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