THE
LEARNING CURVE Fall
2008
Art History, Archaeology, Astronomy, History, Literature, Philosophy, Music
One Land, Many Voices
An American Literary Perspective
The strength of our great nation can be traced to the courage and resiliency of its people. Join us as we examine the unique cultural mosaic of America through the words of its writers. The stories of Native Americans, African Americans, and immigrants who bravely left their homelands to follow their dreams will illuminate our multi-layered history, remind us of the vision that inspired our founding fathers, and guide us toward our future in this land with many voices.
Week 1: Native Americans
“We All Belong to One Family”
- speech by Tecumseh (1810)
“An Indian’s Views of Indian Affairs”
- essay by Chief Joseph (1879)
“Yellow Woman”
- short story from The Man to Send Rain Clouds by Leslie Marmon Silko (1974)
Week 2: African Americans
“Kidnapping and Enslavement” from The Narrative of the Interesting Life of Oloudah Equiano by Gustavus Vassa (1789)
Selected poetry by Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Claude McKay
Week 3: Swedish, Norwegian, and Bohemian-Americans
My Antonia by Willa Cather (1918)
Selections from Giants in the Earth by Ole Rolvaag (1924)
Selected poetry by Carl Sandburg
Week 4: Jewish Americans
“America and I” -short story from The Open Cage by Anna Yezierska (1979)
“The Soul of a Landlord” - short story from Jews Without Money by Michael Gold (1930)
Week 5: Irish Americans
Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane (1893)
“Jim O’Neill” from The Short Stories of James T. Farrell (1934)
Poem: “No Irish Need Apply” - Anonymous
Week 6: Italian Americans
“Christ in Concrete” from Christ in Concrete by Pietro di Donato (1937)
Selected poetry by Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Gregory Corso
Week 7: Asian Americans
“Two Kinds” from The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (1989)
“Slant-Eyed Americans” - short story from Yokohoma, California by Toshio Mori (1949)
Selected poetry by Chinese immigrants from Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island, 1910 - 1940 (1980)
Week 8: Hispanic Americans
“Alien Turf” from Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas (1967)
Selected poetry by Omar Salinas and Felipo Luciano
Tucson Session:
When: Wednesdays, Oct 15 - Dec 10, 9:30-11:30am (No class on November 26 )
Where: The Hampton Inn 5950 N. Oracle Rd.
Oro Valley Session:
When: Fridays, Oct 17 - Dec 12, 9:30-11:30am
(No class on November 28 )
Where: Resurrection Lutheran Church,
11575 N. First Ave.
Cost: $145 (8 sessions, includes extensive reading packet)
Instructor:
William A. Fry, Ph.D., taught literature and writing at a Maryland college for more than thirty years. He served as Chair of the Literature Department and developed a series of literary travel-study tours, both domestic and international. This award-winning instructor and scholar was named Outstanding Professor for the State of Maryland in 1987 and received Professor of the Year Award in 1990. Since retiring to Tucson in 2001, Dr. Fry has developed and taught a wide variety of literature courses for The Learning Curve in addition to his perennial offering: The Literary Road Trip. Dr. Fry served as co-leader of literary/art tours to Taos/Santa Fe, New England and California and has participated in the “Food for Thought” luncheon/lecture series.
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