EN 270 - Multicultural Literature

Description
An introduction to literature by African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Appalachian Americans and/or literature by African, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern writers; focusing also on feminist, lesbian/gay, and differently abled writers. Each semester specific cultures are covered. Course also focuses on cultural and critical issues raised by these works.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: EN 101 (C or higher)
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
None

General Education Requirement:
Humanities
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge, 4. Cultural Competence: Understand diverse interpersonal and cultural perspectives through analysis of scholarly or creative works
Course Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate an understanding of the differences and commonalities between humans from different time periods, cultures, geographies and demographics through the writing of several academic essays. (GELO 4)
Analyze a variety of texts (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, primary and secondary sources) in order to interpret how they shape, define, and explain cultural values, history or artifacts. (GELO 3)
Understand the unique perspectives of specific cultures, time periods, and/or human civilizations through critical analysis of texts.
Demonstrate, through written or oral communication, an understanding of how time, geography, socioeconomic status, political forces and ideological issues affect people from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
Reflect on how language usage in written or oral communication, texts, or creative artifacts can expand the student’s understanding of, and empathy for, all of humanity.
Discuss how communities, countries, or cultures differ in their values, politics, communication styles, beliefs and practices.
Understand that there are different perspectives on community, national, and international issues.
Use reflection to examine personal beliefs and values and identify their origins and potential biases.
Summarize key ideas or elements of a culture or community as presented in a text.

Course Outline:
I. Literature as Cultural Artifact

A. Literary elements prose and/or poetry used to develop an understanding of a culture

1. Character

2. Setting

3. Conflicts

4. Themes

5. Voice

6. Form or style

7. Cultural representations in prose and/or poetry

a. Artifacts

b. Historical context

c. Language usage

d. Power dynamics

e. Non-fiction representations of culture and power

i. Autobiography

ii. Eye-witness, survivor or participant accounts

iii. Credible sources of information in mass media and research documents

iv. Analysis of biases from an authorial perspective

v. Introduction to Critical Theories

1. Postcolonial

2. Social Theories (Feminist, Marxist, etc.)

3. Language Use

4. Lingua Franca

5. Dialect

6. Slang

7. Pidgin

8. Creole

9. Power Dynamics

a. Dominant/Subaltern

b. Objectification

i. Exoticism

ii. Orientalism

iii. Othering

c. Racism and Discrimination

d. Talking back to the Center, Empowerment

e. Cultural Analysis

i. Social Constructs of Race and Power

ii. Ideologies, Moralities and Religious Practices

iii. Otherness

iv. Dominant social structures

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture and introductory materials, including course handouts related to the texts used: 30-40%

Group work and facilitated discussion: discussing what has been read; working in groups to determine significance of some central or core issue raised in the text: 20-30%

Written assignments such as essays of brief analysis of the themes chosen from the texts: 20-30%

Occasional video presentation of some relevant subject matter derived from the texts: 5-10%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: N/A

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 100683
Course CIP Code: 23.01
Maximum Course Enrollment: 25
General Room Request: None

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: English
Discipline: EN
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
The instructor of English 270 must possess a MA in English or comparable equivalency of some training and/or experience in teaching diverse and multicultural literature.

Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20230223T13:12:32
Course Review & Revision Year: 2027-2028