INCARCERATED WOMEN: EXPRESSIVE ARTS AND REHABILITATION
Fall 2007. Designators: ENGL 320, PEAC 350, DANT 397, THRT 597
Dr. Mary E. Martin
Office—208 Bancroft E-mail: martinme@winthrop.edu
Web address: http://faculty.winthrop.edu\martinme
Office phone: 323-4554 Home phone: 366-7795
Office Hours: MW 12:00 PM-1:00 PM; T/TH 3:30-4:30 PM, and by appointment
Class Meetings:
TR 2:00-3:15 PM, Johnson 235
KEEP THIS ALL SEMESTER!
Course Description and Goals:
Central Questions: Is capital punishment the most effective punishment for capital offenders? Are expressive arts activities in prison effective aspects of rehabilitation?
While studying the complex issue of capital punishment, the expressive arts component will begin with activities with women from Eco House in Charlotte, a work release program for women emerging from prison. This community service aspect will compliment the reading and writing assignments during the semester. Students will also develop a performance project based on their collaborations with the women at Eco House that will be performed at the Winthrop Dance Concert. The focus on women prisoners stems from the inequality in the prison system. According to Dr. Kelly James in the Sociology Department, women in prison are especially stigmatized because they have broken traditional female roles by being incarcerated, thereby facing harder adjustments when out of prison.
Goals:
1. To research and construct written and oral analysis of the implications and contexts of punishment and of rehabilitation in the prison system.
2. To experience whether and/or how the arts can promote hope and healing.
3. To incorporate creative writing, analytical and argumentative writing as well as experience developing and performing original material..
Texts/Required Supplies:
1. Dead Man Walking, Sister Helen Prejean.
2. Couldn’t Keep It To Myself, Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institute.
3. From May to December, Pat MacEnulty. (To be purchased directly from the author.)
Web Resources
The English Department Home Page: http://www.winthrop.edu/english.
The Writing Center Web Page: www.winthrop.edu/wcenter.
Additional information for many English courses: http://www.winthrop.edu/english/core.htm.
Grades:
Your semester grade will depend for the most part on the quality and quantity of writing and research and creative activities you complete. However, your participation in workshops and class discussions will also contribute. Grades will be assigned according to the following “A” to “F” system: 94-100=A; 91-93=A-; 88-90=B+; 84-87=B; 81-83=B-; 78-80=C+; 74-77=C; 71-73=C-; 68-70=D+; 64-67=D; 61-63=D-; 0-60=F.
I will grade essay assignments according to the Department of English rubric found at http://www.winthrop.edu/english/rubric.htm. Please print out a copy of this guideline for frequent reference.
Journal responses 10%
Researched Rogerian Argument 20%
Researched Classical Argument 20%
Community Service Component 20%
Performance Project Component 20%
Presentation attendance 10%
Class Requirements:
All assignments must be completed in order to receive credit for the class. I will post assignments and class calendars on my web page. Check it frequently .
Prepare all out of class assignments, unless otherwise directed, according to the MLA style demonstrated in the Prentice Hall Reference Guide to Grammar and Usage. You must use a typewriter, word processor, or computer with clear, legible print or ink. Papers must be double-spaced with a one inch margin on all four sides. Refer to page 402 in the Prentice Hall Guide for a template for the first page; no extra cover sheet is necessary. And don’t forget, students who visit the Writing Center regularly will experience the benefits of more accomplished drafts.
Assignments are expected at the beginning of class on the due date. Any assignments turned in after the start of class will be considered late and will incur a penalty of one lowered letter grade. Late papers will be penalized one letter grade for each class day late. If you are having difficulty completing your assignment, you must see or talk to me before the assignment is due. I do not accept assignments through email. You must turn in hard copies.
Be an active member of class. This is a collaborative class; we will be discussing and examining complex issues together, sharing in group exercises, and completing other work designed to help you understand the issues more deeply. Not participating will hurt your grade. Ask and answer well-considered questions during class. Above all, do the reading and keep up the workload.
Journals: You will complete a weekly response to class activities and/or directed prompts. Your entries should be housed in a light weight spiral notebook that will be turned in a few times during the semester.
Rogerian Argument: You will write this assignment based on Sister Helen Prejean’s experiences in Dead Man Walking, and will be due at midterm. Length—4-6 pages, typed, MLA format. A more detailed assignment will be given later.
Classical Argument: You will write a classical argument stemming from discussion, research, and experience on the effectiveness of expressive arts in rehabilitation in the prison system which will be due at the Final Exam. Length--5-7 pages, typed, MLA format. A more detailed assignment will be given later.
Community Service Component: You will be required to participate in three out of the five workshops that have been organized for the women at Eco House in Charlotte. All of the workshops occur on the weekends and at the beginning of the semester. Participating in more than three workshops will give you extra credit.
Performance Project Component: You are required to be part of the collaborative project based on your own creative input as well as the writings from the women at Eco House. A portion of this project will be presented at the Oratory on Sunday, October 28, at 6:00 PM , for Sister Helen Prejean and others. The completed project will be presented at the Winthrop Dance Concert November 14-18. In order to receive full credit for this component, you must participate in all rehearsals which will occur during class time for the most part. A few out of class rehearsals may be called.
Presentation Attendance: You are required to attend Sister Helen Prejean's talk, Monday, October 29, and the play based on her book at Johnson Theater, October 31-November 4. You will receive extra credit for any other special events focusing on capital punishment and organized by Peace and Justice Studies.
Attendance:
Each student is allowed three absences. This is a collaborative class and not just a lecture course. We will develop the learning and creating community together. If you miss over four classes, you will not pass the class. Being late to class three times equals one absence. THERE ARE NO EXCUSED ABSENCES. If you are sleeping during class or put your head down on the desk, you will be counted absent. Please turn off all cell phones and pagers while class is in session. All cell phones should be removed from sight as well. Note: a few class times may be cancelled because of your commitment to required activities outside of class. I will notify the class of those cancellations ahead of time.
Plagiarism:
In this class, an essay that presents the ideas and writing of someone else as if they were the writer’s own will receive an “F,” and the student will fail the course. Also, the drafts and other preparations for your essay should reflect the content of that essay. I will not grade a paper that has no history, no preparations or drafts turned in with the assignment. The University Policy on Plagiarism is explained at http://www.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/Judicial/judcode.htm. under section V, “Academic Misconduct.”
Students with Disabilities:
Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a disability and need classroom accommodations, please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290, as soon as possible. Once you have your Professor Notification Form, please tell me so that I am aware of your accommodations well before the first {test/paper/assignment}.