Requirements
Readings
- Albury, Cheryl. Perspectives from Inner Windows.
- *Bahamian Anthology: College of The Bahamas. London: Macmillan Publishers, 1984.
- Saunders, Winston. You Can Lead a Horse to Water. Nassau: Rosebud/Media Publishing Ltd, 1997.
- LIT200 Photocopy packet found in the copy centres in A- and T- blocks.
Resources
- *Craton, Michael. A History of The Bahamas. 3rd ed. Waterloo, Ontario: San Salvador Press, 1986.
- *Craton, Michael and Gail Saunders. Islanders in the Stream: A History of the Bahamian People. Volume I. Athens & London: University of Georgia Press, 1992.
- *Craton, Michael and Gail Saunders. Islanders in the Stream: A History of the Bahamian People. Volume II. Athens & London: University of Georgia Press, 1998.
- *Dahl, Anthony G. Literature of The Bahamas 1724-1992: The March Towards National Identity. Lanham: University Press of America, Inc., 1995.
- *Powles, L.D. The Land of the Pink Pearl: Reflections of Life in The Bahamas. Nassau: Media Publishing Ltd., 1996.
Other Materials
- A notebook or folder for personal reading journal
- 8x11 white typing paper for essays and research paper
- 3.5" diskette (recommended)
Formatting tips
- Short essays are to be typed on one side only of white 8x11 paper. Margins should be 1" all the way around. Text is to be double-spaced. Permissible fonts include: Times, Palatino, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica or regular typewriter fonts. Each page is to be numbered, the number placed in the top right-hand corner. Your name, the course and section number, and the date must be placed on the first page of these essays, above the title.
- The research essay is to be typed on one side only of white 8x11 paper. Margins should be 1" all the way around. Text is to be double-spaced. Permissible fonts include: Times, Palatino, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica or regular typewriter fonts. Each page is to be numbered, the number placed in the top right-hand corner. The research essay is to include a cover page, which will provide the title of the essay, your name, my name, the course and section numbers, and the date. All sources are to be fully acknowledged in the text or in notes. It is also to include a bibliography of 4-6 references. The bibliography is to begin on a fresh page after the conclusion of your essay.
Evaluation
- 2 major essays 30%
These essays will be between 3-4 (typed, double-spaced) pages long. They may be based on an analysis/discussion of any one of the major texts we are studying. Papers should consider the text within the context of one or more of the themes that have been discussed in the course. I will provide you with some essay questions; some we will come up with together; some of you will pick your own topics.
- 1 mid-term essay 15%
This essay may be given as an essay to be in class, or it may be given as a take-home midterm. I will provide you with the question. It will be assigned at short notice. In most other respects it will resemble the major essays – it should relate to one or more of the themes that we are discussing in class.
- 1 in-class presentation 5%
This presentation should be about 5 minutes in length. It must be well-organized with a main point. You will use it to explain to the class what your research project is about, and it will, in effect, be a summary of that project. Simply presenting facts without analysis is not sufficient. On the day of your presentation you must hand in a one-page abstract that presents your main point and the evidence that you will present.
- 1 research project 40%
This essay will be between 10 and 12 pages long (3000-4000 words). It will deal with any of the themes we cover. Using your reading journals, you will uncover what appeals most to you, and you will develop a question that you find particularly interesting. The mark you receive in this essay will be related both to the in-class presentation and to your reading journals.
Attendance, participation, conferencing and journal 10%
Attendance is fundamental. Although there is no specific penalty for missing a class, consistent absences will significantly affect your grade.
You are expected to contribute to class discussions. Although I will take the lead in some of the earlier discussions, I will expect each member of the class to bring what they can to the course, and will demand you to take the lead later in the semester.
You are expected to discuss your research project with me. I will be requiring you to have chosen your direction by the end of week 9. Thereafter, I will expect you to discuss the progress of your research project with me during my office hours or by appointment.
You are required to keep a reading journal during the course. This journal will consist of your responses to the assigned readings. I will require you to provide me with five excerpts from this journal, each of which will receive one point. Out of this journal should come the inspiration and some of the ideas for your research project. Those sections of the journal relevant to the development of that essay are to be submitted along with the final product, and will be taken into consideration during the marking.
Course Outline
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An exploration of the written literature of The Bahamas, set against cultural and historical backgrounds. This course develops the critical framework for and insights into Bahamian literature.
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the course students should have a detailed knowledge, clear understanding and appreciation of selected works of Bahamian literature. More specifically, at the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Apply to their study of each work, knowledge of the historical, social, economic, cultural and political backgrounds against which each was written;
- Recognize and discuss themes and major preoccupations;
- Chart the recurrence of themes and preoccupations in a variety of works which span historical periods;
- Write critical essays on the works
- Explain structure;
- Comment on style, mood, tone, point of view;
- Analyze characters and techniques of characterization;
- Come to an understanding of the role literature plays as an expression of and contributor to national identity.
Syllabus
COURSE DESCRIPTION & PURPOSE
This is a study of the written tradition of The Bahamas. We will explore contemporary and older writings, examining form, content, and context. The focus of this course is on the writings, but we will consider cultural and historical backgrounds as a way to understand the texts. We hope to encourage an appreciation and a love for Bahamian writing as we share and learn together.
This course is organized around themes. Readings are assigned according to the themes. We will not cover all of the readings during class discussions, but all are useful. In addition, be prepared for changes; sometimes a situation may dictate that new readings are introduced or substitutions made.
ADVICE
- Keep up with the reading!!! Prepare all of the readings for the first class of each week.
- Work in groups. Discuss your topics and ideas with your classmates in your own time as well as sharing them in class.
- Use the Language Resource Centre (F8).
BROAD THEMES TO BE COVERED
- Paradise and Plantation
- The Discourse of Freedom
- Rule and Power
- Gender Roles and Relationships
- Self and Other
TENTATIVE SEMESTER PLAN
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
WEEK 1: August 29, 31 - Introduction
Personal introductions
Course outline and requirements
Introduction to Bahamian Literature: the written tradition - selected poems
We will examine one or two poems together during the first class, and discuss them in terms of the themes they raise.
For homework you will be expected to read more poem, which we will examine on Thursday. From these poems we will draw the main themes of this course.
Readings: "On a Coral Cay" – Marion Bethel
"The Wanderer" – Robert Johnson
"Cause the Arawak is Angry" – Norris Carroll
"And this Even Ain’ Georgia" – Norris Carroll
"Reunion" – Marcella Taylor
"Poem for Mothers" – Cheryl Albury
"Power" – Pat Rahming
"I Am A Bahamian" – James Catalyn
"Marchin’ On: A Psychological Triumph" – Susan Wallace
THEME #1: PARADISE & PLANTATION/TOURISM & COLONIALISM
WEEK 2: September 5, 7 – The Bahamas as Eden: perspectives from without and within
The personal narrative: form, purpose and impact
The early colonial context
Readings: Genesis 1-4
Memoirs (1783) – Peter Henry Bruce
Letters from the Bahama Isles (1823-4) – Adela Hart
Try the Bahamas (1886) – Henry Blake
"Ocean", in The Vision (1834) – John Boyd
WEEK 3: September 12, 14 – The Colonial Mindset: the people of Eden
The concept of the "native"
Readings: Genesis 9
Literature of The Bahamas (1995) – Anthony Dahl, chapter 6
Land of the Pink Pearl (1880s) – L.D. Powles, chapters IV and VI
Journal of Charles Farquharson (1800s)
Due: Journal #1 (Tue)
WEEK 4: September 19, 21 – Colonialism & Tourism: the insider’s perspective
The Bahamian response to colonialism and to tourism:
ignorance, complacency, acceptance, manipulation, exploitation
hosts or servants
Readings: Literature of The Bahamas (1995) – Anthony Dahl, chapter 13
"National Anthem" – Ian Strachan
"Wax Paper People" – Obediah Michael Smith
"Ole Zeke" – Susan Wallace
"Speak to Me" – Michael Pintard
"Of ‘The Barren’" – Meta Davis Cumberbatch
"The Queen’s Visit" – James Catalyn
THEME #2: THE DISCOURSE OF FREEDOM
WEEK 5: September 26, 28 – Determination or Determinism
Emancipation, liberation, majority rule, independence
Reading: Segregation Debate
The White Paper on Independence
The Constitution of The Bahamas
"Breakfast Bruise" – Patrick Rahming
"Slave Name" – Pat Rahming
"Battle of the Spring Tide" – Carol Lightbourn
Land of the Pink Pearl – L. D. Powles, chapter V
"Preface" – John Boyd
Due: Journal #2 (Tue)
THEME #3: RULE AND POWER
WEEK 6: October 3, 5 – Early Authority
Colonial leaders, representative government; race, class and authority
Reading: Literature of The Bahamas – Dahl, chapter 5
Land of the Pink Pearl (1880s) – L.D. Powles, excerpts
"In a Forgotten Colony" (1917) – Amelia Defries
Samples of "Satirically Speaking" – Jeanne Thompson
Samples of "Smokey Joe" – Eugene Dupuch
Due: Essay #1 (Tue)
WEEK 7: October 10, 12 – Struggle for Independence
Anti-discrimination movement; the rise of party politics; 1956, 1958, 1962, 1967, 1973, 1992
Reading: Excerpts from Islanders in the Stream, Vol. II – Craton and Saunders
"Marchin’ On: A Psychological Triumph" – Susan Wallace
"Black Jack King" OR "My Brothers and Sisters" – Pat Rahming
Excerpts from Naïve Agenda – Pat Rahming
Due: Outline/summary of scope and sources for final research project (Thur)
THEME #4: GENDER ROLES AND RELATIONSHIPS
WEEK 8: October 17, 19 - Gender Roles and Relationships:
The image of the male
Reading: Literature of The Bahamas – Dahl, Chapter 11
"Mr Macho-Man" – Tony Dahl
"He Jus’ Ain’ Leave No More" – Tony Dahl
"Rudy" – Pat Rahming
"The Chance" – Susan Wallace
"The Fledgeling" – Chester Thompson
You Can Lead a Horse to Water – Winston Saunders (study of the males)
Due: Journal #3 (Thur)
Due: In-class essay or take-home test (Tue)
WEEK 9: October 24, 26: Gender Roles and Relationships:
The image of the female
Reading: Literature of The Bahamas – Dahl, Chapter 12
"The Women of Bain Town" – Cleveland Eneas
"Blood Moon" – Marion Bethel
"Prayer for the Dilly" – Marion Bethel
"Superwife" – Cheryl Albury
"Woman Truths" – Lelawattee Manoo-Rahming
"Poem for an Unknown Sister" – Helen Klonaris
"Gloriana" – Ian Strachan
You Can Lead a Horse to Water – Winston Saunders (study of the females)
WEEK 10: October 31, November 2: Gender Roles and Relationships:
Making connections: relationships
Reading: "I Am Not Your Woman for the Night" – Cecilee Jayne Hilton
"No Place Time Space" – Marion Bethel
"The Oppressors" – Lynn Sweeting
"Periodic" – Michael Pintard
"The Catch" – Carol Lightbourne
"Waiting for Love" – Cheryl Albury
"Chalice" – Charles Huggins
Due: Journal #4
THEME #5: SELF AND OTHER
WEEK 11: November 7, 9: Early distinctions
Reading: Literature of The Bahamas – Dahl, chapter 7
The Journal of Christopher Columbus
Land of the Pink Pearl – L.D. Powles
"Sons of Adam" – Marion Bethel
"Songs for the Arawak" – Marcella Taylor
Due: Essay #2
WEEK 12: November 14, 16: Being Bahamian
Identity, race, colour, ethnicity
Reading: "Ethnic Groups", from How to be a True-True Bahamian – Patricia Glinton-Meicholas
"Sun in my Skin" – Robert Johnson
"Identity I" – Jerome Cartwright
"Aunt Selma’s Dilemma" – Nicolette Bethel
"Don’t" – Helen Klonaris
"Heritage" – Tania R. Dixon
"Sisterin" – R. Lynn Sweeting
Due: Journal #5
WEEK 13: November 21, 23: Who is a Bahamian?
Reading: Literature of The Bahamas – Dahl, chapter 15
"The Introduction" – Patricia Thompson
"Embargo" – Carol Lightbourne
"The Haitian Fortune Teller" – Marcella Taylor
"Footsteps in this Land" – Lelawattee Manoo-Rahming
"Daddy" – Lelawattee Manoo-Rahming
WEEK 14: November 28, 30: Presentations
Due: Final research projects are due to me personally on Friday, December 1, 2000, between 3 and 5 p.m. You may hand them in before then, but I will not accept submissions after 5 p.m. on Friday.
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