History 391 Long Walk to Freedom: Nelson Mandela and Twentieth Century South Africa Spring 2021 Professor Poppy Fry [email protected] Wyatt Hall 132, CMB 1033 Office hours: TTH 11-12, F 12-2 and by appointment !https://pugetsound-edu.zoom.us/j/9106423104?pwd=emc5N1E1VkEwb1pVdG85MjFyN2xJdz09 Nelson Mandela became an international symbol of South Africa’s twentieth-century tragedies and triumphs, and for good reason; his experience touches on many of the major themes in that country’s history. This course will use Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, as a starting point for exploring the history and historiography of South Africa. Major topics will include rural life and the peasant experience, “tribalism” and the significance of tradition, urbanization and industrialization, the development of apartheid and anti-apartheid ideologies, and the implementation of democratic governance. Students will also consider the benefits and challenges of using autobiographies as historical sources, analyzing Mandela’s account in the context of other South Africans’ experiences and creating a final project which connects Long Walk to Freedom with another autobiography from 20th-century South Africa. This course will also take into particular consideration the ways in which learning about others’ experiences intersects with understanding one’s own. Course requirements: Grades will be determined as follows: Participation: 20% Participation includes having completed readings and arriving at class with comments or questions, as well as engaging with classmates and the professor in discussion, listening to others’ contributions and being willing to ask questions or express confusion. Quizzes and Homework: 10% Periodic quizzes will focus on South African geography and key historical events. Homework may include finding online materials, preparing outlines or summaries of readings, and other tasks needed for thorough and rich class discussions. Short Papers 40% total These three roughly five-page papers will respond to questions regarding course readings. Autobiography Project: 10% reports 20% final paper and project This project will stretch across the semester. In the early weeks of the term students will find (with the assistance of the professor) an autobiography by a 20th-century South African. Possible texts include those by Desmond Tutu, Rian Malan, Mark Mathabane, Antje Krog, Winnie Mandela, and many others. Over the next weeks, students will periodically report on their chosen autobiography in both oral and written formats. At the end of the semester students will write a roughly ten page paper on their chosen autobiography and create an additional creative project “relaunching” the text to the public. Required Texts: Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom Ezekiel Mphahlele, Down Second AvenueShula Marks, Not Either an Experimental Doll Other readings will be available on Canvas Course Policies: ACADEMIC HONESTY: We have a shared responsibility to protect the integrity of this intellectual community by following the best practices of academic honesty. Plagiarism of any kind will result in a grade of zero for the assignment, as well as the notification of the Dean’s Office. In egregious cases, plagiarism or cheating may result in an F for the course. Please refer to the Academic Integrity link on the homepage of the Collins Library as a guide—ignorance of academic dishonesty or its consequences will not be accepted as an excuse. WRITING CENTER: You are encouraged to make use of the resources available to you at the Center for Writing, Learning and Teaching. ACCOMMODATIONS: If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your coursework, please contact Peggy Perno, Director of Student Accessibility and Accommodation, 105 Howarth, 253.879.3399. She will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS: The university provides reasonable religious accommodations for academic courses and programs, and the university policy is found at https://www.pugetsound.edu/about/offices-services/human-resources/policies/campus-policies/student-religious-accommodations-in-academic-courses-or-programs/. ATTENDANCE: In light of this semester’s parameters, the course does not have a hard-and-fast attendance policy. Participation is an important component of the course, however. If you need to miss class, and especially if you must miss multiple classes, please be in contact with the instructor. LATE WORK: Assignments turned in after class will lose 1/3 of a grade (that is, a B+ paper would become a B paper). For each additional day the paper is late, it will lose an additional 1/3 of a grade. Under no circumstances will extensions be granted after an assignment’s due date. COMMUNICATION: Announcements may be made either in class or electronically. You must arrange for and maintain access to Moodle and to your Puget Sound email throughout the term. If you miss class, you should contact one or more of your classmates to ensure that you receive any needed information EMERGENCY RESPONSE Please review university emergency preparedness, response procedures and a training video posted at www.pugetsound.edu/emergency/. There is a link on the university home page. Familiarize yourself with hall exit doors and the designated gathering area for your class and laboratory buildings. If building evacuation becomes necessary (e.g. earthquake), meet your instructor at the designated gathering area so she/he can account for your presence. Then wait for further instructions. Do not return to the building or classroom until advised by a university emergency response representative. If confronted by an act of violence, be prepared to make quick decisions to protect your safety. Flee the area by running away from the source of danger if you can safely do so. If this is not possible, shelter in place by securing classroom or lab doors and windows, closing blinds, and turning off room lights. Lie on the floor out of sight and away from windows and doors. Place cell phones or pagers on vibrate so that you can receive messages quietly. Wait for further instructions. COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE Course materials are subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17 U.S. Code).
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