1. Historicism and Cultural Studies/Post Colonial Theory Lit Theory 1-15-2013

2. Goals Content Goal: Students will gain a better understanding of historical and post colonial criticism and theory through discussion and various activities. Language Goal: Students will learn what each school of theory is, as well as become acquainted with the terms that apply to them. Social Goal: Students will begin to make personal connections to the theory and see how they can use it in their everyday lives, while completing each part of the lesson and participating throughout.

3. Free Write How may the time period in which a story is written influence the content, themes, symbols, etc. of that said story? Should the time period influence our reading of the story? Why or why not? How does might a historical perspective when you are writing influence the memoir you will be writing (think of the different environments in each generation)?

4. Historicism and Cultural Studies reconnects a work with the time period in which it was produced identifies the work with the cultural and political movements of the time New historicists do not believe that we can look at history objectively, but rather that we interpret events as products of our time and culture

5. Post Colonial concerned with literature produced by colonial powers and works produced by those who were/are colonized looks at issues of power, economics, politics, religion, and culture and how these elements work in relation to colonial hegemony (western colonizers controlling the colonized). questions the role of the western literary canon and western history as dominant forms of knowledge making. The terms "first-world," "second world," "third world" and "fourth world" nations are critiqued by post-colonial critics because they reinforce the dominant positions of western cultures

6. Post Colonial Theory Via The Lion King Complete a post colonial reading/watching/analysis of The Lion King. What are possible examples of colonial oppression? Are their certain species in power over others? Add your brief analysis to the free write that you completed earlier.

7. Historicism and Cultural Studies Via “I, Too, Sing America” I, Too, Sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed-- I, too, am America. Langston Hughes 1945 Complete a historical/cultural reading of Hughes’ poem How does the text connect to the time period in which it was written? What political/social movements might we connect to the text? If this story was written in modern day, how might we still connect it to the time period in which it was produced? Add your brief analysis to your free write

8. Homework Review the theory handout for tomorrow Read “Minutes of Glory” and “Soldier’s Home” (p. 319-324) for tomorrow and complete a note sheet for each story Quiz tomorrow on all of the content listed above