Introduction

Literature has often been distinguished form rhetoric as a text that refers only to itself rather than a form of language that influences the actions of people. In this class, however, we hope that we can learn to read literature aesthetically—as a work of art that is meant to be enjoyed—and rhetorically—as language that persuades. We hope, in other words, to develop ways of talking about literature in terms of what it does both formally and rhetorically. As we read Morrison’s Jazz, we want to consider what her narrative does: what sorts of relationships do the words form between images, between ideas, between sounds? We want also to consider what the words do once they leave the page. That is, what do they do in the mouth or the mind of the reader and how do these word construct for us ways of seeing and being in the world? In particular, given the focus of our class, how does Morrison represent the Jazz Age? How does she construct through her narrative ways of knowing the Jazz Age? To what extent does her representation of this historical moment correspond to, deviate from (oppose) popular or traditional ways of understanding the Jazz Age? The objectives of the second half of Freshmen Composition, ENC 1102, carry on those of ENC 1101, but concentrate on the interpretation of cultural “texts” in an attempt to develop critical-thinking, observation, analytical, and comprehension skills. Through various readings, journal entries, formal essays, collaborative projects, and instructed guidance, students will further develop written and verbal skills. ENC 1102 is also a Gordon Rule course requiring that at least 6000 words be written by each student upon its completion. This section of ENC 1102 meets in the English Department’s computer classroom, CPR-202. The object of this section is to familiarize the student with various new approaches to instruction and communication, emphasizing pragmatic and theoretical concerns in the process. The computers will assist the instructors, but in no way attempt to replace them; computers are tools that will help with efficiency, variety, and practicality in the instruction and learning of Freshmen Composition. It should also be noted that this class is not a computer class, but an English class; writing is still our primary concern. The computer instruction will be limited to the applications utilized by the class.

© 1999 by Gerald R. Lucas Made with Macintosh 16 May 1999 The Jazz Age | Home | Teaching | Links | Literature | Projects | Info