College of Arts and Sciences

Department of English
ENGL 366: Literature of Immigration
Spring 2017
CO 203
M/W/F 10:10-11:00
Instructor Information
Instructor: Dr. Paul M Worley
Campus Office/Office hours: CO 409, 11:00-12:00 MWF and by appointment
Email: pmworley@wcu.edu
Website: paulmworley.com
Rationale/Purpose
In this seminar students will consider Native American and Indigenous literatures from a perspective that encompasses the Western
Hemisphere as a whole. Readings will note the similarities and difference that exist across these literary traditions while paying
particular attention to the roles that conquest, colonization, and the introduction of the letter have played in the evolution of Native
American and Indigenous literary traditions.

Course Aims and Objectives

Students enrolled in the course will:
Be able to identify the cultural, historical, and political dimensions of Native American and Indigenous texts
Compare the approaches and forms of resistance present within these works
Demonstrate how these works appropriate Western ways of knowing for non-Western ends
Evaluate the political possibilities of these aesthetic interventions
Produce original scholarly work that explores these topics
Course Materials
Required:
Purchase: All texts may purchased via the university bookstore or online
Hedge Coke, Sing.
Montejo, Testimony: Death of a Guatemalan Village.
Prez, Diary of an Undocumented Immigrant.
Silko, Ceremony.
Background/supplemental readings:
Accessed by Dropbox link or via links on the syllabus
Faculty Expectations of Students/Course Policies
Attendance:
Students may miss three (3) meetings without a deduction in the final grade. These are not
excused, per se, and students are expected to make up any work they miss. Upon four (5)
absences, students may automatically fail the course.

Page 1 of 7

Timely Submissions:
All assignments are expected to be completed on time by class time on the date due. Any
work submitted the following day will be subject to a deduction of a full letter grade (assessed
from what would otherwise be the assignments final grade). No late work will be accepted
beginning two days after the original due date.
Expectations for Submitting Required Work:
All work will be submitted both electronically via BB. Hard copy submissions will not be
accepted. Note: technical difficulties are not an acceptable reason for delayed submissions.
When you upload an assignment, double-check to make sure you have uploaded the correct
document in the correct format, etc. Any submission that does not meet the minimum
requirements outlined in the assignment (format, length, number of outside sources cite, etc.)
may be given an automatic grade of F and returned without further comment.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Western Carolina University is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for
students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. Students who require
reasonable accommodations must identify themselves as having a disability and/or medical
condition and provide current diagnostic documentation to Office of Accessibility Resources.
All information is confidential. Please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources at (828)
227-3886 or come by Suite 135 Killian Annex for an appointment.
Student Support Services:
Student Support Services provides support to students who are either first-generation, lowincome or independent with: academic advising, mentoring, one-on-one tutorial support, and
workshops focused on career, financial aid and graduate school preparation. You may contact
SSS at (828) 227-7127 or email sssprogram@wcu.edu for more information. SSS is located in
the Killian Annex, room 138.
Course Evaluation:
Administered at the end of the semester.
Civility and Ground Rules:
The Western Carolina University Community Creed states: I will respect the rights and wellbeing of others.
Each student may possess different ideas, as well as different ways of communicating those
ideas. Because of these differences, respect and civility are integral to maintaining the quality
of the academic environment and free inquiry.
(http://www.wcu.edu/experience/dean-of-students/policies-affecting-students/statement-ofstudent-rights-and-responsibilities.asp)
SafeAssign Tool:
All written work submitted for this class is eligible for submission to the SafeAssign tool at the
instructors discretion.
Academic Integrity Policy and Reporting Process:
This policy addresses academic integrity violations of undergraduate and graduate students.
Graduate students should read inside the parenthesis below to identify the appropriate
entities in charge of that step of the process.
Students, faculty, staff, and administrators of Western Carolina University (WCU) strive to
achieve the highest standards of scholarship and integrity. Any violation of the Academic
Integrity Policy is a serious offense because it threatens the quality of scholarship and
undermines the integrity of the community. While academic in scope, any violation of this
policy is by nature, a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and will follow the same
Page 2 of 7

conduct process (see ArticleVII.B.1.a.). If the charge occurs close to the end of an academic
semester or term or in the event of the reasonable need of either party for additional time to
gather information timelines may be extended at the discretion of the Department of Student
Community Ethics (DSCE).
General:
This policy addresses academic integrity violations of undergraduate and graduate students.
Students, faculty, staff, and administrators of Western Carolina University (WCU) strive to
achieve the highest standards of scholarship and integrity. Any violation of this policy is a
serious offense because it threatens the quality of scholarship and undermines the integrity of
the community.
Instructors have the right to determine the appropriate academic sanctions for violations of
the Academic Integrity Policy within their courses, up to an including a final grade of F in the
course in which the violation occurs.
Definitions:
1. Cheating Using, or attempting to use, unauthorized materials, information, or study
aids in any academic exercise.
2. Fabrication Creating and/or falsifying information or citation in any academic exercise.
3. Plagiarism Representing the words or ideas of someone else as ones own in any
academic exercise.
4. Facilitation Helping or attempting to help someone to commit a violation of the
Academic Integrity Policy in any academic exercise (e.g. allowing another person to
copy information during an examination).
Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Integrity Process:
Additional information is available on the Student Success website under Student Community
Ethics:
http://www.wcu.edu/experience/dean-of-students/academic-integrity.aspx
Resources
Hunter Library
Hunter Library provides students with access to group and individual study spaces and to
thousands of information resources: print and electronic books, newspapers, and scholarly
journal articles. These resources can be searched online and often accessed there
(http://www.wcu.edu/hunter-library) or can be searched and located in the library building.
Students in need of research or library support can get help
(http://researchguides.wcu.edu/help) from library staff and subject specialists skilled in their
specific disciplines and find resources specific to their disciplines and assignments via the
librarys research guides (http://researchguides.wcu.edu/).
Writing and Learning Commons (WaLC):
The Writing and Learning Commons (WaLC) is a free student service, located in BELK 207,
providing course tutoring, writing tutoring, academic skills consultations, international student
consultations, graduate and professional exam preparation resources, and online writing and
learning resources for all students. To schedule tutoring appointments, visit the WaLC
homepage (http://tutoring.wcu.edu) or call 828-227-2274.
Distance students and students taking classes at Biltmore Park are encouraged to use
Smarthinking, an online tutoring service (http://www.wcu.edu/apply/distance-onlineprograms/student-resources/services-for-distance-students.asp), and the WaLCs online
resources.
Page 3 of 7

Intercultural Affairs:

The ICA office offers a variety of workshops, trainings, and conferences throughout
the year. Visit the ICA office (227 AK Hinds University Center) or their website
(http://ica.wcu.edu) for details.

WCU Community Creed and Student Code of Conduct

The WCU Community: As a Western Carolina University Student, I will:
Live by high standards of personal integrity;
Embrace my responsibilities as a member of this community;
Respect the rights and well-being of others;
Engage myself in the artistic, cultural, and academic life of my University;
Celebrate and express pride in Western Carolina University.
Student Code of Conduct:
http://www.wcu.edu/WebFiles/PDFs/Catamount_Code_Final_Document.pdf
Blackboard Support:
The learning management system for this class is blackboard and can be found at:
http://wcu.blackboard.com. Additional help with blackboard can be found at: tc.wcu.edu,
(828) 227-7487 or by visiting the Technology Commons located on the ground floor of the
Hunter Library.
Grading Procedures
Paper #1
Paper #2
Final Project
Participation and Homework
Mid-Term
Final Exam

Percentage of Grade
10%
15%
20%
20%
15%
20%
Final Grade:

Students Score

Papers #1 and #2: due dates listed in the syllabus

Each paper will be between 3-4 full pages, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12 point font, with 1-inch margins.
Papers are exercises in critical thinking where you will read texts, analyze them, and draw conclusions based on
supporting evidence that you will assemble. These will require a bit of original research and have no fewer that 2
outside scholarly sources NOT read for class. As always, papers at every stage should follow MLA format and
documentation, be free of errors in spelling and grammar, and by typed. As stated below, plagiarism is not tolerated.
These can dovetail with the final paper.
More detailed instructions on both papers will be available at a later date.
Final Project: Due the day of the Final Exam
This is the major assignment for the course and has two options.
A) A well-written and well-argued literary analysis of one (or a comparative literary analysis of two) works read
in class. The topic is open. It should be 8-10 full pages in length, and double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12
point font, with 1-inch margins, following MLA format. This should include no fewer than 5 outside scholarly
sources NOT read for class that are NOT cited in previous essays.
Page 4 of 7

B) (PENDING) Participate in the creation of a multi-lingual anthology of indigenous literature. Students will be
responsible for seeing the project through from start to finish, including translation and selection of works,
and have the opportunity to go to Mexico create the book at the world-famous Maya-book cooperative, Taller
leateros. There will also be opportunities to fundraise money to support the trip and production costs. In
addition the anthology, students will also produce a 3-4 page reflective piece about their participation in the
project that includes no fewer than 3 outside scholarly sources not read for class.
C) OR: Students will produce an exhibition of contemporary indigenous literatures at the Jackson County
Library. In addition the exhibition, students will also produce a 3-4 page reflective piece about their
participation in the project that includes no fewer than 3 outside scholarly sources not read for class.
Participation and Homework
You are expected to attend class and actively participate in discussion by coming prepared, having read the days
reading, bringing your book, and by asking and responding to questions. This is a discussion-based course, so if I
have to call on you, you are not actively participating!
Any daily pop quizzes done in class will be allocated here.
Mid-Term and Final Exams
These will be discussed at length in advance of exam dates. There will be no study guide, and students are expected to
use their notes from class discussions in preparation for these exams.

Grading Scale:
A+ = 97-100
A = 93-96
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
Other Grades:
I
Incomplete
IP
In Progress
S
Satisfactory
U
Unsatisfactory
W
Withdrawal
AU
Audit
NC
No Credit

C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
D- = 60-62
F = 0-59
Grade/Quality Points
Per Semester Hour:
A+
4.0
A
4.0
A
3.67
B+
3.33
B
3.0
B
2.67
C+
2.33
C
2.0
C
1.67
D+
1.33
D
1.0
D
0.67
F
0.0

Page 5 of 7

The grades of A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- and F indicate gradations in quality
from Excellent to Failure. Please note that a C- grade is less than satisfactory and may not
meet particular program and/or course requirements.
Students must be familiar with the class attendance, withdrawal, and drop-add policies and
procedures.
Tentative Course Schedule
Visit: http://www.paulmworley.com/courses/spring-2017/engl-496-seminar-in-worldliterature/engl-496-course-calendar/
Academic Calendar
This includes dates for all breaks, university closures, final exams, etc. The academic calendar
can be found at http://www.wcu.edu/learn/academic-calendar.asp
Final Exam
The university final exam schedule can be found here:

https://www.wcu.edu/registrar/calendars/spring_final_exam.pdf
Important Dates: Spring 2017
Residence Halls Open
Friday, January 6
First Day of Classes
Monday, January 9
MLK Day No Classes
Monday, January 16
Fifth Week Grades Due
Monday, February 13
Advising Day No Classes
Tuesday, February 21
Registration Begins
Wednesday, February 22
Spring Break No Classes
Monday Friday, March 6 10
Last Day to drop with a W
Monday, March 13
No Classes
Wednesday Friday, April 12 14
Last Day of Classes
Friday, April 28
Final Exams
Saturday Friday, April 29 May 5
Commencement (graduate)
Friday, May 5
Commencement (undergraduate)
Saturday, May 6
All Grades Due by 10:00 am
Monday, May 8
This syllabus, with its course schedule, is based on the most recent information about the course
content and schedule planned for this course. Its content is subject to revision as needed to
adapt to new knowledge or unanticipated events. Updates will remain focused on achieving the
course objectives and students will receive notification of such changes. Students will be notified
of changes and are responsible for attending to such changes or modifications as distributed by
the instructor or posted to Blackboard.
[Special thanks to Cornell Universitys Center for Teaching Excellence for providing parts of this
template. See http://www.cte.cornell.edu/ for more information]

I have read and understood the course syllabus.

___________________________________________
Name

_________________________
Date