Assignment Due by 11:55 P.M. Eastern Time, Sunday, June 5th.

Child Immigrants to America:

 Part 1:

·       Make sure you have carefully read the novel, A Step from Heaven and all material on links created on the Moodle page.

On the Scholastic site – read through all of the immigration links on the top under the heading, and read the five immigrant children’s stories on the left.

·       Read through the materials in the four links in the weekly block; we will be referring to aspects of them next week, as well.

·        This week’s assignment will mostly pertain to the novel due this week; next week we will focus on a broader range of immigrants in America and their stories.

Background information:

IMMIGRATION: Immigration is not a new phenomenon in the history of the whole world – but it has become an issue of particular significance within the past century as large numbers of people leave their homelands seeking a better life in other places. Think about what would make an individual, a family or group of people leave their homeland to establish a new life elsewhere.

·        Issues to think about as you read and review the materials for this week:

o   The problems that might be encountered in the process of immigration – e.g. language and communication, cultural and religious differences, ethnic and racial intolerances etc.

o   How do the inhabitants respond to migrants?

o   How do migrants respond to the experience?

o   Speculate about the lifestyle of poor working class people and contrast this with the lifestyle of the wealthy urbanized population.

o   Consider why Korean people might want to migrate to a western country.

See a reminder below about expectations for weekly written postings for this writing intensive course.

A Step from Heaven is a beautifully written, articulate look at the adversity often endured by immigrants who have misconceptions about America and its economic opportunities and what they hope to find in their newly adopted country. I have taught this book in various classes in both a children’s literature class in the English department as well as in AMST. The discussions have been lively and passionate, and I will miss that live interaction, so I will have our written discussions focus on some of, what have been, the most engaging and thought provoking aspects of the novel. I love this book, and I hope you have too. Such a beautifully written book.

Upon completion of reading all materials assigned, post a written response to the following two prompts for part 1:

Written response, prompt 1a:

·        I love how the chapter titles are metaphors of the subjects/messages in each of the chapters. One that resonated with me is the chapter, “Strong is a Man.” Re-read that chapter (pp. 65-69) to familiarize yourself with the domestic abuse inflicted by Apa.

o   This saddened me deeply. My idea of what constitutes being a man is juxtaposed to Apa’s behavior and beliefs as he inflicts his “views” on Joon.

o   For prompt 1,

§  Identify and discuss Apa’s version of masculinity.

§  How does Apa view himself in relation to his view of what a man should be?

§  Consider what you think “makes a man,” and discuss your thoughts

§  Use specific textual support to compare and contrast your thoughts. You should not only include the textual examples, but be sure to write the page numbers, as well.

Written response, prompt 1b:

o   Discuss friendships in this novel. Most of the characters are shown as some point with a friend, and Young Ju’s friendship leads to the climax of the novel. How are the characters different or further developed when seen in relation to their friends?

Part 2:

·        Watch the amazing movie, In America, as indicated on the syllabus. It is an hour and 45 minutes in length, and it gets better with every minute. This semi-biographical film is realistic, heart-wrenching and an honest look at the trials and tribulations of a new immigrant family to America. The movie is available for streaming on Amazon and other on-line sources.

·        As you watch the movie, pay close attention to details, and I recommend taking notes for the quiz. Also, read the prompts (below) before watching the movie to guide you and help formulate and organize your thoughts as you watch. Importantly – enjoy this beautiful film. Below are many of the questions I stated last week in the introduction. Keep these in mind as you watch as they pertain to In America.:

o   The problems that might be encountered in the process of immigration – e.g. language and communication, cultural and religious differences, ethnic and racial intolerances etc.

o   How do the inhabitants respond to migrants?

o   How do migrants respond to the experience?

o   Speculate about the lifestyle of poor working class people and contrast this with the lifestyle of the wealthy urbanized population.

 See a reminder below about expectations for weekly written postings for this writing intensive course.

Upon completion of reading all materials assigned, post a written response to the following two prompts for part 2:

Written response, prompt 2a: I have copy/pasted various excerpts (and their sources) from different reviews on this film. Read through all of them and decide which resonates most with you. Each is unique and poignant in its own way. By number, identify which you are responding to and write a response to it. You may also want to briefly discuss why you chose the one you did.

1.    This movie, from moment to moment, feels small, almost anecdotal. It is only afterward that it starts to grow into something at once unassuming and in its own way grand.

http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9507e3d81f3bf935a15752c1a9659c8b63

“Grief discriminates against no one,” Stephanie Ericsson has written. “It kills. Maims. And cripples. It is the ashes from which the phoenix rises. And the mettle of rebirth. It returns life to the living dead. It teaches that there is nothing absolutely true or untrue. It assures the living that we know nothing for certain. It humbles. It shrouds. It blackens. It enlightens. Grief will make a new person out of you, if it doesn’t kill you in the making.” http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/films.php?id=6801

3.   “In America” is not unsentimental about its new arrivals (the movie has a warm heart and frankly wants to move us), but it is perceptive about the countless ways in which it is hard to be poor and a stranger in a new land http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/in-america-2003

4.   It’s not the typical story of turn-of-the-century immigrants facing prejudice and struggle, but a modern story, set in the 1980s and involving new sets of problems, such as racism and the drug addiction in the building and the neighborhood. It is also about the way poverty humiliates those who have always prided themselves on being able to cope. http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/in-america-2003

Written response, prompt 2b:

o   As we have now looked at two different immigrant families, consider how they and their circumstances were similar and how they were different. In an essay format, compare and contrast at least three significant ways these families, characters, their circumstances, etc. were similar and not so similar.

Comments to other students’ postings:

·        Read through the other students’ postings and comment with thoughtful responses and/or follow-up inquiries to at least 2 other students.

I look forward to reading and commenting on your thoughtful responses this week.

Note on the written submission:

For the written portions of this assignment, respond to and follow guidelines as stipulated on the syllabus and writing expectations document. As a reminder, this is a writing intensive class, and students are expected to write at least 1,200-1,600 words total for all submitted postings (not including written responses for quizzes). Write an original response (essay/paragraph format) to the questions provided that stimulates further discussion and produces thought provoking questions. I encourage you to also respond to other students’ postings, especially if you interpret something differently. I am expecting to see engagement among students – this is a factor in your (weekly) grades. Support your thoughts with what is provided in the texts, and use your best judgment pertaining to your posting.

Note on the quiz:

·        Prior to taking the quiz, be sure that you have viewed and read all of the information as indicated. Before starting the on-line quiz make sure you understand all of the guidelines as stipulated – you will not be able to take a “do-over” if you make a mistake. Also, although I have no way of monitoring this, the quizzes are not intended to be open note – these quizzes are created with the belief that you have read and critically reviewed all assigned material; subsequently, the quizzes will all be timed. For this 14 question quiz, you are given 30 minutes. Please use your time wisely. There all multiple choice questions, and ALL materials due this week are subject to being on the quiz. Also, as stipulated on the introduction before beginning the quiz, you may not go back and answer questions, so if you leave one blank, you will not be able to return to previous questions. Your overall scores for the assessment will be posted on Moodle following the close date of this assignment.

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Summation of Assignments:

·        Post a response to prompt 2a

·        Post a response to prompt 2b

·        Engage with other students in on-line postings (at least 2 different students and 2 different postings)

·        Take quiz

Upcoming:

·        The book, Three Little Words is due (next week)