Syllabus
English 2110: World Literature, Spring 2013
Section 03: MW 2:00-3:15PM, Arts & Sciences 368
Section 04: MW 3:30-4:45PM, Arts & Sciences 368
Professor
Dr. Alex E. Blazer
faculty.gcsu.edu/webdav/alex_blazer/
478.445.0964
Office Hours: MW 4:55-5:25PM Arts & Sciences 330, T 1:00-1:45PM Arts & Sciences 330, R 1:00-1:45PM Blackbird, and by appointment
This section of world literature will interpret twentieth-century fiction and poetry from Western Europe, the Caribbean and South America, Africa, and the Middle East through cultural, ethical, and (sometimes) postcolonial lenses. This course's Academic Assessment page describes our outcomes:
- Appraise significant works from a variety of cultural traditions;
- Examine the historical, social, cultural, and intellectual contexts of
these works; - Distinguish qualities of genre and the role of culture in shaping
genre; - Articulate reasoned analysis of texts and contexts in correct,
effective oral and written form.
The above specific outcomes for this course address, in part, the expected outcomes for the Core. Note: An additional student learning outcome concerning multiple ethical perspectives is currently under development at the departmental level. This course fulfills 3 semester hours of Area C. Humanities, Ethics, and Fine Arts in the core curriculum and assesses the following outcomes:
- Students will be able to explain how texts and works of art in the humanities address human experiences.
- Students will be able to evaluate multiple perspectives on ethical issues.
required (Amazon or GCSU Bookstore)
Achebe, Things Fall Apart
Allende, The House of the Spirits
Blackburn, Ethics: A Very Short Introduction
Coetzee, Disgrace
Puchner, ed. et al., The Norton Anthology of World Literature, 3rd ed., Vol. F
required (online)
various poems, stories, and articles
Assignments and Grade Distribution
quizzes, 10%
You will take quizzes designed to make sure you're keeping up with the reading.
close reading paper, 15%
You will pair up to write a 5-6 page close reading paper and 5-7 minute presentation analyzing a key passage in a single work of literature.
ethics paper, 15%
You will write a 5-6 page paper interpreting the ethical issue of a work of literature.
group, 10%
Groups of 4-5 will research a novel or book of poetry, compose an annotated bibliography, and formally present their findings to the class
two exams, 25% each
You will take two exams, the first in class and the second take home, that require you to compare and contrast issues and themes among works of literature.
Class Preparation and Participation
I expect you to come to class having read, annotated, and reviewed the assigned reading. Moreover, you should prepare at least two comments and two questions for each reading. We're going to be working with challenging texts; therefore, we'll all benefit from sharing our ideas and questions. If I feel that you're not participating because you're not keeping up with the reading, I will give quizzes.
Office Hours and Email
I encourage you to stop by my office hours to discuss any aspect of the course. I'm happy to answer minor questions such as due dates over email, but I prefer face-to-face conversations for more substantive topics like papers and exams. Please use etiquette in both email and in person.
Technology
We will be using GeorgiaVIEW for assignment submission. Check your university email for course-related messages. Use an online backup or cloud storage service such as Dropbox to save your work.
Attendance
Any student who misses seven or more classes for any reason (excused or unexcused) will automatically failure of the course. There will be a one letter final grade deduction for every unexcused absence beyond three. I suggest you use your three days both cautiously and wisely; and make sure you sign the attendance sheets. Habitual tardies, consistently leaving class early, texting, and surfing the internet will be treated as absences. Unexcused absences include work, family obligations, and scheduled doctor's appointments. Excused absences include a death in one's immediate family, one's own medical emergency, religious observance, and participation in a college-sponsored activity. If you have a medical condition or an extracurricular activity that you anticipate will cause you to miss more than four days of class, I suggest you drop this section or risk failure. You can check your attendance online. A note about religious observances: Students are permitted to miss class in observance of religious holidays and other activities observed by a religious group of which the student is a member without academic penalty. Exercising of one's rights under this policy is subject to the GC Honor Code. Students who miss class in observance of a religious holiday or event are required to make up the coursework missed as a result from the absence. The nature of the make-up assignments and the deadline for completion of such assignments are at the sole discretion of the instructor. Failure to follow the prescribed procedures voids all student rights under this policy. The full policy and prescribed procedures can be found here.
MLA Style and Length Requirements
While in-class exams, discussion board responses, informal/journal writing, and peer review may be informally formatted, formal assignments and take-home exams must adhere to the Modern Language Association (MLA) style. One-third of a letter grade will be deducted from a formal paper or take-home exam for problems in each of the following three categories, for a possible one letter grade deduction total: 1) header, heading, and title, 2) margins, font, and line-spacing, and 3) quotation and citation format. A formal paper or take-home exam will be penalized one-third of a letter grade if it does not end at least halfway down on the minimum page length while implementing 12 pt Times New Roman font, double-spacing, and 1" margins. Each additional page short of the minimum requirement will result in an a additional one-third letter grade penalty. Before you turn in a formal paper, make sure your work follows MLA style by using the checklist on the MLA style handout. I encourage students to use my MS Word template.
Late Assignments
There will be a one letter assignment grade deduction per day (not class period) for any assignment that is turned in late. I give short extensions if you request one for a valid need at least one day before the assignment is due. I will inform you via email if I cannot open an electronically submitted assignment; however, your assignment will be considered late until you submit it in a file I can open. Failing to submit an assignment that is worth 15% or more of the course grade within a five days of its due date will result in automatic failure of the course. Failing to submit a final exam or final paper within two days of its due date will result in automatic failure of the course.
Academic Honesty
The integrity of students and their written and oral work is a critical component of the academic process. The Honor Code defines plagiarism as "presenting as one's own work the words or ideas of an author or fellow student. Students should document quotes through quotation marks and footnotes or other accepted citation methods. Ignorance of these rules concerning plagiarism is not an excuse. When in doubt, students should seek clarification from the professor who made the assignment." The submission of another's work as one's own is plagiarism and will be dealt with using the procedures outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog. Allowing another student to copy one’s own work is considered cheating; and submitting the same paper in two classes (recycling or double-dipping) is dishonest. As plagiarism is not tolerated at GCSU, any student found guilty of substantial, willful plagiarism or dishonesty will fail the assignment and the course. Click here to see how I have dealt with plagiarists in the past. This course uses plagiarism prevention technology from TurnItIn. The papers may be retained by the service for the sole purpose of checking for plagiarized content in future student submissions.
Passing or Failing of the Course
There are three ways to fail the course: 1) failing to regularly attend class, 2) plagiarizing, 3) failing an assignment that is worth 15% or more of the course grade, be it from poor quality, lateness of submission, or a combination of poor quality and lateness. By contrast, students who regularly attend class, complete their work with academic integrity, and submit assignments on time will pass the course.
Assistance for Student Needs Related to Disability
If you have a disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and physical accessibility. Disability Services, a unit of the GCSU Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations to ensure equal access to all GCSU programs and facilities. Course requirements will not be waived, but accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For documentation requirements and for additional information, we recommend that you contact Disability Services located in Lanier Hall at 478-445-5931 or 478-445-4233.
The Writing Center
The Writing Center is a free service available to all members of the university community. Consultants assist writers in the writing process, from conception and organization of compositions to revision to documentation of research. Located in Lanier Hall 209, the Center is open Monday through Friday. Call 445-3370 or email writingcr@gcsu.edu for more information.
Fire Drills
Fire drills will be conducted annually. In the event of a fire alarm, students will exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit. Learn the floor plan and exits of the building. Do not use elevators. If you encounter heavy smoke, crawl on the floor so as to gain fresh air. Assist disabled persons and others if possible without endangering your own life. Assemble for a head count on the front lawn of main campus or other designated assembly area. For more information on other emergencies, click here.
Student Opinion Surveys
Given the technological sophistication of Georgia College students, the student opinion survey is being delivered through an online process. Your constructive feedback plays an indispensable role in shaping quality education at Georgia College. All responses are completely confidential and your name is not stored with your responses in any way. In addition, instructors will not see any results of the opinion survey until after final grades are submitted to the University. An invitation to complete the online opinion survey is distributed to students near the end of the semester. Your participation in this very important process is greatly appreciated.
This schedule is subject to change, so check back in class and online for possible revisions.
Introductions |
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Western Europe Conrad, Heart of Darkness (Puchner 14-78) [Poland/England] |
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Conrad, concluded Celan, poetry (Puchner 708-16 and GeorgiaVIEW) [Romania/Ukraine] |
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Celan, concluded Blackburn, "Introduction" and "Seven Threats to Ethics" (Blackburn 1-48) |
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No Class: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday |
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Blackburn, "Some Ethical Ideas" and "Foundations" (Blackburn 49-116) Scholarly Journal Article on Celan or Conrad In Class Activity: Annotations and Ethics of Conrad and Celan |
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South America & The Caribbean Márquez, "Death Constant Beyond Love" (Puchner 986-92) [Colombia] Naipaul, "One Out of Many" (Puchner 1006-28) [Trinidad/England] |
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Kincaid, "Girl" (Puchner 1144-6) [Antigua/USA] Diaz, "Drown" (Puchner 1240-8), "How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie" (GeorgiaVIEW), and "No Face" (GeorgiaVIEW) [Dominican Republic/USA] |
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Neruda, poetry (Puchner 583-98 and Poetry Foundation) [Chile] |
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Neruda, continued |
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Walcott, poetry (Puchner 939-76 and Poetry Foundation) [Saint Lucia] |
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Walcott, continued |
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Allende, The House of the Spirits (Allende 1-102) [Chile] |
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Allende, continued (Allende 103-208) |
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No Class: Conferences and Reading Day |
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Allende, concluded (Allende 209-433) |
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Wa Thiang'o, "Wedding at the Cross" (Puchner 1037-48) and "A Meeting in the Dark" (GeorgiaVIEW) [Kenya] |
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Tyson, "Postcolonial Criticism" (GeorgiaVIEW) Achebe, Things Fall Apart (Achebe 1-74) |
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Achebe, continued (Achebe 75-148) |
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Achebe, concluded (Achebe 149-209) |
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Aidoo, "Two Sisters" (Puchner 993-1004) Head, "The Deep River: A Story of Ancient Tribal Migration" (Puchner 1098-1104) [Botswana] |
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No Class: Spring Break |
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No Class: Spring Break |
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Coetzee, Disgrace (Coetzee 1-74) |
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Writing Day: Bring Your Laptops |
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Coetzee, concluded (Coetzee 151-220) |
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The Middle East Mahfouz, "Zaabalawi" (Puchner 882-91) [Egypt] Pamuk, "To Look Out the Window" (Puchner 1275-92) [Turkey] |
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El Saadawi, "In Camera" (Puchner 1104-15) [Egypt] Al-Shaykh, "The Women's Swimming Pool" (1165-71) [Lebanon] |
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Darwish, poetry (Puchner 892-4 and Poetry Foundation) [Palestine] |
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Darwish, continued |
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