HSS403(004) Literature Seminar in Humanities:
NEWARK NARRATIVES
(See my comments below)
Course Description
Course Description
This course is a comprehensive survey of Newark, a combined literature/cultural studies seminar and anthropological field work course designed to explore and map Newark in various disciplines, including literature, history, film, politics, religion, architecture, and sociology. It will be provisional and investigative, based on knowledge accrued and acquired, delving into various possible lines and intersections of inquiry. We will be cartographers of the cosmopolis, generating new insights into the various meanings about cities and city life.
Requirements
You are expected to keep up with the reading in the texts and complete all assigned exercises. Classroom participation is essential You will be utilizing MOODLE 2.0 and expected to interact with its
contents regularly. Find the link at http://njit2.mrooms.net.
You are required to undertake Field Work in preparation of a final project that will help construct and map an understanding of the city. Your approach can be flexible and multi-disciplinary and should include at least 4 relevant interviews. Please consult with me about your ideas and I shall offer intensive oversight throughout your project.
Also:
Two Essays 40%
Quizzes (2) 10%
Oral Presentation 10%
Fieldwork Assignment 20%
Weekly writings 10%
Class Participation 10%
Required Texts
Baraka, Amiri. Tales of the Out & Gone (Akashic Books: 978-1933354125)
Parks, Brad. Faces of the Gone (Minotaur Books: 978-0312672805)
Porambo, Ronald. No Cause for Indictment: An Autopsy of Newark (Melville House: 978-1433633213)
Roth, Philip. American Pastoral (Vintage: 978-0375701429)
Roth, Philip. Nemesis (Vintage: 978-0307475008)
***Supplementary Materials will be utilized as well***
After each class I will post my comment on the class or the readings.
This will be my "blog" for the course)
Calendar/Course Outline
Week 1
1/21
Introduction
Lecture: “Newark through the Ages” (Liz Del Tufo, Newark Landmarks and
Heritage Preservation Commission)
1/24 Introduction Part II
As usual, I was admitted to the class late (Tuition Waiver strikes again) and missed the first day of lecture. I arrived early for the second lecture and found a seat near my friend. Be advised, I am NOT a morning person. A 10am class is more than my system can bear. Add to that, lack of coffee... I was in dire need of a jolt to my system. HA!!! I got it! In walks this scrawny, young man that looked like he couldn't be much older than the rest of the class. I thought he was a student. He begins in a very animated fashion to discuss Newark, and books and Baraka and I was completely confused because I thought he was one of the students and that the professor was late and someone was playing a gag. So I asked "And who are you?" Gag! It's the professor! He must have thought... well, I have no idea what he thought because I wasn't capable of exercising my brain yet. Anyway, he was so energetic and for the next hour and a half I tried to keep up with this bouncing coffee bean. I learned so much about Newark, Baraka and got a good overview of what my semester would be. The class was absolutely enjoyable. (Minus the time and the location!)
As usual, I was admitted to the class late (Tuition Waiver strikes again) and missed the first day of lecture. I arrived early for the second lecture and found a seat near my friend. Be advised, I am NOT a morning person. A 10am class is more than my system can bear. Add to that, lack of coffee... I was in dire need of a jolt to my system. HA!!! I got it! In walks this scrawny, young man that looked like he couldn't be much older than the rest of the class. I thought he was a student. He begins in a very animated fashion to discuss Newark, and books and Baraka and I was completely confused because I thought he was one of the students and that the professor was late and someone was playing a gag. So I asked "And who are you?" Gag! It's the professor! He must have thought... well, I have no idea what he thought because I wasn't capable of exercising my brain yet. Anyway, he was so energetic and for the next hour and a half I tried to keep up with this bouncing coffee bean. I learned so much about Newark, Baraka and got a good overview of what my semester would be. The class was absolutely enjoyable. (Minus the time and the location!)
Week 2:
1/28-1/31 The Poetry of Amiri Baraka
(scroll down and read the three featured poems)
Scroll on down @ http://books.google.com/books/about/The_LeRoi_Jones_Amiri_Baraka_Reader.html?id=8b23nGHEgWkC
Baraka was an old professor of mine back in the 80's he taught Black American Literature at Stony Brook University. Back then he was (and always will be) a spitfire! His classes were not to be missed. However, I hated then, as I do now READING his poetry. They are better when he reads them preferably accompanied by music. Jazz to be exact. I enjoyed the videos posted online of his work. However, I have to be in a frame of mind (suggest one takes some kind of mind altering substance) when reading his poetry. Why? Because they are not for the light of brain. You MUST pay attention and be willing to do some mental gymnastics to appreciate his work. I have become sedentary in my thinking and therefore found it a workout similar to boot camp when reading his work. Just my POV. You're entitled to yours.
There has been enough controversy around Somebody Blew Up America, look it up if you don't know, that I don't need to get into it. I do however respect and appreciate it because it does make you ask Who? Who? Whooooo? and for me that was the reason for the piece. At the time it was written, and unfortunately this state hasn't changed, Americans were willing to accept everything that was fed by the media. We need to start looking behind the curtain and seeing the Great and Powerful Oz for who he really is. We need to find out who is behind that curtain and ask the important question, Who made you Oz and Why?
There has been enough controversy around Somebody Blew Up America, look it up if you don't know, that I don't need to get into it. I do however respect and appreciate it because it does make you ask Who? Who? Whooooo? and for me that was the reason for the piece. At the time it was written, and unfortunately this state hasn't changed, Americans were willing to accept everything that was fed by the media. We need to start looking behind the curtain and seeing the Great and Powerful Oz for who he really is. We need to find out who is behind that curtain and ask the important question, Who made you Oz and Why?
Week 3:
2/4-2/7
Amiri Baraka, Tales of the Out & Gone
read a few of the tales... own the book but honestly... not feeling it as much as I would like to. Lazy or got other things going on? perhaps both. Dealing with Dad's cancer and impending death doesn't give me much time to read this week. Grrr (I know I hit you with an unexpected twist Damn you Cancer! You're a motherfucker! I hate you! what? Not enough you stole my brother a year ago now you want my Dad? FUCK YOU!
read a few of the tales... own the book but honestly... not feeling it as much as I would like to. Lazy or got other things going on? perhaps both. Dealing with Dad's cancer and impending death doesn't give me much time to read this week. Grrr (I know I hit you with an unexpected twist Damn you Cancer! You're a motherfucker! I hate you! what? Not enough you stole my brother a year ago now you want my Dad? FUCK YOU!
Week 4:
2/11 Documentary Screening: Revolution 67 (2007; Directors Marylou and
Jerome Bongiorno)
2/14 Class visit by Marylou and Jerome Bongiornos
Good documentary! (here is the link if you want to see it http://www.veoh.com/watch/v46353206MTkJmsQa?h1=Revolution+67 ) Anyway, snow stopped that presentation from happening. We've been getting a lot of snow this season. Not looking forward to having to make up snow days and equally bummed that because of the snow we missed our opportunity to meet with the producers. However, I did post my Q's to moodle. Probably the one thing that stuck me was the watermelon give away in the film. That, and Sharp James being interviewed. You'll have to watch the film to get what I'm saying. Anyway, here's hoping that next week we will NOT HAVE SNOW!
Week 5:
2/18 Roundtable Discussion
(**Note well: The entirety of Ronald Porambo’s No Cause for Indictment:
An Autopsy of Newark should be read**)
2/21 Discussion of the first 150 pages of Philip Roth’s American Pastoral
(Quiz will be administered at the start of class)
Week 6:
2/25 City Architecture: Class Visit by Tony Shumann and Matt Gosser, NJIT
College of Architecture
I am so inspired after attending this class. Prof. Shumann's passion was contagious. I left the class more inspired than I cold have imagined. I want to learn more of Newark. I would love it if the school were to be more invested. My mind is whirling with ideas and visions I imagine Newark being. Odd that I would come to "love" this city seeing it through different eyes. I was so inspired that after school I drove around the downtown area just getting my bearings. I'm excited to go to on this Friday's field trip. I still have my reservations but I'm excited about the possibilities.
I am so inspired after attending this class. Prof. Shumann's passion was contagious. I left the class more inspired than I cold have imagined. I want to learn more of Newark. I would love it if the school were to be more invested. My mind is whirling with ideas and visions I imagine Newark being. Odd that I would come to "love" this city seeing it through different eyes. I was so inspired that after school I drove around the downtown area just getting my bearings. I'm excited to go to on this Friday's field trip. I still have my reservations but I'm excited about the possibilities.
2/28 Field Trip to St. Benedict’s Prepatory
UPDATE: On Friday, 2/28, we will during class be going to St. Benedict's Preparatory
down the street to meet the filmmakers of REVOLUTION 67, enjoy a preview
of their new documentary about St. Benedict's called THE RULE, and take
a tour of the school. This is what one calls "'Deep Cultural Immersion!"
Get ready! Get reading! Get ready! Get reading! Get ready! Get reading!
Week 7:
3/4 New Work: Newark 3D (Performance Art Extravaganza)
Rough Draft of Essay One due in class
3/7
Discussion of the second 150 pages of Philip Roth’s American Pastoral
Final Draft of Essay One due in class
Week 8:
3/11 Walking Tour of Newark
3/14 Discussion of the second 150 pages of Philip Roth’s American Pastoral
(Quiz will be administered at the start of class)
Week 9:
***Spring Recess: NO CLASSES 3/15-3/23***
Week 10:
3/25 Discussion of American Pastoral (the book must be completed in its entirety: 423 Pages)
3/28 Visit to Newark Public Library Archives
Week 11:
4/1 Screening: Brick City
4/4 Screening: Brick City
Week 12:
4/8 Philip Roth’s Nemesis
4/11 Visit to the New Jersey Historical Society
Week 13:
4/15 Brad Parks, Faces of the Gone
4/18 Good Friday—No Classes
Week 14:
4/22 Brad Parks, Faces of the Gone (con’t)
Roundtable Discussion II
Rough Draft of Essay Two is due in class
4/25 Oral Presentations
Final Draft of Essay Two is due in class
Week 15:
4/29 Oral Presentations
5/2 Oral Presentations
Week 16:
5/6 (Friday) scheduled
Course Conclusions & Beginnings
Fieldwork Project Due
Pedagogy = education
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