September 20 and 23, we’ll be examining Orature — oral-based literature, storytelling, folktales, songs, chants, etc. We’ll be reading these within the context 19th century colonialism and the literary forms that dominate this century, i.e. the written novel. Instead of following our normal pattern of reading and writing about these texts, we’ll be breaking a bit to orally present the readings in class. You will sign up in class for a particular group, and each member will be responsible for one of the following parts:

1. Overview: what is the story about? Include 2-3 important themes or images, and do some sort of an extended reading.
2. Come up with at least 3 main questions that we can discuss as a group. You will be responsible for moderating some discussion during this part, so don’t make them too text specific, as you’ll probably be the only ones to have read your section.
3. Bring in some visuals to give a historical context of the piece(s) you’ve chosen. This can be paintings, art objects, video, etc. Make sure to tie this in with the text itself, that is, don’t simply show us a video and say “this is what this looks like”.

Since we’ll be doing this over two days, we should have plenty of time to discuss all of the works (thought to varying degrees of depth). Keep in mind how orature resists the written language that we are so accustomed to attributed to literature. What features of orality, the spoken word, the spoken transmission of stories conflict with the written word?

Be creative. Make links to your own histories, traditions, experiences with stories (whether this is in a religious sense, a moral sense, or simply your grandparents or parents telling you bedtime stories).

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

1. German, English, Irish Folktales (4)
   Ethan
   Daniel
   Ariana
   John
2. Three Anansi Stories (4)
   Jenee
   Derya
   Nelly
   Alan
3. US Slave Spirituals and Secular Songs (3)
   Brandon
   Jessica
   Sharon

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

1. Malagasy Wisdom Poetry (3)
   Alana
   Ayrton
   Jerry
2. Hawaiian Folktale (3)
   Sebastian
   Henry
   Karina
3. Navajo Ceremony (3)
   Joseph
   Angie
   Valerie