LIT 224 - Southwestern Literature

1. Analyze Southwestern Mexican-American/Chicano writers’ ideas and styles.
2. Analyze Southwestern American Indian writers’ ideas and styles.
3. Analyze Southwestern Anglo and other writers’ ideas and styles.
4. Compare relevant social, political, environmental themes in different cultures.
5. Write essays for 2,500 words total semester output.

1. Intensive Writing and Critical Inquiry
   1. Producing written discourse in more than one assignment through papers, reports, quizzes, tests, etc., which includes a minimum word standard of 3000 words.
   2. Written assignments emphasize critical inquiry which includes the gathering, interpreting, and evaluating of evidence.
   3. Includes a formal out of class paper of at least 1,500 words which requires critical inquiry and where the writer develops and supports a main idea.  
   4. Explicit writing instruction with timely feedback to help students improve their writing and critical inquiry skills is part of the course’s content.
   5. The evaluation of written assignments must include the overall quality of written work and critical inquiry, as measured by a rubric.
   6. At least 50% of the student’s grade must be based on the written work and critical inquiry assignments.
2. Mexican-American/Chicano Writers of the Southwest
   1. Cultural/historical/geographical background
   2. Significance and influence of these writers
   3. Appreciation of writing styles
   4. Reaction/response papers using critical thinking
   5. Cross-cultural influence
3. American Indian Writers of the Southwest
   1. Cultural/historical/geographical background
   2. Significance and influence of these writers
   3. Appreciation of writing styles
   4. Reaction/response papers using critical thinking
   5. Cross-cultural influences
4. Anglo and Other Writers of the Southwest
   1. Cultural/historical/geographical background
   2. Significance and influence of these writers
   3. Appreciation of writing styles
   4. Reaction/response papers using critical thinking
   5. Cross-cultural influences
5. Compare different cultures
   1. Social Themes
   2. Political Themes
   3. Environmental Themes
6. Written Works
   1. Written works on philosophical, social, political, and environmental comparisons among the Southwestern writers
   2. 2,500 words total semester output