ENGLISH 208-01: TOPICS IN GLOBAL LITERATURE (3 CR.)
Instructor: Assistant Professor
Christian Moraru
Spring 2003
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McIver 135: TR 8:00 AM-9:15 AM
Office: McIver 112
Office Hours: TR 11:00 AM-
Office Phone: (336) 334-3564
Dept. of English Phone: (336) 334-5311
Home Phone: (336) 834-9866
________________________________________________________________
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a Topics
in Global Literature course that deals specifically with the rise of what
critics have identified as “global consciousness.” Thus, our course has a
global focus twice. First, it has a worldly, crosscultural
and transnational scope, covering as it does a range of literary and cultural
traditions, both Western and nonwestern, which are represented by relevant
fictional narratives, i.e., novels. Second, these works are very recent and
speak to a growing feeling worldwide that we have entered a new age, the age of
“time-space compression,” “network society,” and the “global village,” in which
peoples, cultures, and communities around the world are more interconnected,
more mobile, but also perhaps more vulnerable than ever before. Studied authors
include Michel Houellebecq (French), Bharati-Mukherjee (Bengali-American), Andrei Codrescu
(Romanian-American), Maryse Condé
(West Indian-Guadalupean), David Malouf
(Australian), Milan Kundera (Czech living in France),
and Salman Rushdie (Indian living in the U.S). All
texts are in English or in English translation.
FORMAT, EXPECTATIONS, AND LEARNING GOALS: This is not a
survey course per se, but rather a thematic survey of contemporary fiction
where the materials explored are lodged at the crossroads of the postcolonial,
the transnational, and the postmodern. The approach will be cross-cultural and
comparative in that we will see how these texts talk to each other across
national, linguistic, geographic, and cultural divides and how, in doing so,
they foreground the very notion of boundary. The course combines introductory
lectures, class discussion, and group work.
At the
completion of this course, the students will be able to identify and understand
varied characteristics of literature in the “global age,” its main forms and
topics. They will be able to apply techniques of literary analysis to the
texts; use literary study to develop skills in careful reading and clear
writing; demonstrate understanding of the diverse social and historical contexts
in which literary texts have been written and interpreted. Also, the course is
broad and foundational in nature; it does not assume extensive previous
knowledge.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Examinations: There will be a midterm (65-min.)
and a longer, final examination (both in-class). In all likelihood, the latter
will be more comprehensive and consequently will carry more weight. We will
prepare both carefully--the entire class is required to participate in the
midterm and final review of the course, selection of topics, and rehearsals. We
will talk about exam format and grading in larger detail before the midterm.
See the exam schedule in the syllabus below.
2. Quizzes and Brief Responses: Occasionally, you
will be given quizzes and brief in-class responses testing reading
comprehension and requiring answers to questions we will find particularly
relevant.
3. Attendance and Participation: Both are expected
and will be reflected in the final grade (see below). I expect you to come to
class with the assignments for the day completed and ready to participate
orally, individually or in your group.
4. Group Activities: You will be assigned to groups
of 4-5 members, which will complete various brief assignments. Usually, groups
discuss a specific material or problem and then designate a member to report
their conclusions back to the rest of the class. Reports will be oral and
rather informal, about 10 minutes long, and their main role is to help us speed
up debates. Group work will be graded, too. Students in one group will get the
same grade regardless of who gives the presentation.
CONFERENCES: Please meet with me during my office hours or
make an appointment to discuss your work or any aspect of the course. I plan to
have at least one round of “formal” conferences during the semester. I urge you
to make a first appointment early on to talk about the course and what you hope
to accomplish in it.
COURSE POLICIES:
1. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use
of others’ materials both in form (wording) and substance (ideas). Any paper
bearing your name signifies that you are the author, namely, that the words and
the ideas are yours, with exceptions indicated by quotations marks and
paraphrases. Evidence of plagiarism will result in one or more of the following:
a failing grade for the assignment, an “F” for the whole course, and/or a
report filed with the dean. Also, consult the UNCG policies on plagiarism.
2. Absences: You are allowed no more than 3 absences
during the semester (which you must document afterwards), for illnesses,
religious holidays, and emergencies preventing you from attending. Any
unjustified absences will seriously affect your grade; 3 undocumented
absences may result in your being asked to drop the course. If you are the
victim of an emergency or serious illness, please stay in touch with me by
e-mail or phone. Do not hesitate to call me at my home number. In addition,
because tardiness disrupts class, too, be aware that coming in late 3 times
will count as an absence.
GRADING: No incompletes.
To pass the course, you must take the exams, come to class regularly, and
participate in group work and discussion. The final grade breakdown is as
follows:
Participation (including presentations, group work, quizzes
and in-class responses) 20%
Midterm 35%
Final 45%
Please note the high percentage rewarding consistent and
articulated class participation. Also, this is the instructor’s view of the
final grade; on the first class, I would like to discuss these percentages with
you and possibly make some adjustments depending on your input.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Mukherjee,
Bharati, Desirable Daughters.
Houellebecq,
Michel. Whatever.
Codrescu, Andrei. Messiah.
Condé,
Maryse. I, Tituba,
Black Witch of
Kundera,
Malouf,
David. Remembering
Rushdie, Salman. Fury.
Note: Do not purchase other editions.
COURSE SYLLABUS:
Week
1
Tue.
Jan 14 Introduction to the course:
goals, requirements, policies, and
evaluation of student work.
Our
class: the survey and the thematic focus. What is a “global topic”? Presenting the syllabus.
Thu.
Jan 16 Mukherjee,
Introduction
Mukherjee video
Desirable
Daughters 1-42
Week
2
Tue.
Jan 21 Desirable Daughters
43-136
Thu.
Jan 23 Desirable Daughters
137-210
Week
3
Tue.
Jan 28 Desirable Daughters
210-257
Thu.
Jan 30 Desirable Daughters
258-310
Week
4
Tue.
Feb 4 Malouf,
Introduction
Remembering
Thu.
Feb 6 Remembering
Week
5
Tue.
Feb 11 Remembering
Thu.
Feb 13 Remembering
Week
6
Tue.
Feb 18 Houellebecq,
Introduction
Whatever
1-47
Thu.
Feb 20 Whatever 51-95
Week
7
Tue.
Feb 25 Whatever 96-155
Thu.
Feb 27 preparing the midterm
examination (I): suggestions for exam topics due in class.
Note:
Start reading the Codrescu novel and try to read as much as you can—before
March 18.
Tue.
Mar 4 Preparing
the midterm examination (II)
Midterm evaluations
Thu.
Mar 6 Midterm examination (in-class)
Week
9
Tue.
Mar 11 Spring Break: no class
Thu.
Mar 13 Spring Break: no class
Week
10
Tue.
Mar 18 Discussing
the midterm
Codrescu, Introduction & Video
Messiah 1-102
Thu.
Mar 20 Messiah 103-200
Week
11
Tue.
Mar 25 Messiah 201-283
Thu.
Mar 27 Messiah 284-366
Week
12
Tue.
Apr 1 Rushdie, Introduction and
Video
Fury
1-91
Thu.
Apr 3 Fury 95-160
Week
13
Tue.
Apr 8 Fury 161-259
Thu.
Apr 10 Condé,
Introduction
I,
Tituba 1-73
Week
14
Tue.
Apr 15 I, Tituba
74-131
Thu.
Apr 17 I, Tituba
132-179
Week
15
Tue.
Apr 22 Kundera,
Introduction
Ignorance
1-64
Thu.
Apr 24 Ignorance 64-132
Week
16
Tue.
Apr 29 Ignorance 132-195
Thu.
May 1 Preparing the final examination
(suggestions for the exam due in class) (I)
Week
17
Tue.
May 6 Last meeting
Preparing the final examination (II)
Course overview
Final evaluations
Tue.
May 13,
Note: I would like to think of this syllabus as final.
However, I welcome your input, and we might be able to make some changes as we
go along.