Discussion: "Native American Speeches" completed by Sept 27 @
3 PM
Chat: Mondays @ 7PM & Wednesdays @ 8 AM
Evaluation Webpage One: completed by Oct 12 @ 3 PM
John Woolman
Evaluation Webpage One
Please begin building your Evaluation Webpage One this week. You may refer to any of the authors we have read from Weeks 1-5 as you respond to the
assignment.
Your webpage should be emailed to me as an attachment by Oct 12 at 3 PM.
If you have any questions about the assignment, please post them in the Ask Gill Discussion. Others may have the same questions and may find your question and my response helpful.
The Eighteenth Century
This week we move away from the earliest British colonies in North America and into the 18th century, the century that eventually saw the creation of a new nation on the North American continent and the intensification of the arguments about the principles and beliefs with which this nation would be built.
We also hear more from the original inhabitants of North America and their responses to, and criticisms of, the growing European presence on the continent
John Woolman
The writings of John Woolman (Baym et al. 610-611) offer an intriguing opposing argument to many of the early writings of religously inspired European colonists in North America. As a Quaker, Woolman is well versed in the Christian Bible and uses many of its passages to support arguments which were not yet popular among most North American colonists. Read about his life and ideas in "From The Journal of John Woolman" (Woolman 611-618) and read about his unpopular ideas in "From Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes" (Woolman 618-626).
Prof. Paul Reuben's offers his take on Woolman on his website . There is a brief listing of Woolman's ideas, the Quaker idea of the "Inner Light", and the form of a Quaker journal.
Samson Occom
Not to put too fine a point on it, but there doesn't seem any way to get around the conclusion that Samson Occom tried to do the right thing as he understood it and generally got screwed because he was a Native America. To see for yourself, take a look at the biographical information (Baym et al.646-647) and his writing "A Short Narrative of My Life" (Occom 647-652).
For more ideas about Occom's life and writing, see
Another interesting website related to Occom is Joanna Brooks'
This thoughtful essay (be sure to read all 4 pages) combines a history of Occom and New England Native Americans with reflections on a visit to the Mohegan Sun casino. The author offers a number of connections between the 18th century and the 21st for contemplation.
Collected Native American Speeches
A packet of Native American speeches from The World Turned Upside Down, edited by Colin G. Calloway, is available on reserve in the MCTC library. It is the only thing in the 2231 folder, so just copy everything in that folder.
You will need a student ID to check these materials out; go to the main library desk and ask for the packet of Native American speeches under my name. They are only available for use in the library. In other words, you can check them out from the desk and read them in library. You can make copies on the copy machines in the library if you would like your own copy. For information about their hours of operation, the library's home page is
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 navbar and answer the following question on the "Woolman" discussion board:
Considering the structure (here I mean how he builds and supports his points) and language (here I mean his word choices and use of poetic devices) of Woolman's argument in "Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes," what aspects of the writing did you find compelling, provocative, or convincing? Why? Be sure to use specific quotes and references to structure and language when making your points. Comment (either to agree or disagree) on at least one other posting in this discussion topic, but be sure to do so in a respectful manner.
Click on the "Discussion" link in the course's D2L navbar and answer the following question on the "Native American Speeches" discussion board:
How are the Native American writers and speakers making their points in ways similar to and different from the European Americans we have read so far? What poetic devices or other literary devices are they using in their responses? Use some specific examples from the Native American writers and from the European American writers we have read this semester as you craft your answer. Connect the ideas in your response to at least one other response in this discussion topic.
Click the "Chat" link in the D2L navbar and go to the "ENGL 2231" chat.
Please contact me if you have any questions about this week's readings, web resources, or activities.
