MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FALL 2001 COURSE DESCRIPTION
VOICES BEHIND BARS---HU 6149
INSTRUCTOR: Professor Jean Trounstine PHONE: (978) 656-3121
OFFICE: 5th floor, #30 OFFICE HOURS: W/F 1:15-2:15; T/TH 12-1pm
For those who can�t imagine what it�s like to be
in a cell. lock yourself in a closet. Think of
all the things you enjoy most in life. Now reach
out and ask yourself: Where are they?
Jerome Washington
A BRIGHT SPOT IN THE YARD
The misty, faintly eerie night suggests the
possibility of stars, but the screen window
mesh obscures them. I know from memory
that they exist.
Roni, The Color Concept
Framingham Women's Prison
The warden said to me the other day
(innocently, I think), 'Say etheridge,
why come the black boys don't run off
like the white boys do?'
I lowered my jaw and scratched my head
and said (innocently, I think), 'Well, suh,
ain't for sure, but I reckon it's cause
we ain't got nowhere to run to.
Etheridge Knight
THE ESSENTIAL ETHERIDGE KNIGHT
What can the literature of prison teach us about prisoners, about our society, about ourselves and about our world? These questions will help us focus as we explore the world of prison through short stories, novels, plays, poetry and essays. As we examine texts written by prisoners and by classic writers who have written about prison, I will be encouraging you to look at prison as both a reality and a metaphor in order to come to a deeper understanding about your own freedom. Goals include:
increased responding to what you read (discussion and journal)
better understanding of examining a literary text from a humanistic perspective (discussion and writing)
awareness of great themes in literature such as what is justice? how are we all trapped/free? (texts/papers/journal/discussion
increased understanding of point of view (reading)
developing greater awareness multiculturally and deepening global perspective of prison issues
independent learning (research)
Texts: THE FALCONER by John Cheever, a novel
SHORT EYES by Miguel Pinero, a play
GETTING OUT by Marsha Norman, a play
AMERICA�S PRISONS: Opposing Viewpoints, essays
SHAKESPEARE BEHIND BARS by Jean Trounstine
handouts: see syllabus for titles and authors
Prerequisites and Credits: En 1103 or co-requisite EN1103/
3 credits
Requirements: Papers- 2 essays to be assigned relating to texts.
Any evidence of plagarism results in grade 0
texts for class discussion; occasional quizzes to
checkr peparedness. Buy a folder for handouts
and come prepared for discussion. Readings
are DUE
Journal-Keeping- Personal responses to all
readings and in class videos. Buy a separate
paper folder and lots of paper for this purpose.
Field Trip- Visiting a prison/discussion with inmates
(Required if okayed by prison)
utilizing literature/art/music or drama
Attendance: Unless there are extenuating circumstances, you
may be asked to drop the course if you miss
more than4 classes in the first ten weeks.
Students are responsible for collecting any materials
which
make-up quizzes. Papers drop a grade for each day
late.Your attendance counts.
3 lates= 1 absence.
Evaluation: -2 essays 30%
-Response Journal 30%
-In class discussion/projects
and attendance 20%
-Final Project/Paper 20%
100%
Click on assignments to find out where we go daily.....................
Questions or comments? Send email to jean@trounstine.com