AFRS204-01: BLACK CREATIVE ARTS

WEEKLY READING REACTIONS FORMAT GUIDELINES

You will write reading responses during certain weeks that respond to the reading material. Your entries should average 2-3 pages each. Reading reactions entries should be more than just a descriptive summary of the material. Rather, the reading responses will also be a place to reflect on your own thoughts and questions about the specific material at hand. The reading reactions are a means by which you can gauge and give credit for doing the reading/keeping up with course material, so be sure to discuss specific points and issues. Lengths provided are a minimum suggestion.

To receive full credit for your reading reactions, you will need to address each of the following:

  • Each reading must be mentioned in your response:

Example: In Feldstein’s “More Than Just a Jazz Performer”: Nina Simone’s Border Crossing”, the author discusses the ways in which …

  1. Summarize the main points of each assigned reading in about 2-3 paragraphs. (For example, if there are two readings per week, you should have at least 2-3 summarizing paragraphs for each assigned reading). In your summary, make sure to articulate what the author is arguing, and discuss the major findings.

 

  1. How does the reading discuss how the artist’s identity and politics are shaped by their gender, race, sexuality, etc? Be specific and provide examples. (1-2 paragraphs)

 

  1. Be able to discuss how the reading material contributes to understanding Black Creative Arts, and in particular how these issues may have shaped the experience of Black women in general. (2-3 sentences)

 

  1. In your opinion, list the five most important things you learned from the readings for this week. (Bullet points)

 

  1. Identify an interesting or powerful quote/idea from the reading and discuss why you choose this quote, and why you see it as significant. (Quote and explain the significance in 1-2 sentences)