Pol. 117 RESISTANCE AND EMPOWERMENT Fall 1996 T.Th. 1:40-3:10 Smullin 159 Suresht Bald

Course description: This course focuses on the writings of the traditionally disempowered - the colonized Third World, ethnic and racial minorities, and women - in order to study the politics of exclusion, resistance and empowerment.

The course has two main objectives: 1. to provide a forum to read, explain and interrogate text; and 2. to acquaint you with different forms of writing in the discipline of Politics. Class discussion and learning through writing will be stressed.

My role in the class will not be to "teach" but to encourage you to learn, to develop your ability to think for yourself, to question what you read, and to write thoughtful papers in a clear and coherent manner. The format and assignments of the course are designed to help you clarify your own thinking and express your thoughts persuasively; to enhance your abilities to conceptualize, analyze, synthesize, and question the material you read; and to strengthen your reading, writing, oral communication, and research skills.

You will be responsible for your own and your peers' learning, and I will expect thoughtful and well-informed interaction among the class members. Since the class will be discussion-based it is imperative that you come to class well prepared. This means completing the readings prior to the class, identifying the key issues in the readings, forming reasoned opinions on those issues, and being ready to explain and defend your opinions.

The class will be divided into several writing groups; the composition of these groups may change during the semester. These groups and the writing center will help you formulate your ideas before you write your paper. First drafts of papers are required and need to be appended to the final draft along with any comments made by your peers or the writing center staff. Please see me whenever you need to bounce off ideas, want to continue a discussion started in class, or need clarification on assignments. I welcome such visits. My office is Smullin 332, and

my office hours are: M. 10 - 11:30; T. 11:20 - 12; 3:20 - 4:20;

W. 1:30 - 2:40; Th. 11:20 - 12; 3:20 - 4; and by appointment.

Assignments and grading:

Three short (6-7 pages) papers (100 pts each)..............300 pts. In-class essay.............................................100 pts.

Class participation will carry............................100 pts.

The grade for participation will be based on:

1. the rigor of your analyses;

2. the clarity of your presentations;

3. your willingness to contribute;

4. occasional written reports on readings; and

5. in-class written work.

Late papers will not be accepted.

Plagiarism: "Copying or imitating the language, ideas, or thoughts of another author and passing off the same as one's own original work." (The American College Dictionary, New York: Random House, 1955, p.925) Plagiarism can be grounds for expulsion; it is taken very seriously by the faculty and administration. Please credit the source from where you obtain your material.

Required readings

See course schedule. Remember to complete assigned readings before the corresponding class meetings so that you can participate in class discussions.

Available for purchase at the Bookstore

A. Memmi, The Colonizer and the Colonized

M. Ferguson (ed.), The History of Mary Prince

J. W. Houston and J. D. Houston, Farewell to Mananzar

A. Dorfman, Widows

A. Davis, An Autobiography

M. Gandhi, Hind Swaraj

I Rigoberta Menchu Tr. by A. Wright

Malcolm X, Two Speeches

U. Le Guin, The Dispossessed

K. Marx & F. Engels, The Communist Manifesto

Course Schedule

Sept. 3 T. Introduction to the course and to your writing group.

5 Th. Memmi, Colonizer and the Colonized, pp. 1-44.

10 T. Memmi, pp. 45-118.

12 Th. Memmi, pp. 118-153; and

History of Mary Prince, Introduction (skim).

17 T. History of Mary Prince, pp. 45-120.

19 Th. Video. Start reading Farewell to Manzanar.

Monday 23: members of writing group "A" will distribute drafts of their paper to the whole class by noon. Please read them carefully and come to class with constructive feedback. Groups "B", "C", and "D" will exchange drafts within their groups for feedback.

24 T. Discussion of group A's drafts.

26 Th. Finish Farewell to Manzanar.

27 F. PAPER #1 DUE FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT GROUP "A"

Monday 30 : Paper #1 due for group "A".

Oct. 1 T. Communist Manifesto pp. 8-31.

3 Th. Davis, Autobiography pp. 3-45.

8 T. Davis, pp. 45-113, 283-298.

10 Th. Davis, 357-400.

15 T. Video. Malcolm X, Two Speeches.

17 Th. I Rigoberta Menchu, Introduction and pp. 1-37.

Monday 21 : Group "B" will distribute drafts to the rest of the class. Other groups will exchange drafts within their respective groups.

22 T. Discussion of group B's drafts.

24 Th. Menchu, pp. 38-86.

Friday 25 : PAPER #2 DUE FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT GROUP "B".

Monday 28 : Paper #2 due for group "B".

29 T. Menchu, pp. 87-149.

31 Th. Menchu, pp. 150-194.

Nov. 5 T. Menchu, pp. 195-247.

7 Th. Widows, pp. 9-53.

12 T. Widows, pp. 57-146.

14 Th. Gandhi, pp. 18-49.

Monday 18 : GROUPS C AND D WILL DISTRIBUTE THEIR DRAFTS OF PAPER #3 TO THE WHOLE CLASS BY NOON. Groups A and B will exchange drafts within their respective groups.

19 T. We will discuss A's and B's drafts.

Please remember to bring your comments.

21 Th. Gandhi, pp. 49-92.

Friday 22 PAPER #3 DUE FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT GROUPS C AND D.

Monday 25 : Paper #3 due for groups C and D.

26 T. The Dispossessed, pp. 1-125.

THANKSGIVING VACATION

Dec. 3 T. Le Guin, pp. 126-307.

5 Th. Le Guin, pp. 308-387.

10 T. Catch-up/review.

12 Th. In-class essay.