EN210 WORLD LITERATURE 3 CREDIT HOURS
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Madeline Seltzer Spring 2008
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
WORLD LITERATURE introduces the student to four major literary genres: Drama, Film, Fiction (short stories and novels), and Poetry as encountered in 4 major bodies of contemporary literature: African American, South American, Indian, and Native American.
COURSE PHILOSOPHY:
The student will learn the characteristics that distinguish these literary genres and the important literary terms and techniques necessary to become a more sensitive, empathetic, astute, and critical reader, able to appreciate even what at first he or she may not enjoy. In addition, the student will experience the diversity and universality inherent in the expanded literary canon represented in these four bodies of world literature. Students will develop heightened global awareness, empathy, tolerance, and understanding by being exposed to various customs, points of view, values, and ideas in the drama, film, fiction, and poetry of diverse cultures. Through this literature, they will also explore universal themes that transcend national, cultural, ethnic, religious, and racial barriers. As part of the curriculum of a Catholic college committed to education in values like peace, justice, and concern for others, this course heightens our empathy, tolerance, and awareness of our responsibilities in society.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
A student completing this course will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the distinguishing characteristics of four major literary genres: drama, film, fiction, and poetry as well as major literary terms and techniques.
2. Demonstrate the ability to analyze drama, film, fiction, and poetry, by breaking down
literary works into their components.
3. Demonstrate the ability to respond empathetically to the literature of diverse cultures.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the distinguishing as well as the common characteristics of each body of literature studied.
5. Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively in collaborative groups.
STUDENT OUTCOMES
1. To demonstrate effective communication skills:
a. Measure: Student will communicate knowledge of course material in writing in reaction paragraphs to study questions, critical papers, and midterm and final
exams.
a. Standard: 70% of students will perform on a C or higher level of proficiency in
writing reaction paragraphs to study questions, critical papers, and midterm and
final exams.
b. Measure: Student will communicate knowledge of course material in speaking in
collaborative group assignments, class discussions, and presentations.
b. Standard: 70% of students will perform on a C or higher level of proficiency
in collaborative group assignments, class discussions, and presentations.
2. To demonstrate effective reading and critical thinking skills:
a. Measure: Student will hand in selected study questions to ensure that student has completed reading after each assignment.
a. Standard: 70% of students will perform on a C or higher level of proficiency in
answering selected study questions to ensure that student has completed reading
after each assignment
b. Measure: Student will critically analyze assigned literary works in answering study questions and collaborative learning questions; in writing critical papers; and in completing mid-term and final exams.
b. Standard: 70% of students will perform on a C or higher level of proficiency in
answering study questions and collaborative learning questions; in writing critical papers; and in completing mid-term and final exams.
3. To understand the ethical and spiritual issues explored through literature:
Measure: Student will explore the ethical and spiritual ideas of literary works in writing reaction paragraphs, in answering study questions and collaborative learning questions, in discussing these ideas in collaborative groups and in class, in presenting ideas to the class, in writing critical papers, and
in completing midterm and final exams.
Standard: 70% of students will demonstrate the ability to explore the ethical and
spiritual ideas of literary works on a C or higher level of proficiency in
writing reaction paragraphs, in answering study questions and collaborative learning questions, in discussing these ideas in collaborative groups and in class, in presenting ideas to the class, in writing critical papers, and
in completing midterm and final exams.
OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT:
Week 1 Introduction
to Literature—Techniques of Analysis
View and discuss Blue Eyed
Read Randall Jarrell’s “Death of the Ball Turret Gunner”
Assignments due next week: Begin reading Sister of My Heart and answering
study questions.
Week 2 Techniques of Analysis
View Behind the Sun
Assignments
due next week: Continue reading Sister of My Heart and answering
study questions. Answer
study questions on Behind the Sun.
Week 3 Activities
on Behind the Sun and Sister of My Heart.
Assignments due next
week: Begin working on Critical
Paper #1. Complete
study questions on Sister of My Heart and Behind the Sun.
Week 4 Activities
on Behind the Sun and Sister of My Heart.
Assignments due next week: Continue working on Critical Paper #1 and Class
Presentations.
Week 5 View A Raisin in the Sun.
Assignments due next week: Answer study questions on A Raisin
in the Sun.
Week 6 Review for Midterm Exam.
Class Presentations.
Assignments for next week: Critical Paper #1 due. Study for Midterm Exam.
Week 7 Midterm
Examination.
Critical Paper #1 due.
Assignments for next week: Begin reading Beloved and answering study questions.
Week 8 Activities
on Raisin in the Sun.
Assignments for next week: Continue reading Beloved and answering study questions.
Week 9 Activities
on Beloved.
Assignments
for next week: Finish reading Beloved and answering study
questions.
Week 10 Activities on Beloved.
Assignments
for next week: Begin work on Critical
Paper #2. Begin reading
Indian Killer and answering study questions.
Week 11
Activities on Indian Killer.
Assignments for next week: Continue working on Critical Paper #2.
Continue reading Indian Killer and answering study
questions.
Week 12 Activities
on Indian Killer.
Assignments for next week : Continue working on Critical Paper #2.
Read selected poetry.
Week 13 Activities on poetry.
Assignments for next week: Continue working on Critical Paper #.
Week 14 Workshop on Literary Analysis.
Class Presentations.
Review for Final Exam.
Week 15 Critical Paper #2 due
Final Examination.
Approaches to Teaching:
1. Lectures
2. Discussion
3. Collaborative Learning Activities
4. Writing Activities
5. Student Presentations
These approaches to teaching facilitate the students’ development of communication, reading, and critical thinking skills and the student’s exploration of ethical and spiritual issues. Lectures and discussions provide modeling for these skills while collaborative learning, writing activities, and student presentations provide hands-on practice for the student in developing and using them.
Procedures for Evaluation and Grading:
1. Reaction paragraphs to assigned study questions.
2. 2 Critical Papers
3. Midterm and Final Exams
4. Participation in all activities
5. Class Presentations
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend every class. Participation in class activities will be part of their final grade. Any more than two (2) weeks of absences will result in a lowered final grade. The student is responsible for all material covered during missed classes.
Office Hours:
Tuesday
Email address: mseltzer@manor.edu Telephone number: 885-2360, EXT 250
Required Texts:
Sister of My Heart, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Beloved, Toni Morrison
Indian Killer,
Academic Honesty Policy:
Plagiarism is a serious offense with serious consequences from failing the essay, to failing the course, to being expelled from the college. Students are responsible for making sure that they don’t plagiarize.