Description: 

Students will sign up for the day they would like to submit their project. Students will choose to either submit a video slideshow (5-7 minutes) or a written, essay response (about 5-6 paragraphs).

Students will respond to the following for their chosen author and text:

1. Introduction: State the text that you chose to write about and include the title of the text, the author's name, and a brief description of why you chose this text. [For written responses, this will be approximately 1 paragraph]

2. Close Reading: Choose a passage, define specific words within the passage, and explain how the words help inform your reading of the passage, and how the passage informs your reading of the text. 

3. Critical Race Theory: How can we use Critical Race theory (CRT) as a lens through which to view your chosen text? 

4. Literary Theory: How can we use a literary theory as a lens through which to view your chosen text? 

5. Argument/Takeaway: After doing the close reading and applying CRT and a literary theory to your chosen text, discuss your overall interpretation (thesis/argument) about your text. What is your main takeaway from the text?  

What is "Accomplished: Excellent Work ⭐️"?

The Spotlight Project will be scored using a rubric that will be provided in Canvas. 

Description: 

There will be two opportunities this term to complete a Celebration of Knowledge assignment. These projects will allow you to demonstrate your mastery of course concepts including applying theoretical frameworks, employing effective close reading analyses, communicating your interpretations, connecting the texts to historical moments, synthesizing published literary criticism, and explaining how the texts relate to your own personal, cultural, historical, and ancestral backgrounds and experiences.

Both Celebrations of Knowledge are due the last week of our term.

For the first of the two celebrations of knowledge (COK), students will have a choice between a formal 6-8-page essay OR a 10-15-minute recorded video presentation that incorporates all of the required information. The second COK will be more creative in nature. More details will be given along with the specific prompts. Students are invited to work in groups of 2-3 for both COK's. Groups must email me to notify me that they are working as a team.

For the video recording option:

Students can design a PowerPoint, Google Slideshow, Prezi (or slideshow using another form of software). The slides must be detailed enough to be able to follow your train of thought on each slide and between slides. You should also include images throughout. Record your presentation slides as though you were presenting them in a face-to-face class. You can use Zoom or a similar program to share your slides on your screen and narrate your presentation with audio, creating a 10-15-minute webinar-style presentation.

What is "Accomplished: Excellent Work ⭐️"?

The celebrations of knowledge will be scored using a rubric that will be provided in Canvas. 

Description: 

The rough drafts of your first Celebration of Knowledge will be due a few days before the final draft. The rough drafts are to be COMPLETE, polished drafts. The idea is that you will gain constructive feedback from your peers to fine-tune your work for the final draft submissions. The goal is to only have about an hour of work left to finish your final drafts after you receive your peer feedback. For the 2 peer reviews, you will answer specific questions that are aligned with each prompt. For the assignment to be passing, students must submit their own draft and review at least 2 of their peers’ projects according to the instructions for the assignment. 

What is "Accomplished: Excellent Work ⭐️"?

• You must submit your own draft and 

• Complete at least two thorough and insightful peer reviews 

Description: 

There will be an assigned informal activity that correspond to the weekly readings. Students are invited to respond in any way that is authentic to their personal identities and their reading experiences for the week: options include submitting a written response, creating and explaining an artwork related to the readings, submitting a video response, submitting a recorded dialogue with a friend about the texts, etc.  There will be 9 opportunities for you to complete a reading activity (but if a student is submitting a Spotlight Project, they will be excused from the week's Reading Activity). The prompts for the activities will be assigned with the weekly readings. 

What is "Accomplished: Excellent Work ⭐️"?

• Complete all aspects of the prompt

• Follow directions 

• Circle back and respond to your peers' ideas

• Actively engage in the activity

Description: 

This is a discussion-based class; therefore, take advantage of vigorously participating in our course! The more you share and respond to your peers, the more you will take away from this course. You will be asked to submit your reactions to our texts and respond to your peers’ ideas.