Course Objectives

To develop and enrich the students’ knowledge of “The Jazz Age,” its cultural, intellectual, philosophical, educational, socio-political-historical contexts, its continuing contemporary relevance, and its influence on the history of American literature and arts. To develop and enhance the students’ critical and analytical ability to read and understand literary and artistic texts in general, and Toni Morrison's Jazz in particular. To develop and enhance the students’ ability to think critically and creatively and to write and to speak effectively about literature. To develop an expanded and enlightened vision as to meaningful critical approaches to literary texts and culture based on the specific study of artistic production and presentation of Jazz-Age texts and representations of those texts in Morrison’s Jazz. To develop an appreciation for the diversity of ideals, values, perceptions, and expectations, exemplified not only within Jazz and Jazz-Age cultural production, but also as represented by the course participants. This course is beneficial for students wishing to enrich and deepen their knowledge of “The Jazz Age” and how it influenced subsequent literary and cultural thought. It will be valuable for students with a variety of general and specific interests, e.g., literary and cultural contexts; social, educational, religious, political, philosophical, and intellectual history; generic development of various types of art. This course will require active student involvement, close consideration of the primary texts (the major course text will be Toni Morrison’s Jazz), the compilation of a project which meets the course standards and requirements, and the fulfillment of all other requirements as specified on the syllabus and under course policies. Instructional Activities: Active Learning Our study will attempt to emphasize creating a supportive classroom and virtual climate for active learning through a positive group building process. Since active learning is student orientated and may appear to involve risk-taking, the course will focus on establishing trust, confidence, and respect between the instructor and students and among the students. To advance this climate and encourage the positive outcomes and benefactors of risk-taking, we will be clear, organized, current, and well-prepared, but flexible and personal. we will minimize the pain of student error making by separating learning from evaluating, and we will provide graduated and individualized risk-taking opportunities that will make learning worthwhile and exciting. Students will participate in this cooperative effort to build a supportive classroom atmosphere by coming to class on time and prepared with thoughtfully completed reading/writing assignments, by asking pertinent questions and sharing experiences and viewpoints, by reaching out personally to the professor and other students, by showing cooperation and respect, and providing positive feedback to the professor and peers. Projected Outcome The projected outcome of this course is that, based on an enhanced knowledge of early twentieth-century American history and production and a broad understanding of its cultural contexts and subsequent importance, an expanded an enlightened vision will emerge as to meaningful approaches to subsequent literary discourse and tradition. Moreover, the course subject and approach is intended to Nurture a general love for learning Empower students with positive sense of competency, skill, and autonomy Encourage a curious, investigative spirit and creative, independent thinking Foster a deepened and expanded understanding an appreciation of literature as a humanistic discipline Enrich students’ technological literacy and appreciation for multimedia as learning tools Forum Interactions This course will use a combination of traditional classroom interaction, in-class electronic interaction and research, and a distance component in the Internet and WebCT environments for continued discussion and research beyond the classroom.

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