This calendar is dynamic: it will be updated during the course of the term if necessary. Readings are often designated by author's last name for brevity. If you have any question about what is due for a specific day, check here: even if I make a mistake and say something different than this in class, this calendar is always right. Work which is "To Read" and "To Write" is to be finished on that day.
Aug. 28
Introduction: On "literature," stories, imagination, and power.
To Read: African proverbs and folktales (handout); Achebe, "The Truth of Fiction" (handout)
To Write:
To Read: African proverbs and folktales (handout); Achebe, "The Truth of Fiction" (handout)
To Write:
Aug. 30
To Read: Achebe, "The Truth of Fiction" (handout)
To Write: Intro. to 1st Analysis in class
To Write: Intro. to 1st Analysis in class
Sept. 4
To Read: Conrad, "An Outpost of Progress"
To Write: Response #1 due
To Write: Response #1 due
Sept. 6
To Read: Conrad, "Outpost," continued; begin "Heart of Darkness" before class today as well.
To Write:
To Write:
Sept. 11
To Read: Conrad, "Heart of Darkness," part I (103-33) (FYI, here is a searchable version on line).
To Write: Response #2 due
To Write: Response #2 due
Sept. 13
To Read: Conrad, "Heart of Darkness," part II (134-60)
To Write:
To Write:
Monday, Sept. 17
Film viewing: Apocalypse Now will be shown at 7:00 tonight in 
Room 132 of the new Science and Technology building. You do not have to attend, but you must have seen the film by Tuesday. The film is very rentable.
Room 132 of the new Science and Technology building. You do not have to attend, but you must have seen the film by Tuesday. The film is very rentable. Sept. 18
To Read: Conrad, "Heart of Darkness," part III (161-87); quiz #1
To Write: Analysis #1 due; Intro. to 2nd Analysis in class
To Write: Analysis #1 due; Intro. to 2nd Analysis in class
Sept. 20
To Read: Apocalypse Now; quiz #2
To Write:
To Write:
Sept. 25
To Read: Apocalypse Now, cont'd
To Write:
To Write:
Sept. 27
MLA Style Day: You've gotta use it!
To Read: LB 337-50, on incorporating sources, plagiarism, and documenting sources; we'll be working on MLA exercise sheets in class (handouts).
To Write: Response #3 due
To Read: LB 337-50, on incorporating sources, plagiarism, and documenting sources; we'll be working on MLA exercise sheets in class (handouts).
To Write: Response #3 due
Oct. 2
To Read: Achebe, "An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness"
To Write: MLA Style exercises (a handout) are due
To Write: MLA Style exercises (a handout) are due
Oct. 4
To Read: Achebe, Things Fall Apart 1-86
To Write: Analysis #2 due; Intro. to 1st paper in class
To Write: Analysis #2 due; Intro. to 1st paper in class
Oct. 9
No Class
Fall Break & Professional Development Day
Fall Break & Professional Development Day
Oct. 11
To Read: Achebe, Things Fall Apart 87-168
To Write: Response #4 due
To Write: Response #4 due
Oct. 16
To Read: Achebe, Things Fall Apart 170-end; quiz #3
To Write:
NOTE that if you want to take the research paper option you must decide so by today. See the Papers page for more information.
To Write:
NOTE that if you want to take the research paper option you must decide so by today. See the Papers page for more information.
Oct. 18
To Read: poems (handout)
To Write:
To Write:
Oct. 23
To Read: poems (handout)
To Write: Paper #1 due; Intro. to 3rd analysis in class
To Write: Paper #1 due; Intro. to 3rd analysis in class
Oct. 25
To Read: poems (handout)
To Write:
To Write:
Oct. 30
To Read: Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions 1-76 (chs. 1-4)
To Write: Response #5 due
To Write: Response #5 due
Nov. 1
To Read: Nervous Conditions 77-148 (chs. 5-7); Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth, "Introduction" by J-P Sartre. Here are 
questions to consider as you read it.
To Write:
questions to consider as you read it.To Write:
Nov. 6
To Read: Nervous Conditions 149-204 (chs. 8-10); quiz #4
To Write: Response #6 due
Wednesday the 8th is the last day you can W. I have no problem letting anyone do so at any time.
To Write: Response #6 due
Wednesday the 8th is the last day you can W. I have no problem letting anyone do so at any time.
Nov. 8
To Read: Class is canceled today.
To Write:
Class is canceled today. To Write:
Nov. 13
To Read: Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth, ch. 1, "Concerning Violence," 1-18 top. Here is an outline of the chapter, and here are questions to consider as you read through it (these also include info. for the sections due on the 20th and 27th). We will watch some of "The Insurgency" in class today.
To Write: Analysis #3 due; Intro. to 2nd paper in class
Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth, ch. 1, "Concerning Violence," 1-18 top. Here is an outline of the chapter, and here are questions to consider as you read through it (these also include info. for the sections due on the 20th and 27th). We will watch some of "The Insurgency" in class today. To Write: Analysis #3 due; Intro. to 2nd paper in class
Nov. 15
To Read: Watch all of the PBS Frontline documentary about the Iraq War, "The Insurgency," before class today; it is about an hour long. You can watch this in its entirety on line. Here are questions to consider as you watch it. A later Frontline program which in some ways follows up on this one is "Gangs of Iraq."
To Write:
Watch all of the PBS Frontline documentary about the Iraq War, "The Insurgency," before class today; it is about an hour long. You can watch this in its entirety on line. Here are questions to consider as you watch it. A later Frontline program which in some ways follows up on this one is "Gangs of Iraq." To Write:
Nov. 20
To Read: Class is canceled today.
To Write:
Class is canceled today.To Write:
31
Nov. 22
No Class
Thanksgiving Break
Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 27
To Read: Fanon, 18 top-36 top; Fanon, 36 to end of ch. 1.
To Write:
Fanon, 18 top-36 top; Fanon, 36 to end of ch. 1.To Write:
Nov. 29
To Read: Class cancelled due to illness
To Write:
Class cancelled due to illness To Write:
Dec. 4
To Read: Coetzee, Disgrace 1-87; Coetzee, Disgrace 88-174; quiz #5 ON THE ENTIRE BOOK
To Write:Weekly Response #7 due
Coetzee, Disgrace 1-87; Coetzee, Disgrace 88-174; quiz #5 ON THE ENTIRE BOOK To Write:
Weekly Response #7 dueDec. 6
To Read: Coetzee, Disgrace 175-220; course conclusions
To Write: Paper #2 due
Coetzee, Disgrace 175-220; course conclusionsTo Write: Paper #2 due
There will be no Final Exam in this course.