ENH260 Schedule of Assignments Fall 2001Note: This is a plan, and plans sometimes have to be changed. If changes become necessary,
they will be announced in class. Pay careful attention to such announcements, and record necessary changes on this page.Complete the reading and the Learning Log assignment before class meets on the day indicated.
August
20 In Class: Introduction to course and policies; discussion of culture and of literature22 Read Kittredge pp. 1-16; Learning Log: Describe the stories on pp. 6-16 in
Kittredge as you would for someone who had never read or heard them. Do not summarize;
rather describe the tone, the kinds of characters, the kinds of meanings, etc. Discuss how
these stories are like the stories you were told as a child, and how they are different.24 Read Momaday pp. 1-35; Learning Log: The Kiowas refer to themselves as "coming out
people," and Momaday says that their journey was a journey in which they invented
themselves as a people. Identify what seem to be the most important acquisitions made by the
Kiowas on their journey, the importance of each, and how each influenced the Kiowas’ idea of
themselves.27 Read Momaday pp. 36-63; Learning Log: What understanding of Kiowa cultural values
and traditions do you gain from "The Way to Rainy Mountain"? Identify and explain the
specific passages in the book that you think demonstrate these values and traditions.29 Read Momaday pp.65-89; Learning Log: Discuss the similarities and differences between
the culture of the Kiowas and that of your own culture, and what these similarities and
differences suggest to you about the nature of human cultures.31 Review for test on Kittredge and Momaday.
September
3 Read Anaya, pp.1-38. Learning Log: Discuss the differences between Antonio’s mother’s
family and his father’s family. What passages indicate what they are? In what ways are these
differences likely to cause problems for him? In what ways might they be advantageous to him?5 Read Anaya, pp. 39-69; Learning Log: The character of Ultima is very complex. Discuss the
qualities you see in her, and identify the passages that demonstrate these qualities.7 Read Anaya, pp.70-105; Learning Log: How does the curing of Uncle Lucas add to your
understanding of the character of Ultima and of the beliefs of the people? In what way does the
Catholicism of the people of the Valle conflict with their belief in the brujas and in Ultima’s
ability to heal?10 Read Anaya, pp. 106-136; Learning Log: The story of the Golden Carp presents a different
kind of belief system from the Catholicism that Tony has been raised in. Explain the kind of
belief system it seems to be, identify the passages that lead you to interpret it as you do, and
discuss the conflict this creates for Tony.14 Read Anaya, pp. 106-135; Learning Log #8: The story of the Golden Carp
presents a different kind of belief system from the Catholicism that Tony
has been raised in. Explain the kind of belief system it seems to be,
identify the passages that lead you to interpret it as you do, and discuss the
conflict this creates for Tony.17 Read Anaya, pp. 136-top of 168; Learning Log #9: Throughout the sequence of
several events, including the curing of Uncle Lucas, the confrontation
between Tenorio and Ultima, the death of Tenorio's daughter, the fight
between Narciso and Tenorio, and Antonio's discovery that Andrew
frequents Rosie's establishment, Antonio struggles to understand the
nature of good and evil. What concept of evil does the novel seem to be
presenting? Refer to particular passages to support your explanation.
How does this concept coincide with and/or differ from your concept of
evil?19 Read Anaya, pp. 168-202; Learning Log #10: How do you interpret the dream
Antonio has during his severe illness after the death of Narciso? Give
reasons to explain the various parts of your interpretation.21 Read Anaya, pp. 203-235; Learning Log #11: What do you think the "practice
confession" in which Antonio is forced to play the priest reveals about the
way in which societies control the behavior and beliefs of their members?
How is the behavior of these little boys and girls a kind of mirror of adult
behavior, both in the towns of Guadalupe and El Puerto and in the real-life
towns that you are familiar with?24 Read Anaya, pp. 236-end; Learning Log #12: Bless Me, Ultima is one of a
category of novel that chronicles the growing up of a young person and
his/her discovery of his/her place in his/her society. What kind of identity
do you think Antonio will establish for himself, and why do you think so?
Refer to specific passages to support your answer.26 No new reading assignment; Learning Log #13: What are the most significant or
prominant qualities of the early hispanic culture of the Southwest as it is
presented in Bless Me, Ultima? What qualities are similar to the Kiowa
culture that appears in The Way to Rainy Mountain? What qualities are
different? What cultural characteristics are beginning to seem universal,
transcending cultural boundaries? Refer to specific passages to support
your answer.28 Review for test on Bless Me, Ultima
October
1 Read Kittredge, bottom of p.124 -middle of p. 135; bottom of 116-124; bottom of
p. 135-middle of p. 145; p. 47-middle of p.60. Learning Log #14: What
are the most important or most common reactions of Anglos and European
immigrants to the new land and the new people they discover? What
aspects of their own Anglo/European culture help them understand and
cope with their new experiences? What aspects of their own Anglo/
European culture hinder them? What universal human values do
you see transcending cultural boundaries? Refer to specific passages to
illustrate your comments.3 Read Kittredge, pp.95-116. Learning Log #15: Describe the tone and/or style
that the Journals of Lewis and Clark are written in, refer to specific
passages to illustrate your description, and discuss the attitude toward the
land that seems to be revealed in the journals.5 Read Kittredge, pp. 259-283. Learning Log #16: Describe the qualities of the
American Cowboy, as suggested by Larry McMurtry. Refer to specific
passages to support your characterization.8 Read Kittredge, pp. 180-195. Learning Log #17: Discuss the kinds of people
Burt Barricune and Ransome Foster are, including the extent to which they
are opposites and the extent to which they are similar. Refer to specific
passages to illustrate your descriptions.10 Read "That Horse" and "Coyote Woman" (Handouts). Learning Log #18:
Discuss the endurance and tenacity of character and /or identity revealed
in both stories. Refer to specific passages to illustrate your discussion.12 Read Abbey, pp. ix-47. Learning Log #19: What attitude toward the land is
revealed in Edward Abbey’s essays? How is his apparent attitude similar
to and different from the attitudes revealed by other anglo southwesterners?
Refer to specific passages to illustrate your discussion.15 Classwork: In groups, discuss the meaning of the incident in which Abbey kills a
rabbit with a rock (pp. 40-42). What is he elated about, or what does he think the
incident means? Do you agree or disagree? Explain your reasons.17 Read Abbey, pp.141-160. Learning Log #20: Explain what you think
Abbey means when he says there is no shortage of water in the desert.
Discuss what you think Abbey’s response would be to the kinds of water
conservation programs often promoted by Phoenix, Tucson, and other
cities in Arizona and the other states of the Southwest. Refer to
specific passages to support your answer.19 Read Abbey, pp. 48-73. Learning Log #21. Explain what Abbey means by the term
"Industrial Tourism." What is it, what is Abbey’s objection to it, and what are the reasons
for his objection? Refer to specific passages to support your answer. Do you agree or
disagree with Abbey’s position regarding how national parks, forests and monuments
should be managed? Explain your reasons.22 Re-read Abbey, pp. ix-73 and 141-160. Learning Log #22: Abbey says that he wants to
avoid ascribing human motives to the non-human: "The personification of the natural is
exactly the tendency I wish to suppress in myself,...I want to be able to look at and into a
juniper tree, a piece of quartz, a vulture, a spider, and see it as it is in itself...."(p.7). To
what extent has he succeeded or failed to do this? Refer to both passages in which he
fails and passages in which he succeeds.24 Review for test on Anglo Southwestern readings.