A study of representative works of world literature from the seventeenth century to the present. The course emphasizes the study and consideration of the literary, cultural, and human significance of selected great works of the Western and non-Western literary traditions, including women's, minority, and ethnic literature from around the world. An important goal of the class is to promote an understanding of the works in their cultural/historical contexts and of the enduring human values which unite the different literary traditions. Readings include originals and translations; novels, short stories, drama, poetry, and essays. In addition to the regularly scheduled classes, students are required to attend two out-of-class events such as lectures, poetry/fiction readings, films, plays, exhibits, concerts or other live performances relevant to the contents and goals of the course.
The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces, Volume 2, Expanded Edition, eds. Maynard Mack et al. (Norton, 1995).
All faculty and students must adhere to the policies and requirements outlined in this syllabus as well as all directives and guidelines issued by the World Literature Program. In addition to the core requirements and prescribed options, instructors may teach other works provided they are featured in the textbooks. While instructors are free to determine the use of class time in their sections, it is strongly recommended that at least one week of class be spent on each of the major required works. In addition to discussion of the readings, the semester schedule allows for time to be used in a variety of ways including examinations, in-class essays, discussion of optional and additional readings, catch-up time, development of particular works or backgrounds, student presentations, film/video screenings, etc. All students in this course are required to write a minimum of 20 to 25 pages in the form of analytical papers, in-class essays, reflective journals, essay exams, etc. Students must also take a final examination including an outcomes-assessment essay question. The outcomes-assessment essay must account for at least 30% of the final exam grade; the exam question should ask students to develop a thesis connected to the readings and the course's guiding themes. In addition to the final exam and required writing, students' grades should also take into account performance in work such as other exams, quizzes, writing exercises, class participation, extra-credit work, and attendance to class and out-of-class events. Instructors should ask all students to attend during the semester at least two out-of-class events such as relevant lectures, poetry/fiction readings, film/videotape screenings, plays, exhibits, or live performances. Instructors are free to choose which out-of-class events to require from their students; the World Literature Program will recommend appropriate events each term. Instructors should provide make-up options for students unable to attend particular events. Instructors choosing to teach texts not included in the anthology are responsible for ordering their own texts and desk copies. In every case of such orders, inexpensive editions must be chosen. Texts ordered in addition to the anthology should not exceed two in number.
All sections of the course must teach all texts in this section in their entirety. These texts constitute the common core of the course and should therefore be taught with special care and thoroughness. At least one week of classes should be devoted to the discussion of each one of these texts, together with their respective historical, literary, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds:
In making their selections from the following sets of options, instructors
should strive to create a balanced reading list featuring a wide range of
genres (poetry, drama, essay, short narrative, novel); works from all the
four centuries covered in the course; works by authors from diverse backgrounds,
genders, and racial/ethnic origins; and coverage of as many different cultures
and literary traditions as possible. Whenever possible, instructors should
attempt to go beyond the minimum requirements by including additional readings
in their syllabi. For works in these sections, instructors may determine
the amount of class time devoted to their discussion.
A). Choose at least two of the following:
B) CHINESE LITERATURE & JAPANESE LITERATURE. Choose at least one of the following:
C) INDIAN LITERATURE, NEAR EASTERN LITERATURE, Choose at least one of the following:
D) Choose at least one of the following:
E) Choose at least one of the following: