First-Year Seminar (101-6-21)

Topic

A Dark Rock Surged Upon': Navigating Race, Class,

Instructors

Mary E Pattillo
847/491-3409
1860 Campus Dr. Crowe 5-111

Meeting Info

Parkes Hall 224: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

Writer and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston wrote the following about her time at Barnard College in the 1920s: "Among the thousand white persons, I am a dark rock surged upon, overcome by a creamy sea. I am surged upon and overswept, but through it all, I remain myself." A first-year seminar gives students the tools to manage the "surge" of college, both socioemotionally and academically. All of you have left the familiarity of your families, neighborhoods, and high schools to enter a new context, one with new forms of diversity, hierarchy, division, and opportunity for connections. Even though she was in college and writing nearly 100 years ago, Hurston is still an awesome guide as you navigate issues of race, gender, class, and academic belonging at Northwestern. Some topics we will explore include: privilege, politics, love, friendship, curiosity, perseverance, grades, work, and community. Hurston's vast body of work will be the basis for your own analysis, reflections and writing.

Class Attributes

WCAS First-Year Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for First Year & Sophomore only
Add Consent: Department Consent Required
Drop Consent: Department Consent Required