This module’s topic is: Dictatorships in the Caribbean. We will also continue to review the four characteristics of Testimonio Literature. https://www.mediafire.com/file/ps6qvh0dg5kiy1k/Reyita.pdf/f Original Papers

This module’s topic is: Dictatorships in the Caribbean. We will also continue to review the four characteristics of Testimonio Literature. 

mediafire.com/file/v6w6mngxgp9midy/Reyita-+Life+of+black+Cuban+woman+in+the+twentieth+century+–+Maria+de+los+Reyes+Castillo+Bueno;+Daisy+Rubiera+Castillo;+–+Library+Ebook,+2015+jan+–+9780822325796+–+77987a3f61f5e9a0cb86fec4a96a275f+–+Anna’s+Archive.pdf/file

There is no lecture for this module – instead, you will take the time to read carefully, and collect evidence from Chapter 3 about Cuban history and Testimonio characteristics. 

We will focus on how the testimonio genre portrays Cuban history. 

While you read:

For this module, we will focus on one part of Cuban history, as it represented by the testimonio genre, in the story told by Reyita, and written by her daughter Daisy Rubiera Castillo. 

Chapter 3 presents a little bit of history about Cuba. 

You can read more about Cuban history in the book’s Introduction and post in the Student Lounge about the Introduction for extra credit. 

For this post, read Chapter 3, and take notes on: 

1. the Batista Regime
2. The Cuban Revolution.
3. While you read, underline or write down any words that you can associate with Reyita’s point of view/opinion about main historical events.
4. Take notes in two columns or categories.
   1. In one column or category, list the historical events described in Chapter 3.
   2. In the second column or category, list any words in the testimonio (not in the introduction) that qualify as Reyita’s point of view, her opinion about the historical event.

Now, you are ready to post your Discussion Board Post. 

In the discussion board post, you will focus on how the testimonio genre portrays Cuban history.

You will argue whether testimonio literature (NOT Reyita, but the text, the literature) is an appropriate genre to portray historical events, or not. 

With the genre of testimonio, one discovers a perspective of history from the point of view of the oppressed, and a subject “I” that speaks for a “we” or a larger group of people, in this case, a larger group of Cuban people, or perhaps, Latin Americans, and Americans. 

The genre of testimonio also allows readers to learn about history with colloquialisms, and some secrets are kept hidden, to remind readers that the person who tells the story has power, and agency. She gets to choose what her audience (the readers who will read the book, and her daughter who listens to her story) is allowed or not allowed to know about her personal life, and about her people. 

In Chapter 3 of Life of Reyita, the testimonio told by Reyita and written by her daughter, sheds light on dictatorships in the Caribbean, particularly in Cuba. Here are the questions to answer in your Discussion Board Post. Pick one ore more, or answer all, as long as you have 200 words, specific examples from Chapter 3. Refer to pp. 116-124. Write page numbers down and refer to specific details in your post. Recall the main characteristics oftestimonio literature, and include at least two characteristics in this discussion post about Dictatorships in the Caribbean. Remember, we are not here to judge history, or judge Reyita, we only analyze the text. 

Include a thesis statement in your discussion board post: In this post I will argue that testimonio literature is/is not an appropriate genre to portray historical events, because ____________. Address one or more of the questions below, and the following questions in your commentary. Make use of the notes that you took while you read, the two columns of facts and opinion/judgment words that you found in the text.  List choices of words and refer to evidence from the testimonio to support your answer. Keep your personal impressions out of this discussion. Remember, we are not here to judge history, or judge Reyita, or other characters. We only analyze the text.  

• Based on what you read in Chapter 3, what are some major historical events in the mid twentieth century in Cuba (1950s)?
• How are major historical events in the mid twentieth century in Cuba (1950s) presented–what are some words that qualify the historical events, chosen by Reyita, that help you distinguish her opinion about one or two major events?
• Can you list the chronology of events, from the Batista regime to the Cuban Revolution?
• In your own words, can you narrate the timeline of events, and use the testimonio Life of Reyita as a reference?
• Can testimonio literature offer facts, or is it unreliable information?
• What does this testimonio teach you about the Batista regime?
• List facts about the Batista regime; keep your personal impressions out of this discussion (116; 119). What facts does the testimonio provide on the Batista Regime, if any, or are they all personal impressions of Reyita, that are not valid as historical information?
• Trace Reyita’s family’s steps in 1958 and after, whatever you can find that has to do with the Cuban Revolution. (119-21; bottom of p.129; 137-140). What does this testimonio teach you about the Cuban Revolution? List facts about the revolution; keep your personal impressions out of this discussion.Remember, we are not here to judge history, or judge Reyita, or other characters. We only analyze the text. What facts does the testimonio provide on the Cuban Revolution, if any, or are they all personal impressions of Reyita, that are not valid as historical information?
• Can you find any evidence in the text that shows what is Reyita’s opinion on a) the Batista regime, b) the 26th of July movement and c) the changes after that?
• Does the testimonio as it is told by Reyita, and written by her daughter, present an appreciation for the Cuban Revolution, or for the Batista regime prior to the Revolution?

At the end of your post, include one discussion question that relates specifically to the reading, and answer two classmates’ questions. If the classmate’s question is too generic, an IF question, a “what would you do” question, a hypothetical question, or a personal question, do not answer their question. Instead, look for classmates’ questions that ask you to discuss/analyze the text directly, and answer their discussion question by making at least one specific reference to the testimonio. 

In your discussion question to the class and in your answer to your classmates’ questions:

1. focus on the reading–the goal is to get the class to interpret what we all read, read between the lines, ask each other how you understood xyz or what xyz symbolizes or how it relates to one of the class topics.
2. Hypothetical questions and generic questions will not count as discussion questions. For example, do not ask: What would happen if…? Why do you think this person decided to do…..? What do you think about what this person did….?
3. Take your time to write a thoughtful and relevant question. You can refer to a specific page in the chapter, and a specific concept from the lecture. For example, you can ask: On page …. what does Reyita reveal about….? On page …. what did you learn about…. in the Caribbean? When this person said/did …. is it an example of the impact of colonialism? Is ….. an example of …. in the reading about the Caribbean?
4. Stay focused on the content (the information revealed) or the form (how the story is told).
5. Steer clear of comments about how the story makes you feel; or your personal judgement of the characters; or generic comments about the Caribbean.
6. Be specific – refer to a particular part of the reading.

To earn as many points as you can for the lesson module, follow the instructions in the participation rubric:

To earn 10 points per response, consider the following guidelines:

•    Post a substantial and clear response within the module indicated. (200 words, minimum)

•    Include specific details, examples and quotes from the assigned readings.

•    Offer an original interpretation of the evidence provided. Rely on your ideas!

•    Include a discussion question for students to answer/ think about. 

•    Agree with classmates’ arguments or challenge their posts in a constructive a respectful and constructive manner; answer classmates’ question(s).

•    Post a minimum of two comments to students’ responses per lesson module.