops her view as a Black woman. Focus on chapters 2, 6 and 8 set in Wilmington NC, Queens/Greenwich Village and the Upper West Side, respectively.
  • Audio is on the Zoom archive page; no slide deck this week
  • Zoom audio: Common “A Song for Assata,” On YouTube here; Bob Dylan’s “Hurricane” On YouTube here
  • Kiri Davis’s A Girl Like Me on YouTube. 7-minute video streamed in class as background for Assata’s evolution of her identity as a Black woman.

DO THIS for week 16–Tuesday December 13:

FINISH AND SUBMIT the second paper. 

This week we finish the autobiography of Assata Shakur. Tuesday December 13 is the last class meeting.

 FINISH Assata Shakur’s Autobiography–pages 148-274 (Chapters 9-Postscript). Again, make sure to pay attention to the various poems she includes in the story. Think also about the themes that you should now be able to identify that we’ve been working on all semester. Note specific places in the book where they appear and mark examples of them in your text.

RESPOND to the questions at the bottom of this post and DISCUSS them with classmates and myself using the comment field on this post. (Scroll all the way to the bottom after the sharing buttons to see the comment field.)

OPTIONAL–LISTEN to my 52 minute lecture (sorry!) on the second half of Assata:

Pay close attention to the following:

  • Poems: Again, what do they add to the narrative? What insight do they give you about Assata’s inner thoughts?
  • What spaces/ neighborhoods does she move through? Note them and how each of them either shapes the story and what it means to Assata.
  • Keep track of major themes that emerge in the story as you read. It’s a good idea to mark examples of them in the text and make a small note in your notebook.

Final Exam Info:

  • The final exam will be posted on the website during final exams week and the format will be a single essay. It will be visible on the site from Friday December 16 to 11:59 PM Sunday December 18. You can complete it at any time during the weekend.
  • Submission will be via a Dropbox upload link, like we’ve used for papers all semester
  • You will be given several essay questions to choose from based on one major theme that we’ve seen repeatedly in books this semester and you will have to compare how four different texts (novels, film, plays, essays, or individual poems) we’ve read or watched during the semester deal with the theme. You need to write only one essay from the options given. One text you discuss must be Assata or Soledad; the other three texts you compare can be anything else that’s been on the syllabus. For instance, you could compare Soledad, Bodega Dreams, Dutchman, and “A Lower East Side Poem” or Assata, Do The Right Thing, “Puerto Rican Obituary,” and Short Eyes, etc.

Some prep tips:

Read my guide to final exams, “Zen and the Art of Finals” (PDF), which will help you begin to prepare for our final (and hopefully others as well). It summarizes much of what is usually in my prep sessions.

Remember the materials to help you review on this website:

  • Scroll through the weekly Course Updates posts for a quick overview of the entire semester’s work (and reading questions)
  • My own Lecture Notes
  • Your own weekly discussion board posts: use these as a quick review and to generate ideas for the final exam

If you keep up with the weekly reading and take good notes, then you’ll be well prepared for the final exam and get much more out of the class!

Comments on posts:

You’ll notice the “Let’s Talk” button is below. Here’s how it’ll work: you can use this to discuss points raised here.  A few points:

  • Your first comment will have to be approved by me: after that, you can comment without approval
  • Comments section will only be open to enrolled students
  • You have to leave your name (enter as first name and last initial only) so a) I can make sure only people in the class are commenting and b) you get credit for the comment
  • Remember to be respectful, especially when responding to classmates
  • The comments section closes 14 days after a post goes live

To ‘participate’ in the class, I’d like to see everyone 1) post a substantive comment of their own based on either the reading or my lecture using some of the questions raised or conversation prompts, and 2) to respond thoughtfully to someone else’s comment—not just agree/disagree, but add on evidence or ask a follow-up question. You can also ask a question–for me or others–but that doesn’t count toward your comment and reply needed for the grade. It’s fine with me if conversation continues in a thread as long as it does, but two responses showing a clear engagement with the reading will count for being ‘present.’ Does that make sense? You have 14 days to write those two comments for credit.

 

Week 15: Assata, Part 1

Hank Williams Uncategorized , , , , ,

General Announcements:

  • NY African Diaspora International Film Festival runs from 11/25-12/11. course-related highlights are documentaries on Lowndes County (11/26, 29), Ella Baker (Schomburg, 11/29),  Fannie Lou Hamer (Schomburg, 11/29), Sonia Sanchez (Baruch College, 11/30). Early reservations are highly recommended–especially for free documentary film screenings! Details at their site

Course Announcements:

  • FINISH THE SECOND WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT! Go to the Assignments page to download a PDF copy! Due on or before Wednesday December 7th 2022.
  • Make an appointment with Lehman’s writing center for help if needed. Note that they have Saturday hours and do appointments via Zoom also.
  • See the FAQ page for quick answers to common questions about the course. The audio tour of the website is there, too.
  • Prof. Williams Zoom live chat hours: Mondays/Wednesdays from 4-5 PM on Zoom here or on campus in Carman 291. Or call: +1 929 205 6099 then add meeting ID: 528 450 5381.
  • Spring 2023 Courses: For those interested, I’ll be teaching Introduction to Africana Studies (AAS 166). There’ll be in-person sections on Tuesday night and M/W afternoon. I’ll also have one section of African American History (AAS 245) that meets Monday night on campus.

Highlights from last class:

  • Finished Angie Cruz’s Soledad with a focus on how Soledad’s character evolves, how her relationships with her family and Washington Heights change, and her return to the Dominican Republic and relationship with her mother.
  • Slide deck is on the Lecture Notes page
  • Audio is on the archive page
  • Check-in on the second (and final, besides the final exam) paper of the semester. See the Assignments page
  • Zoom audio: Bobbi Humphrey’s “Harlem River Drive” (YouTube)

DO THIS for week 15–Tuesday December 6:

FINISH AND SUBMIT the second paper. SCHEDULE appointment(s) with the writing center to help with the process of organizing ideas, outlining, or any phase of the writing process. GET HELP finding appropriate resources for the required 1960s and 2000s from the Lehman Library, any other CUNY library, or any NY Public Library branch.

Our last book is the autobiography of Assata Shakur. NYPL has 16 copies of the physical book available to borrow. You can also read an electronic copy online (CUNY login required)

READ chapters 1-9 (pages 1-147) of Assata.

RESPOND to the questions at the bottom of this post and DISCUSS them with classmates and myself using the comment field on this post. (Scroll all the way to the bottom after the sharing buttons to see the comment field.)

Pay close attention to the following:

  • Assata’s poems: What do they add to the narrative? What insight do they give you about Assata’s inner thoughts?
  • What spaces/ neighborhoods does she move through? Note them and how each of them either shapes the story and what it means to Assata.
  • Keep track of major themes that emerge in the story as you read. It’s a good idea to mark examples of them in the text and make a small note in your notebook.

OPTIONAL–LISTEN to my 52 minute lecture (sorry about the length!) on the first half of Assata:

What’s next?

We finish Assata in the last week of class, so keep reading ahead. The final exam will be online during exam week. Details will be announced in class and with the next post. Please do not email me for details before the outline is posted.

If you keep up with the weekly reading and take good notes, then you’ll be well prepared for the final exam and get much more out of the class!

Comments on posts:

You’ll notice the “Let’s Talk” button is below. Here’s how it’ll work: you can use this to discuss points raised here.  A few points:

  • Your first comment will have to be approved by me: after that, you can comment without approval
  • Comments section will only be open to enrolled students
  • You have to leave your name (enter as first name and last initial only) so a) I can make sure only people in the class are commenting and b) you get credit for the comment
  • Remember to be respectful, especially when responding to classmates
  • The comments section closes 14 days after a post goes live

To ‘participate’ in the class, I’d like to see everyone 1) post a substantive comment of their own based on either the reading or my lecture using some of the questions raised or conversation prompts, and 2) to respond thoughtfully to someone else’s comment—not just agree/disagree, but add on evidence or ask a follow-up question. You can also ask a question–for me or others–but that doesn’t count toward your comment and reply needed for the grade. It’s fine with me if conversation continues in a thread as long as it does, but two responses showing a clear engagement with the reading will count for being ‘present.’ Does that make sense? You have 14 days to write those two comments for credit.

 

Week of May 9: Assata, Part 2

Hank Williams Uncategorized , , , , ,

Image: Assata Shakur. | Credit: Free SVG. Creative Commons licensed

General Announcements:

  • (New opportunity!) The CUNY Career Launch program offers a part time paid summer internship in a position related to your major! Details/application at their site

Course Announcements:

  • SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS POST FOR FINAL EXAM INFO
  • The second assignment will be returned to you with a grade and comments via the same email you put on your paper when you turned it in. Same process as last paper
  • See the FAQ page for quick answers to common questions about the course. The audio tour of the website is there, too.
  • Prof. Williams Zoom live chat hours: Tuesdays from 6-8 PM! on Zoom here. Or call: +1 929 205 6099 then add meeting ID: 528 450 5381

Highlights from last week:

  • Started Assata’s Autobiography with a focus on themes of urban space and neighborhoods and identity–particularly racial identity–as a child, how she evolves, and how Assata develops her view as a Black woman. Focus on chapters 2, 6 and 8 set in Wilmington NC, Queens/Greenwich Village and the Upper West Side, respectively.
  • Audio is on the Zoom archive page; no slide deck this week
  • Zoom audio: Jimi Hendrix “All Along the Watchtower,” On YouTube here; Bob Dylan’s “Hurricane” On YouTube here
  • Kiri Davis’s A Girl Like Me on YouTube. 7-minute video streamed Thursday as background for Assata’s evolution of her identity as a Black woman.

What to do for May 10 and 12:

This week we finish the autobiography of Assata Shakur. Thursday May 11 is the last class meeting for the night section. Tuesday May 17 is the last class meeting for the day section.

Day class: FOR TUESDAY MAY 10: READ pages 148-240 (Chapters 9-16) in Assata Shakur’s Autobiography. Again, make sure to pay attention to the various poems she includes in the story. Think also about the themes that you should now be able to identify that we’ve been working on all semester. Note specific places in the book where they appear and mark examples of them in your text. More instructions TBA.

Day class: FOR THURSDAY MAY 12: READ pages 241-274 (Chapters 17-Postscript)

Thursday Night Class: FOR THURSDAY MAY 12:

 FINISH Assata Shakur’s Autobiography–pages 148-274 (Chapters 9-Postscript). Again, make sure to pay attention to the various poems she includes in the story. Think also about the themes that you should now be able to identify that we’ve been working on all semester. Note specific places in the book where they appear and mark examples of them in your text.

BOTH CLASS SECTIONS:

RESPOND to the questions at the bottom of this post and DISCUSS them with classmates and myself using the comment field on this post. (Scroll all the way to the bottom after the sharing buttons to see the comment field.)

OPTIONAL–LISTEN to my 52 minute lecture (sorry!) on the second half of Assata:

Pay close attention to the following:

  • Poems: Again, what do they add to the narrative? What insight do they give you about Assata’s inner thoughts?
  • What spaces/ neighborhoods does she move through? Note them and how each of them either shapes the story and what it means to Assata.
  • Keep track of major themes that emerge in the story as you read. It’s a good idea to mark examples of them in the text and make a small note in your notebook.

Final Exam Info:

  • The final exam will be posted on the website during final exams week and the format will be a single essay
  • Submission will be via a Dropbox upload link, like we’ve used for papers all semester
  • You will be given several essay questions to choose from based on one major theme that we’ve seen repeatedly in books this semester and you will have to compare how four different texts (novels, film, plays, essays, or individual poems) we’ve read or watched during the semester deal with the theme. You need to write only one essay from the options given. One text you discuss must be Assata or Soledad; the other three texts you compare can be anything else that’s been on the syllabus. For instance, you could compare Soledad, Bodega Dreams, Dutchman, and “A Lower East Side Poem” or Assata, Do The Right Thing, “Puerto Rican Obituary,” and Short Eyes, etc.

Some prep tips:

Read my guide to final exams, “Zen and the Art of Finals” (PDF), which will help you begin to prepare for our final (and hopefully others as well). It summarizes much of what is usually in my prep sessions.

Remember the materials to help you review on this website:

  • Scroll through the weekly Course Updates posts for a quick overview of the entire semester’s work (and reading questions)
  • My own Lecture Notes
  • Your own weekly discussion board posts: use these as a quick review and to generate ideas for the final exam

If you keep up with the weekly reading and take good notes, then you’ll be well prepared for the final exam and get much more out of the class!

Comments on posts:

You’ll notice the “Let’s Talk” button is below. Here’s how it’ll work: you can use this to discuss points raised here.  A few points:

  • Your first comment will have to be approved by me: after that, you can comment without approval
  • Comments section will only be open to enrolled students
  • You have to leave your name (enter as first name and last initial only) so a) I can make sure only people in the class are commenting and b) you get credit for the comment
  • Remember to be respectful, especially when responding to classmates
  • The comments section closes 14 days after a post goes live

To ‘participate’ in the class, I’d like to see everyone 1) post a substantive comment of their own based on either the reading or my lecture using some of the questions raised or conversation prompts, and 2) to respond thoughtfully to someone else’s comment—not just agree/disagree, but add on evidence or ask a follow-up question. You can also ask a question–for me or others–but that doesn’t count toward your comment and reply needed for the grade. It’s fine with me if conversation continues in a thread as long as it does, but two responses showing a clear engagement with the reading will count for being ‘present.’ Does that make sense? You have 14 days to write those two comments for credit.

 

Week of May 2: Assata, Part 1

Hank Williams Uncategorized , , , , ,

General Announcements:

  • (New opportunity!) The CUNY Career Launch program offers a part time paid summer internship in a position related to your major! Details/application at their site

Course Announcements:

  • SECOND WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT DUE TUESDAY MAY 3rd! Go to the Assignments page to download a PDF copy! Turn it in using the link on the submissions page
  • Make an appointment with Lehman’s writing center for help if needed. Note that they have Saturday hours and do appointments via Zoom also.
  • Our last book is the autobiography of Assata Shakur. NYPL has 16 copies of the physical book available to borrow. You can also read an electronic copy online (CUNY login required).
  • See the FAQ page for quick answers to common questions about the course. The audio tour of the website is now there, too.
  • Prof. Williams Zoom live chat hours: Tuesdays from 6-8 PM! on Zoom here. Or call: +1 929 205 6099 then add meeting ID: 528 450 5381

Highlights from last week:

  • Finished Angie Cruz’s Soledad with a focus on how Soledad’s character evolves, how her relationships with her family and Washington Heights change, and her return to the Dominican Republic and relationship with her mother.
  • Audio is on the Zoom archive page
  • Zoom audio: The Temptations “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”  here.

What to do for May 3 and 5:

Day class: FOR TUESDAY MAY 3: READ pages 1-79 Chapters 1-4

Day class: FOR THURSDAY MAY 5: READ pages 80-147 Chapters 5-9

Thursday Night Class: FOR THURSDAY MAY 5:

READ chapters 1-9 (pages 1-147) of Assata.

BOTH CLASS SECTIONS:

FINISH AND TURN IN the second paper by Tuesday May 3.

RESPOND to the questions at the bottom of this post and DISCUSS them with classmates and myself using the comment field on this post. (Scroll all the way to the bottom after the sharing buttons to see the comment field.)

Pay close attention to the following:

  • Assata’s poems: What do they add to the narrative? What insight do they give you about Assata’s inner thoughts?
  • What spaces/ neighborhoods does she move through? Note them and how each of them either shapes the story and what it means to Assata.
  • Keep track of major themes that emerge in the story as you read. It’s a good idea to mark examples of them in the text and make a small note in your notebook.

OPTIONAL–LISTEN to my 52 minute lecture (sorry about the length!) on the first half of Assata:

What’s next?

We finish Assata in the last week of class, so keep reading ahead. The final exam will be online during exam week. Details will be announced in class and with the next post. Please do not email me for details before the outline is posted.

If you keep up with the weekly reading and take good notes, then you’ll be well prepared for the final exam and get much more out of the class!

Comments on posts:

You’ll notice the “Let’s Talk” button is below. Here’s how it’ll work: you can use this to discuss points raised here.  A few points:

  • Your first comment will have to be approved by me: after that, you can comment without approval
  • Comments section will only be open to enrolled students
  • You have to leave your name (enter as first name and last initial only) so a) I can make sure only people in the class are commenting and b) you get credit for the comment
  • Remember to be respectful, especially when responding to classmates
  • The comments section closes 14 days after a post goes live

To ‘participate’ in the class, I’d like to see everyone 1) post a substantive comment of their own based on either the reading or my lecture using some of the questions raised or conversation prompts, and 2) to respond thoughtfully to someone else’s comment—not just agree/disagree, but add on evidence or ask a follow-up question. You can also ask a question–for me or others–but that doesn’t count toward your comment and reply needed for the grade. It’s fine with me if conversation continues in a thread as long as it does, but two responses showing a clear engagement with the reading will count for being ‘present.’ Does that make sense? You have 14 days to write those two comments for credit.

 

Week of December 3: (Night class) Assata conclusion

Hank Williams Uncategorized , , , , , ,

220px-Assatabio

Announcements

  • The last written assignment of the semester on Angie Cruz’s Soledad is due Tuesday December 10. See the assignments page if you’ve misplaced your copy of the instruction sheet.

Also take a look at a general guide I’ve written up for final exams: “Zen and the Art of Finals” (PDF).

This week we finish our last book of the semester, the autobiography of Assata Shakur. For Tuesday December 3, read chapters 10-14 (pages 148-214) in Assata.

Pay close attention to the following:

  • Poems: Again, what do they add to the narrative? What insight do they give you about Assata’s inner thoughts?
  • What spaces/ neighborhoods does she move through? Note them and how each of them either shapes the story and what it means to Assata.
  • Keep track of major themes that emerge in the story as you read. It’s a good idea to mark examples of them in the text and make a small note in your notebook.
  • Finally, go back through your notes and start making a list of all the themes that we’ve seen this semester. It will be a good start to preparing for the final.

For Thursday December 5 finish Assata: pages 215-end of book (chapters 15-Postscript). Be sure to read the Postscript with her reflections on Havana! (Skip ahead if you must.) Again, make sure to pay attention to the various poems she includes in the story on pages 240 (“Current Events”), 259 (“To My Daughter Kakuya”), and 263 (“The Tradition”). Think also about the themes that we’ve been talking about so far and how Assata’s work fits into the context of urban narratives and themes of identity, survival, freedom, immigration/migration, return home, urban space, etc. What’s the significance of the story ending in Cuba and how does Assata adjust to her new home?

Presentation by Skye, Brittany, and Irv

Consider this prep for the final exam. If you read this carefully, it’s one less thing you’ll need to study!

Looking ahead:

  • Finish Assata on Thursday December 5
  • The last regular class of the semester is Thursday December 12 and we’ll have a formal review session
  • The final exam for your section is on Thursday December 19 from 8-10 PM in the usual classroom

Week of December 3: (Day class) Assata conclusion

Hank Williams Uncategorized , , , , , ,

220px-Assatabio

Announcements

  • The last written assignment of the semester on Angie Cruz’s Soledad is due Tuesday December 10. See the assignments page if you’ve misplaced your copy of the instruction sheet.

Also take a look at a general guide I’ve written up for final exams: “Zen and the Art of Finals” (PDF).

This week we finish our last book of the semester, the autobiography of Assata Shakur. For Tuesday December 3, read chapters 10-14 (pages 148-214) in Assata.

Pay close attention to the following:

  • Poems: Again, what do they add to the narrative? What insight do they give you about Assata’s inner thoughts?
  • What spaces/ neighborhoods does she move through? Note them and how each of them either shapes the story and what it means to Assata.
  • Keep track of major themes that emerge in the story as you read. It’s a good idea to mark examples of them in the text and make a small note in your notebook.
  • Finally, go back through your notes and start making a list of all the themes that we’ve seen this semester. It will be a good start to preparing for the final.

For Thursday December 5 finish Assata: pages 215-end of book (chapters 15-Postscript). Be sure to read the Postscript with her reflections on Havana! (Skip ahead if you must.) Again, make sure to pay attention to the various poems she includes in the story on pages 240 (“Current Events”), 259 (“To My Daughter Kakuya”), and 263 (“The Tradition”). Think also about the themes that we’ve been talking about so far and how Assata’s work fits into the context of urban narratives and themes of identity, survival, freedom, immigration/migration, return home, urban space, etc. What’s the significance of the story ending in Cuba and how does Assata adjust to her new home?

Presentation by Tamara and Dre

Consider this prep for the final exam. If you read this carefully, it’s one less thing you’ll need to study!

Looking ahead:

  • Finish Assata on Thursday December 5
  • The last regular class of the semester is Thursday December 12 and we’ll have a formal review session
  • The final exam for your section is on Tuesday December 17 3:45-5:45 PM in the usual classroom

Week of May 7: (Night class) Assata conclusion

Hank Williams Uncategorized , , , , , ,

220px-Assatabio

Announcements

  • The last written assignment of the semester on Angie Cruz’s Soledad is due Tuesday May 7. See the assignments page if you’ve misplaced your copy of the instruction sheet.
  • Fall 2019 course: I’m teaching a section of Intro to Africana Studies (AAS 166) in the fall on Wednesday nights from 6-8:40 PM. Look for AAS166 Section XW81 in CUNYFirst. It is 3 credits, meets once per week, and satisfies the World Cultures and Global Issues core requirement. More details at the course website or you can ask me.

Also take a look at a general guide I’ve written up for final exams: “Zen and the Art of Finals” (PDF).

This week we finish our last book of the semester, the autobiography of Assata Shakur. For Tuesday May 7, read chapters 10-14 (pages 148-214) in Assata.

Pay close attention to the following:

  • Poems: Again, what do they add to the narrative? What insight do they give you about Assata’s inner thoughts?
  • What spaces/ neighborhoods does she move through? Note them and how each of them either shapes the story and what it means to Assata.
  • Keep track of major themes that emerge in the story as you read. It’s a good idea to mark examples of them in the text and make a small note in your notebook.
  • Finally, go back through your notes and start making a list of all the themes that we’ve seen this semester. It will be a good start to preparing for the final.

For Thursday May 9 finish Assata: pages 215-end of book (chapters 15-Postscript). Be sure to read the Postscript with her reflections on Havana! (Skip ahead if you must.) Again, make sure to pay attention to the various poems she includes in the story on pages 240 (“Current Events”), 259 (“To My Daughter Kakuya”), and 263 (“The Tradition”). Think also about the themes that we’ve been talking about so far and how Assata’s work fits into the context of urban narratives and themes of identity, survival, freedom, immigration/migration, return home, urban space, etc. What’s the significance of the story ending in Cuba and how does Assata adjust to her new home?

Presentation by Ruth, Kelly, Bre, and Kimberly

Consider this prep for the final exam. If you read this carefully, it’s one less thing you’ll need to study!

Looking ahead:

  • Finish Assata on Thursday May 9
  • The last regular class of the semester is Tuesday May 14
  • We’ll have a formal review session in the last class on May 14
  • The final exam for your section is on Thursday May 16 8-10 PM in the usual classroom

Reminder:

  • There’s a Dominican Writers Conference at our sister school, The City College of New York in Harlem on Saturday May 4. Angie Cruz will be there on one of the panels, though isn’t scheduled to speak about Soledad. You can probably ask her questions before/after her talk, though. Conference details here.

Week of May 7: (Day class) Assata conclusion

Hank Williams Uncategorized , , , , , ,

220px-Assatabio

Announcements

  • The last written assignment of the semester on Angie Cruz’s Soledad is due Tuesday May 7. See the assignments page if you’ve misplaced your copy of the instruction sheet.
  • Fall 2019 course: I’m teaching a section of Intro to Africana Studies (AAS 166) in the fall on Wednesday nights from 6-8:40 PM. Look for AAS166 Section XW81 in CUNYFirst. It is 3 credits, meets once per week, and satisfies the World Cultures and Global Issues core requirement. More details at the course website or you can ask me.

Also take a look at a general guide I’ve written up for final exams: “Zen and the Art of Finals” (PDF).

This week we finish our last book of the semester, the autobiography of Assata Shakur. For Tuesday May 7, read chapters 10-14 (pages 148-214) in Assata.

Pay close attention to the following:

  • Poems: Again, what do they add to the narrative? What insight do they give you about Assata’s inner thoughts?
  • What spaces/ neighborhoods does she move through? Note them and how each of them either shapes the story and what it means to Assata.
  • Keep track of major themes that emerge in the story as you read. It’s a good idea to mark examples of them in the text and make a small note in your notebook.
  • Finally, go back through your notes and start making a list of all the themes that we’ve seen this semester. It will be a good start to preparing for the final.

For Thursday May 9 finish Assata: pages 215-end of book (chapters 15-Postscript). Be sure to read the Postscript with her reflections on Havana! (Skip ahead if you must.) Again, make sure to pay attention to the various poems she includes in the story on pages 240 (“Current Events”), 259 (“To My Daughter Kakuya”), and 263 (“The Tradition”). Think also about the themes that we’ve been talking about so far and how Assata’s work fits into the context of urban narratives and themes of identity, survival, freedom, immigration/migration, return home, urban space, etc. What’s the significance of the story ending in Cuba and how does Assata adjust to her new home?

Presentation by Karen, Stephanie F, and William

Consider this prep for the final exam. If you read this carefully, it’s one less thing you’ll need to study!

Looking ahead:

  • Finish Assata on Thursday May 9
  • The last regular class of the semester is Tuesday May 14
  • We’ll have a formal review session in the last class on May 14
  • The final exam for your section is on Tuesday May 21 3:45-5:45 PM in the usual classroom

Reminder:

  • There’s a Dominican Writers Conference at our sister school, The City College of New York in Harlem on Saturday May 4. Angie Cruz will be there on one of the panels, though isn’t scheduled to speak about Soledad. You can probably ask her questions before/after her talk, though. Conference details here.

Week of December 4: (Night class) Assata conclusion

Hank Williams Uncategorized , , , , ,

220px-Assatabio

Announcements

  • The last written assignment of the semester on Angie Cruz’s Soledad is due Tuesday December 4. See the assignments page if you’ve misplaced your copy of the instruction sheet.
  • UPDATE: Fixed dates for the reading schedule below!

Also take a look at a general guide I’ve written up for final exams: “Zen and the Art of Finals” (PDF).

This week we finish our last book of the semester, the autobiography of Assata Shakur. For Tuesday December 4, read chapters 10-14 (pages 185-215) in Assata.

Pay close attention to the following:

  • Poems: “To My Mama” (193). Again, what do they add to the narrative? What insight do they give you about Assata’s inner thoughts?
  • What spaces/ neighborhoods does she move through? Note them and how each of them either shapes the story and what it means to Assata.
  • Keep track of major themes that emerge in the story as you read. It’s a good idea to mark examples of them in the text and make a small note in your notebook.
  • Finally, go back through your notes and start making a list of all the themes that we’ve seen this semester. It will be a good start to preparing for the final.

For Thursday December 6 finish Assata: pages 216-end of book (chapters 15-Postscript). Be sure to read the Postscript with her reflections on Havana! (Skip ahead if you must.) Again, make sure to pay attention to the various poems she includes in the story on pages 240 (“Current Events”), 259 (“To My Daughter Kakuya”), and 263 (“The Tradition”). Think also about the themes that we’ve been talking about so far and how Assata’s work fits into the context of urban narratives and themes of identity, survival, freedom, immigration/migration, return home, urban space, etc. What’s the significance of the story ending in Cuba and how does Assata adjust to her new home?

Presentation by Darlene Kriston, Tyrone, and Ashley

Consider this prep for the final exam. If you read this carefully, it’s one less thing you’ll need to study!

Looking ahead:

  • The last regular class of the semester is Tuesday December 11
  • We’ll have a formal review session in the last class on December 11
  • The final exam for your section is on Thursday December 20 from 8-10 PM in the usual classroom

Week of December 4: (Day class) Assata conclusion

Hank Williams Uncategorized , , , , ,

220px-Assatabio

Announcements

  • The last written assignment of the semester on Angie Cruz’s Soledad is due Tuesday December 4. See the assignments page if you’ve misplaced your copy of the instruction sheet.
  • UPDATE: Fixed dates for the reading schedule below!

Also take a look at a general guide I’ve written up for final exams: “Zen and the Art of Finals” (PDF).

This week we finish our last book of the semester, the autobiography of Assata Shakur. For Tuesday December 4, read chapters 10-14 (pages 185-215) in Assata.

Pay close attention to the following:

  • Poems: Again, what do they add to the narrative? What insight do they give you about Assata’s inner thoughts?
  • What spaces/ neighborhoods does she move through? Note them and how each of them either shapes the story and what it means to Assata.
  • Keep track of major themes that emerge in the story as you read. It’s a good idea to mark examples of them in the text and make a small note in your notebook.
  • Finally, go back through your notes and start making a list of all the themes that we’ve seen this semester. It will be a good start to preparing for the final.

For Thursday December 6 finish Assata: pages 216-end of book (chapters 15-Postscript). Be sure to read the Postscript with her reflections on Havana! (Skip ahead if you must.) Again, make sure to pay attention to the various poems she includes in the story on pages 240 (“Current Events”), 259 (“To My Daughter Kakuya”), and 263 (“The Tradition”). Think also about the themes that we’ve been talking about so far and how Assata’s work fits into the context of urban narratives and themes of identity, survival, freedom, immigration/migration, return home, urban space, etc. What’s the significance of the story ending in Cuba and how does Assata adjust to her new home?

Presentation by Nadia, Kat, Adrianna, and Kim

Consider this prep for the final exam. If you read this carefully, it’s one less thing you’ll need to study!

Looking ahead:

  • Finish Assata on Thursday December 6
  • The last regular class of the semester is Tuesday December 11
  • We’ll have a formal review session in the last class on December 11
  • The final exam for your section is on Tuesday December 18 3:45-5:45 PM in the usual classroom