Disussion: "Social Hour" completed by Aug 31 @ 3 PM
Discussion: "American Land and People" completed by Aug 30 @ 3 PM
Quiz: "Early Contacts" completed by Aug 30 @ 3 PM
Bartolome De Las Casas
Early Contacts
To start our exploration of American literature this semester, I have asked you
to begin with NAAL's (Norton Anthology of American Literature) introductory notes "Literature to 1700" (Baym et al. 3-18).
These pages establish a broad historical background for the writings of this
period and discuss the specific literature that was written within this context.
While this is not a history class and I will not demand that you memorize the
information in these pages, a general context for the writings throughout this
class will be an extremely useful aid for trying to interpret the meaning and
appreciate the artistry of these works.
Additionally, this week we'll read excerpts from the writings of two of the Spanish conquistadores who ventured into the Americas.
Bartolome de las Casas
As NAAL's biographical sketch for Bartolome De Las Casas (Baym et al. 38-39) explains, he was a Catholic priest who became disenchanted by the European treatment of indigenous people throughout the Americas. Read about some of the horrors that changed De Las Casas' outlook in "From The Very Brief History of the Devastation of the Indies" (De Las Casas 38-42).
Additionally, the website
makes interesting connections between De Las Casas and developments in Mexico in more recent times while providing biographical information as well. The site is maintained by freelance writer Jim Tuck.
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was shipwrecked in Texas and was one of the first Europeans to travel throughout the North American Southwest and parts of modern-day Mexico. Read background information about Cabeza de Vaca in NAAL's biographical sketch about him (Baym et. al 58-59). Read excerpts of his own story in "From The Relation of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca" (Cabeza de Vaca 58-70).
See the cover of the 1542 edition of
Cabeza de Vaca's book at the
website. Additionally, read briefly about captivity
narratives (follow the link to "Captivities" to see slightly more)--
we'll discuss these types of writings in more detail later. This site
is maintained by the University of Pennsylvania Library.
is a beautiful website produced and maintained by the Southwest Writers Collection at the library of Texas State University-San Marcos. Please browse around the site and gather information on Cabeza de Vaca and his famous book.
Finally, is an interactive quiz that allows you to follow the journey at the same time that you learn more about the world in which Cabeza de Vaca lived. Don't worry about getting the answers wrong on this quiz, just take a look and see what you can learn.
Activities
(Due Dates/Times for all Activities are on the right side of the page)
Click on the "Discussion" link in the course's D2L navigation bar (navbar) and complete the following assignment on the "Social Hour" discussion board. You will not received a grade for this posting, but I would very much like you to do it-- consider it "brownie points":
In an online class, it is easy to feel alone and distant from your teacher and classmates even when you are exchanging discussion messages with them, chatting, and commenting on one another's essays.For this reason, I'd like us all to introduce ourselves.
Consider including some of these ideas in your introduction:
the name you like to be called, especially if it is different from your "official" name
your educational interests
your recreational interests
any information about your family that you feel comfortable sharing
general background information that you feel comfortable sharing
your expectations and goals for this class
your experience with online learning
other interesting things that I've forgotten to list here
So you'll be easy to find, please put your name in the subject line of your posting.
I also encourage you to read the introductions of all of your classmates and respond to them if you find interesting ideas or points of connection.
Click on the "Discussion" link in the course's D2L navigation bar (navbar) and answer the following question on the "American Land and People" discussion board:
The attitudes toward and descriptions of the land and the
people in America were prominent subjects in the writings of early
European visitors. Using specific words and sentences from their
writings, explain the attitudes of de las Casas and Cabeza de Vaca to
the land and the people of America, and show where their writings are
similar or different in this respect.
Click on the "Quizzes" link in the course's D2L navigation bar (navbar) and complete the "Early Contacts" quiz.
Please contact me if you have any questions about this week's readings, web resources, or activities.
